VII. When God repented that he had made man, he destroyed all flesh. But afterwards He was sorry, and made a covenant with mankind that He would not again destroy all the living. For the filth of the flesh God destroyed a rich city. God hates the wicked as “hell that stinks.” Especially harlotry and blasphemy. Nothing is hidden from God. God is the ground of all deeds. He honours the man that is honest and whole. But for deeds of shame He destroys the mighty ones. VIII. Abraham is sitting before his house-door under a green oak. He sees three men coming along, and goes toward them. He entreats them to rest awhile, that he may wash their feet, and bring them a morsel of bread. Abraham commands Sarah to make some cakes quickly, and tells his servant to seethe a tender kid. Abraham appears bare-headed before his guests. He casts a clean cloth on the green, and sets before them cakes, butter, milk, and pottage. God praises his friend’s feast, and after the meat is removed, He tells Abraham that Sarah shall bear him a son. Sarah, who is behind the door, laughs in unbelief. God tells Abraham that Sarah laughs at His words. Sarah denies that she laughed. Abraham’s guests set out towards Sodom, two miles from Mamre. The patriarch accompanies them. God determines to reveal to Abraham his secret purposes. IX. He informs him of the destruction about to fall upon the cities of the plain, for their great wickedness, in abusing the gifts bestowed upon them. The ordinance of marriage had been made for them, but they foully set it at nought. The flame of love. Therefore shall they be destroyed as an example to all men for ever. Abraham is full of fear, and asks God whether the “sinful and the sinless” are to suffer together. Whether he will spare the cities provided fifty righteous are found in them? For the sake of fifty the cities shall be spared. The patriarch beseeches God to spare the city for the sake of forty-five righteous. For the lack of five the cities shall not be destroyed. For forty the cities shall be spared. Abraham entreats God’s forbearance for his speech. Thirty righteous, found in the cities, shall save them from destruction. For the sake of twenty guiltless ones God will release the rest. Or if ten only should be found pure. The patriarch intercedes for Lot. Beseeches Him to “temper His ire,” and then departs weeping for sorrow.