every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, is acknowledged as the friend of God, and heir of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." Knowledge, professions, fiery zeal, or costly offerings may be found, and often are, where humble, and acceptable piety has no place. True religion consists in supreme love to God, and affectionate, and unreserved devotedness to his service and glory. When this obedience is rendered, and only then will God say, "now I know that thou fearest God." 5. Have we the believing, and obedient spirit of Abraham? These examples of faith, self denial, and holy living are recorded, and presented to us not only to instruct, and encourage as examples; but as tests by which we are to judge of our own character. We are to be "imitators of those who through faith, and patience obtained the honor which comes from God, and now inherit the promises," and thus ascertain that we also love, and fear God, and will be heirs of glory, honor, and imomrtality.

Is our obedience to the will of God prompt, cheerful, and universal? Can we piously, and patiently resign beloved objects, and enjoyments when God demands them? or do we what is no less indispensable, and proof of piety, at his command renounce our best loved sins,-sacrifice to his honor and pleasure our evil affections, and "live soberly, and righteously, and godly in this present world?" Have we so much of the character of Abraham as warrants the hope that when this life is past we shall "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the faithful in the kingdom of God?

SERMON X.

ISAAC A SON OF PROMISE.

GENESIS, XXI. 3.—And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

the patriarchs

THE honor which divine revelation bestows upon Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is peculiar, remarkable, and preëminent. In every dispensation of religion they are brought into view prominently. In the sacred catalogue of pious worthies their names stand first in eminence, and honor. In faith, and in prevailing prayer they are presented as instructive examples. Of the covenant and promises of God they were special partakers. To them we are referred to learn the way of justification before God; and of obtaining strength and consolation in grievous trials, and in arduous duties. When Jehovah would make himself known as the only living and true God, and as distinguished from all other gods, he does it by proclaiming himself "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob." What are some of the reasons which may be assigned for this honorable distinction? The first, and fundamental reason was the eminence of their piety. Piety consists in reverence, and love for God, reliance on his faithfulness, submission to his will, and cheerful promptness in obedience. These were exemplified in those patriarchs. To love God, supremely, is the first and great commandment; and this renders men eminently the objects of divine complacency, and of the honor which he bestows. In the absence of piety, no true moral excellency can exist. Their piety was manifest by the fact, that in all their wanderings, wherever they fixed, even a temporary residence, there was erected a family altar. God was recognised as the guardian of their homes, and the benefactor of those who dwelt therein, and

in all things he was specially acknowledged. His being by

eminence denominated their God resulted also from his signal dealings with them. Of this their respective histories present striking, and numerous illustrations. The calling of Abraham the constitution of the church in him; the institution of circumcision; the promise, and the fact of his being the progenitor of the promised seed, and the father of the faithful, gave him peculiar prominence, and show that Jehovah was specially his God. The circumstances of Isaac's birth, his distinction as the promised seed, and his emblematical sacrifice were peculiar dispensations of God toward him : and the eventful life of Jacob, in connection with the manifest interpositions of providence in his behalf evince his special interest in the divine favor. I add that all these patriarchs were signalized by remarkable covenant transactions and engagements with God as their God. He was eminently "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob." I now proceed to the special history of Isaac, and will

1st. Consider the remarkable circumstances connected with the birth of Isaac.

2dly. The prominent attributes of his personal character: and 3dly. Notice some of the special incidents of his life.

1st The extraordinary circumstances connected with the birth of Isaac.

The simple fact that to Abraham, a son, or even many sons were born is nothing more than the ordinary history of provi dence; but his being the father of Isaac was, under the circumstances, remarkable, and extraordinary. He was promised long before his actual birth, at least twenty-five years. In this intermediate time the promise was renewed again, and again. The fact of its being thus long previously, and reiteratedly announced is evidence of its special importance. It was no ordinary event in the purpose of divine wisdom which was thus revealed, and indicated by such previous, and repeated announcement. It was important in the desire, and hope of Abraham. It must have been so in the estimation of God. It had relation eminently, though in time more remotely, to that seed which was the subject of the first gracious promise made to fallen man; of

whose coming all the prophets spake, in whom, as the descendant of Isaac "all nations are blessed;" whose conception was eminently miraculous; whose birth was hailed by holy angels, and accompanied with signal honors on earth, and signal honors from heaven. The promise of this son to Abraham was made variously, and with peculiar circumstances in vision, by direct communication. The manner and circumstances under which it was first given manifest the condescension, and generosity of Abraham's God, and present a scene of great interest, and solemnity. Genesis 15:1. "The word of the Lord came unto Abraham in a vision, saying-Fear not Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus ? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And behold the word of the Lord came unto him saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, so shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. And he said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord God whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me a heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. And God said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years: and also that nation whom they shall serve

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will I judge and afterwards shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age; but in the fourth generation they shall come hither again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And it came to pass that when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between these pieces. In that same day the Lord made a covenant with Abraham, saying, unto thy seed have I given this land from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates." How explicit, and large was this promise! How impressive, and solemn was its confirmation!

Moreover, angels, or rather the Lord of angels, on his way to Sodom, before its destruction, gave assurance of this event to both Abraham, and Sarah. "They said unto Abraham, where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold in the tent. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and lo Sarah thy wife shall have a son."-Gen. 18:9, 10. To give full credit to this promise, required a faith which could not be easily staggered. Nature seemed to render it incredible. All the usual circumstances were wanting which encourage such a hope. But the faithfulness, and power of God when pledged give full assurance of the seasonable fulfilment of all that is promised. To unbelief, and doubt, faith triumphantly responds, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" "Hath he spoken, and will he not perform? Hath he promised, and will he not make it good?" The promise was in due time accomplished. Gen. 21:1, 2.-" And the Lord visited Sarah, as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, and at the set time of which God had spoken to him." Unusual dispensations of providence often prompt us to ask questions of idle curiosity. This is unwise. But there are questions which are pertinent, which may in part be answered, and are adapted to teach wisdom, and promote faith, and other graces of the Spirit. Such, as it seems to me, are the questions : Why was the fulfilment of this promise so long deferred? And why was this event brought about under circumstances so extra

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