And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
Ver. 1. And Abram went up out of Egypt.] There must be likewise daily ascensions in our hearts, out of the Egypt of this world, to the heavenly Canaan, where Christ our altar is. The Church is compared to "pillars of smoke" ascending. Son 3:6 Black she is as smoke in regard of infirmities, yet hath a principle to carry her upwards. Who is this that ascends out of this Egypt below with pillars of smoke, elationibus fumi, that is, with her affections, thoughts, desires, upward, heavenward? Our Edward I had a mighty desire to go to the Holy Land; and because he was hindered, he gave his son a charge upon his deathbed, to carry his heart thither, and prepared 32,000 English pounds to that purpose. a The children of faithful Abram, though their bodies be on earth, yet they take much pains, and are at great charge, to get up their hearts to heaven. Hence they are called "eagles," Mat 24:28 for their high soaring, and are said to have "noses like the tower of Lebanon," Son 7:4 for their singular sagacity in resenting and smelling after Christ, the true all quickening body.
a Act. and Mon.