time in many respects, beyond what was ever before known on earth. The trials of religious professors now are like the last great trial of Abraham. How then can any person now conceal his real character? 4. Practical self-denial is the only evidence of piety. Professions of piety afford no evidence of Christian character. Nor does an attendance on religious performances. Nor do internal affections and the excitement of the feelings on religious subjects. Nor do any religious sentiments, enjoyments, exertions, or sacrifices, without real and practical self-denial, from supreme love to God and true love to man. 5. In the spirit of faithfulness to God, his servants find no difficulty in the performance of any duty. So far as they have this spirit, they have no selfish interests, nor desires, nor feelings to prevent the instant and cheerful performance of what God requires. It is written" Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing." The Lord Jesus Christ says "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." No duty is ever done, while the heart is not right with God. When the heart of a person is truly turned to God, his affections agree with his duty. When Abraham had a heart to withhold nothing from God, he could arise early, go to the distant mountain and offer Isaac, whom he greatly loved, unto God whom he loved with supreme affection. 6. The wickedness of such persons, as are not pious, is very wonderful. They oppose God. They exalt themselves against him. They have no reason for their conduct. They act against the most powerful and affecting motives. In the spirit of selfishness they destroy. themselves forever. Enmity, folly and madness are in their hearts. 7. They, who are not pious, are called to turn to God without delay. Abraham obeyed the voice of God in early life. He obeyed him all his days to old age. God has called you in your childhood and in your youth. You have delayed and refused to obey him. Why have you done so? Have you more knowledge, or power, or goodness, or wisdom than God? Why then have you set yourselves against him? - He still calls you in the greatness of his mercy. You may yet hear and turn and live. "Turn ye: turn ye: for why will ye die!" XI. HAPPY MARRIAGE. And Isaac brought her unto his mother Sarah's tent and took But few events which are mentioned in the Scriptures, are more particularly and circumstantially narrated than those which were connected with the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah. 1. There is a statement of Abraham's conduct respecting the marriage of his son. He called his eldest servant, who managed all his affairs, and put him under a most solemn oath respecting the selection of a wife for Isaac. He forbid his marriage with any daughter of the Canaanites; but required his servant to go to his native country and take a wife unto his son from his kindred. In this prohibition and requirement Abraham was influenced by religious considerations. On this subject Abraham expressed an high degree of confidence in God and in the ministry of angels. Such was the conduct of this faithful servant and true friend of God respecting the marriage of his son. 2. There is an account of the conduct of Abraham's servant, whom he sent to obtain a wife for Isaac. He did not delay a proper attention to this subject. But after all his diligence and exertion on his journey, he prayed unto God for direction and success in the object for which he had been sent. And he accounted such success a great kindness. For providential direction and assistance, he rendered to God the most solemn and grateful acknowledgments. He "bowed his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren." Though he doubtless needed refreshment and food was ready for him, yet his mind was so intent on the object of his journey, that he would not eat until he had told his errand. Similar were his decision and faithfulness in respect to his return, when he had obtained the object for which he was sent. 3. The conduct of Rebekah's relatives respecting her marriage is worthy of consideration. When they had heard the statement of Abraham's servant, they said, "The thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto thee bad, or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee; take her and go and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken." For such conduct in favor of his object, the servant again worshiped God with reverence and gratitude. The cheerful consent of her relatives for the departure of Rebekah from her home did not arise from the want of esteem and affection for their daughter and sister. They accounted her marriage to be so evidently and favorably under the direction of divine providence, that they ought cheerfully to sacrifice the benefits and enjoyments which they might have received from her society and services. When she departed, with the most tender expressions of their friendship and love, they invoked upon her the greatest blessings. 4. We may notice the conduct of Rebekah. She was acquainted with the message and proposal, that were brought by Abraham's servant respecting her marriage to his son. Though it seemed to be decided by the events of divine providence and in the judgment of Abraham's servant and Rebekah's relatives, that she was to be the wife of Isaac, yet her brother and mother said, "We will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go." The considerations, which had influenced and governed Abraham and his servant and the relatives of Rebekah respecting her marriage, appeared to afford decisive reasons for her consent and her cheerful departure from her home to a distant residence. And it is a circum stance of pleasant interest, that she was attended by her nurse. Such a female acquaintance and companion must have been a great relief and comfort to her on her journey and in her residence among strangers. And it is no doubtful evidence of the excellence and amiableness of Rebekah, that her nurse was willing and pleased to attend her in the duties and trials of her future years. When the company had arrived at the end of their journey and Rebekah saw Isaac, she conducted with the highest degree of propriety, discretion and wisdom. Such an example of simplicity, innocence, modesty and piety in a young lady, in respect to her marriage, the Holy Spirit has been pleased to record and honor in the volume of divine truth, by the earliest of the inspired writers. And what greater honor and praise could be given on earth to any daughter of Adam? 5. The conduct of Isaac is then mentioned in respect to his marriage. When Abraham's servant returned with Rebekah, Isaac had gone "to meditate in the field at eventide." At the close of the day, his mind was withdrawn from earthly labors and cares; and as the solemn and pleasant evening approached, he was engaged in religious meditation. The review of his past life, the character of his father, the death of his mother, the mercies of God to Abraham and his numerous household, his own need of instruction and holiness, the measures which had been taken for his marriage, the importance of domestic relations and duties, the evils of misconduct in families, the honor and happiness of husbands and wives who live in the fear and favor of God and with mutual affection and kindness, the influence of his future conduct in respect to the knowledge and worship of God on earth, would urge upon his mind most solemn and affecting considerations for meditation, retirement and prayer. Such objects and subjects, there is reason to believe, engaged the attention of this worthy man, when at a distance he saw the camels with his father's servant and his company. "And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done." With what admiration, reverence and gratitude towards God, must Isaac have heard the servant's statement! With what esteem, honor and love to his father, must he have regarded the happy effects of Abraham's concern for his marriage! He would also see, with candor and kindness, the wise and faithful conduct of the servant. And for a moment his beloved and lamented mother would arise before his mind and excite a desire, that she had lived to see her son blessed of God in his marriage with a worthy companion. "And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rebekah and she became his wife; and he loved her : and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." Whatever could be honorable and amiable in the person and character of a woman, would be associated in the mind of Isaac with his mother Sarah. She had been dead three years; and during that time Isaac had been afflicted and mourned for her death. Sarah was an hundred and twenty-seven years old when she died; and she is the only woman whose age is mentioned in the Bible. Though she was so aged, she was not despised nor disregarded by her son when he had arisen to manhood. How highly then should we estimate the filial character and conduct of Isaac, when tested by his affection for his mother? And what must have been the affection and enjoyment of Sarah in her beloved and worthy son? Did Isaac most honor his mother, or Rebekah, when he brought her into Sarah's tent? Such affection and respect for his mother were the most valuable preparation for his reception of Rebekah, in the important and endearing relation of his wife. The conversation of Isaac respecting his mother, under the affecting circumstances in which he received Rebekah, would show her his domestic character and prepare her for a respectful and cheerful acceptance of the station in which God had placed her in the family of Abraham. The esteem and affection of Isaac for female excellence and worthiness, that had begun in his infancy towards his mother and had been strengthened and matured until her death, were now most properly and happily transferred to Rebekah. "He loved her." His love to her was rational, religious and permanent. "And Isaac was comforted after his mother's death." For the bereavements and afflictions of faithful children in the death of their parents, the society, affection and happiness, which may be found in the formation of their domestic |