ing his pains, and performing for him the last offices of affection: but this feeble consolation must be denied him, för Isaac must be slain, must die by violence. Even then it might be possible that Abraham might remove at a distance from this bloody spectacle, and avoid beholding the last agonies of his son: No-this alleviation is not granted to him; he must not only behold Isaac struggling with the pangs of death, but must himself inflict the mortal blow; the hand that, it would seem, should only be employed in his defence, must be dyed with his gushing blood; the final groans of an only son must vibrate through the ears of a parent who has wounded him; and after he is cold and senseless, this parent must light the wood on which he is extended, and behold the body of his offspring. slowly reduced to ashes. Ah! holy patriarch, hadst thou been less devoted to God, what various pleas mightest thou have urged to excuse thy compliance with this painful duty. But, my brethren, Abraham was not of the number of those persons who suppose that they may violate the laws of God, because they cannot perfectly comprehend the reasons of them : as soon as he knew the will of God clearly and explicitly, he prepared not to argue, but to obey it without hesitancy or delay. He stifles the feelings of nature; he suppresses the suggestions of doubt; he goes to perform the command of his Lord, and says with resignation-Not my will, but thine be done." And Abraham rose up early in the morn

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ing, and saddled his ass," (for this, in the earlier ages of the world, was the manner in which persons of the greatest distinction travelled) "and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and clave the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up and went towards the place of which God had told him and on the third day he lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off." What sorrows must have wrung the heart of the parent during these three mournful days. Whilst Isaac was addressing him with filial affection and tenderness, or speaking of the wonders that had been wrought in their behalf by the God whom they worshipped, what keen regrets must have agitated the afflicted father in reflecting that in so short a period this affectionate child must be sunk in the grave by his arm. Nevertheless he still prosecutes his journey with a determined soul. His trial was indeed great; but he was not crushed by it, for God who inflicted it upon him, always wisely proportions the trials of his children to the strength of grace which they have received. Having arrived at the foot of the mount, he left the servants there," and took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand and a knife, and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, my father: And he said, here am I, my son. And he said, behold the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burntoffering." What force is there in this tender ad

dress and this simple question of Isaac "The heart "And alone can comment upon these words," Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt-offering: so they went both of them together."

Having ascended the mount and built the altar, Abraham "bound Isaac his son and laid him upon it." It will be recollected that Isaac had now ar rived to years of discretion, and was probably about the age of thirty-three; he must of consequence have been bound by his own consent. Nothing then could be more affecting than their interview when, having arrived to the appointed place, Abraham informed his son of the orders he had received from God; and forgetting the Father in the believer, urges him unreservedly to submit to the will of the All-Merciful. Isaac yields, submits without a murmur, and prepares to lay down his life with calmness at the command of God.

The final embrace has been given and received; the solemn and affecting farewell has been mutually pronounced; Isaac is extended upon the wood; the arm of Abraham is raised to strike the fatal blow; in another moment the knife will be dyed with the blood of his son. O christians, it is in such seasons of gloom and perplexity when all hope is relinquished, that our God appears for our sucCour. God by his angel called to him from heaven,

and said, "Abraham, Abraham! lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not with-held thy son, thine only son from me." A victim is provided in the place of Isaac; God renews his covenant with the faithful parent and confirms it by an oath; and Abraham returns home rejoicing in these new displays of divine goodness. It is always thus, my brethren; when an obedience to the commands of God seems to lead us to misery and death, we find peace and joy whilst in following the world which promises us prosperity and delight, we find death, eternal death.

This interesting history affords us,

I. An instruction for Christians.

II. A reproof to sinners.

III. A consolation for mourners.

I. Christians, you are here taught some of the characteristics of that obedience which you owe to God. It should, like that of Abraham, be universal, willing, prompt.

1. Our obedience to the commands of God must be universal. Our dearest gratifications, must be

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welinquished, the severest pains endured rather than violate his orders. Having learned the will of our Lord, we must prepare to perform it, even though our hearts are to be torn by the sacrifice of an Isaac. How many are there, my brethren, who forget this great characteristic of christian obedience: they are willing to obey God to a certain point, but beyond this they say to him with the guests of the parable, "I pray thee have me excused." They will be willing, for instance, to acknowledge the truth of religion and to contend warmly against its enemies; but to practice it sincerely, this is making too great a sacrifice. They will be willing to abstain from gross crimes, but not to perform painful duties": they will be willing to attend to all the external rites of religion, but to demand from them vital heartfelt piety, is to demand too much: they will be willing to comply with all fashionable virtues, but not with those that are contemned by the world. There are innumerable other such examples of partial obe. dience which will immediately occur to you. How different a lesson are we taught by Abraham : he is commanded to perform an action in comparison with which he would with joy lay down his own life; an action which seemed contrary to the character of God, the spirit of his religion, and the promises he had made. Yet God commands-all scruples must be silenced-Isaac must be sacrificed. God, my brethren, does not command us now to offer up our children to him, but if you have not the same sen.