altar which he built, in the wood which he laid thereon in order, in the fire which he took with him to kindle it, in these outward elements he saw not more clearly the means of destroying life, than in God's power he acknowledged the ability to preserve it. And he stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son," (Gen. 22. 10.) feeling not more surely that fearful weapon to be the instrument of immediate death, than firmly trusting that God could by his word restore the life he at the first had given. He accounted "that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."

For no sooner had he given proof of the submission of his will to the will and word of God, than a voice from heaven was heard to say, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." (Gen. 22. 12.) Wherein we see the true end

text informs us, "that God was able to raise him up even from the dead." Thus then we may conceive him to have reasoned It is God that promised. It was He, who from a mother who was "past age," (ver. 11.) and from myself, who was "as good as dead," (ver. 12.) brought to life this promised son. And cannot He, whose word so wonderfully came to pass in the very birth of Isaac, cannot He fulfil it also in his death; and even from the ashes of the burnt offering of my son, raise up a seed in which all men shall be blessed? Doubtless he is able. Surely He hath promised. Surely He will perform. And as He hath commanded me to sacrifice my son, so will He make good his word by raising my son from the dead.

See then on what principle his mind was satisfied. Observe on what ground of persuasion he spared not from death his son, and in this most affecting sense his "only son" Isaac. It was this; that he had as lively a conviction of the things unseen which God spake of, as of things sensible which his own eyes beheld. In the

altar which he built, in the wood which he laid thereon in order, in the fire which he took with him to kindle it, in these outward elements he saw not more clearly the means of destroying life, than in God's power he acknowledged the ability to preserve it. And he stretched forth his hand and took the knife to slay his son," (Gen. 22. 10.) feeling not more surely that fearful weapon to be the instrument of immediate death, than firmly trusting that God could by his word restore the life he at the first had given. He accounted “that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."

For no sooner had he given proof of the submission of his will to the will and word of God, than a voice from heaven was heard to say, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." (Gen. 22. 12.) Wherein we see the true end

ing us any commandment at all. Not that He needs our service, but that it is good for ourselves to offer it. Not that the sacrifice is of any value to Him; but that the disposition to make it is profitable to ourselves. Not that there is any worth in any thing that we can do, nor that it is of any importance to the Almighty whether the thing commanded be done or no, provided there be the full, genuine, sincere purpose to do it, the willing heart, the entire devotion, the love by which faith worketh, the love which is by faith in Jesus Christ. This it is that God chiefly looks for. And for the attainment of this He demands of us no further sacrifice, inflicts no more sorrow, suffering, or loss, than He knows to be necessary and good. Let but this devotedness truly appear to Him who seeth, be it remembered, the inmost heart; let but this be made good in his sight; and the great end of our trial is accomplished. For our own satisfaction it is necessary that we should not purpose only, but do. For we see not, we know not, our own hearts. And for

the fulfilment of God's commands we must also do, and persevere in well doing, as far as He in his providence permits. But many times, where his end has been gained by the genuine obedience of the heart, He bars our road to the good we purpose, and so teaches that He needs it not; or shews us that He feels for our distress, by sparing us the sacrifice on which we have resolved. Abraham is counted to have slain his son: and Isaac lives to be the stay of his age, the father of a countless posterity.

Only then be ye willing to yield; and, behold, God is willing to give. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matth. 6. 33.) "Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth." (Col. 3. 2.) These latter, all their glories, all their comforts, all their satisfaction, renounce heartily for Christ's sake; whereinsoever He bids, renounce. And these latter, so much of them as is good for you, so much of them as is