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 withheld 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.
IL. 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 relinquished, 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 practise 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 obedience 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 sentiments which induced Abraham to comply with the divine orders, if you resolve that if you were placed in his situation, you would act differently, you are no Christians; for there is no principle more plainly or unequivocally asserted in the word of God than this: that a deliberate refusal to obey any one command of the Lord, is a proof that our obedience in other respects did not spring from a regard for his "Whoauthority, but from motives purely human. soever," saith St. James," shall keep the whole law, and yet offend," deliberately and resolvedly, "in

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one point, he is guilty of all." Let your obedience then be universal; extending to those things most painful, as well as to those most pleasing to nature. Be as ready to sacrifice as to cherish an Isaac, if God should command you.

2. Christian obedience must be willing. All murmurs must be silenced, and the heart acquiesce in the duty. This is a second characteristic of Christian obedience taught us by Abraham. It is not sufficient to perform those actions which God bids us, if we do them with repinings and regrets; if like slaves under the rod of a tyrant we are driven involuntarily to do what we hate: these are not the servants whom God approves; he rewards those only who love him; and it is one of the first effects of love to him, to make us delight to perform his commands. Behold Abraham once more: he received an order at which nature shuddered; yet though he feels as a father, he submits as a believer. The severity of the trial does not excite any improper sentiment against God; it is a bitter cup, but still it is a cup given by the hand of the Father, and he prepares to drink it with willingness and resignation. The succours of grace assuage the pains of nature, and he says with a composed, a resigned, a willing soul, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good." 3. Christian obedience must be prompt. All unnecessary delay must be carefully avoided; the moment God speaks, the injunction must be complied with. To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Behold this exemplified in Abraham: God had commanded him to sacrifice his son; he does not delay the execution of this order till he might, in the course of time, become more reconciled to a separation that was rendered

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doubly poignant, by being unexpected; for " Abraham rose up early in the morning," and prepared immediately to execute the painful duty assigned to him. Imitate his example, Christians; when the Lord calls, do not say with those who neglected the gracious invitations of the Saviour, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father:" your first duty is to obey the voice of your Master.

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II. Whilst Christians are thus instructed, 'sinners are reproved by this subject. The God who spakę to Abraham, speaks to you also. He does not, it is true, address you immediately; but through his word, his spirit, his ministers, and his providence; yet his address is not on this account less real or less binding. He said to Abraham, “ Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and offer him as a burnt-offering unto me." He cries to you, Sinners, seize those iniquities which you love; your sensuality, your worldly-mindedness, your injustice, your revenge, your intemperance, your unholy passions and affections; slay them that they may not lead you to destruction; let the fire of divine love penetrate to your hearts, and consume them entirely,' that they may be a burnt-offering to the Lord. Ah, my brethren! Abraham had a harder trial than this, yet he did not hesitate to perform it; and will you, who live under the clear light of the gospel, which shows you obligations to obey God, which Abraham knew but faintly; will you, from whom nothing is demanded half so rending to the heart as what was demanded from him-tell me, will you fall so far beneath this father of the faithful in obeying the voice of God? Imitate this holy patriarch, or he will rise up against you in the day of judgment.

III. And you, mourners, who are weeping over the tombs of those who were dear to you, come and behold in Abraham a model and consoler. Were you more attached to the parent, the child, the friend whom you lament, than this tenderest of fathers was to this most beloved of sons: yet he resigns him to death with calmness and submission. . Do you wish to know what was that powerful principle which enabled him thus to bear so afflictive a separation? You are taught it by the apostle Paul:

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By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac." Believing in the power and wisdom of God, he knew that all things were wisely ordered by him, and that the highest duty, as well as the greatest wisdom, of feeble, short-sighted man, is to submit unreservedly to omniscience, guided by fatherly af fection. Faith taught him that the glories of the unseen world were reserved for his pious son; and that, however dark and perplexing the schemes of Providence may appear, "it shall always be well with the righteous." Cultivate this faith in the power, the wisdom, and the goodness of God; it will be a prop to your soul when all earthly supports shall fail; and by it you will be enabled to offer up your friends to God, when he calls for them, with resignation and calmness.

But, my brethren, all these lessons are taught us with greater force, when we contemplate Him, of whom Isaac was so illustrious a type. Will you learn the characteristics of obedience, the necessity of renouncing sin, the duty of submitting without murmuring to the most afflictive providences? Leave Moriah and ascend to Calvary: behold there the true Isaac ascending the hill, bearing the wood on which he is to be offered as a sacrifice; behold him