Contemplationr. himupfeedfrom the very !tones that be trod upon, then himfelfdhould large and happy iffue. There is no faith where there is eithermeanes or hopes. Difficulties and impoffi· biliries arethe true objells ofbeliefe: Hereupon God addes to his n:uue, that which he would fetch fromhis loynes, and made his name as ample ashis po!terity : never any man was a loferbybeleeving: Faith \sever recompenced with glory. NeitherlsAbrAI>am content onely 10 wait for God, burro fmart for him : God bidshim cut his owneflefh; he willingly facrifices thisparcel! ofhis fkin and blood to him that was the owner ofall : How glad he is to carry this painfull marke of the loveofhisCreator? Howforward rofeale thiscovenant with blood, betwixtGod and him? not regarding the foreneffe ofbis body,in comparifon of theconfirmation ofhisfoui.The wound was not fo grievousas the figoification W>S comfortable.For herein he faw, that from his loynes fhould come that bleffed Seed, which !hould purge his foule from all corruption. Well;, that part ofus loft, which truy give affurance ofthe falvation ofthewhole;our&ith is not yet found, ifit have not taught Ltsto negleCt paine for God, and more to love his Sacraments, then our own fle!h. Of I s A A c Sacrificed. lOUT all thefi.e are but eafte talkesofFaith: all ageshaveltood amazed at the next; not knowing whether they lhould morewonderat comm•nd,or Abra,.msobedience: Manyyeere• had that good arch waired for his Ifatc;now at lalthe bath joyfully received that with this graciousacclamation;InifaacjhAU ti>J feed bt~~~~~~~~~.~ 1 N•tiolll bltffid. Behold, the fon ofhis Age, the li:mne ofbis Love, the Expell:ation, he that might not endure amockfrom his brother, mult nowendure theknife ofhis F21her; T af<! thitft on/J fonneifaac "'"•"' thoM /()'IJtjl, and(.<t thee to the UlndofMoriah, andoffer him there for al>•r•t •ffering. Noverany goldwas tryed info hot a fire· Who bucAbrah•m wouldnot po!tnlated with Ood I Wbat I Doth the Godofmercies now begin todelight in blond? Is it potlible that Murder lhould becomePicry? Orifthouwilt needmke pleafure in an humanefacrifice, is there nonebut I{aac fit for thine Altar, nonebut Abrahamtoolferhim ? Shall tbefe bands detlroythcfruitsofmineowne Can I not be faithfull unlelfel be unnatural! ? Oriflmn!t needsbe the all Parents,will not Ifmael yet be accepted? 0 God where is thy me:rC!•,whet·e jultice? Hart thou given me but oneonly fonne, and murt I I wait fo long fur him? Why dldrt thou give him me? ablefliingin him? What will the Heathen fay,when theylhall htO'at<!Ofthis malfacre? HowcanthyName, andmyprofeffionefcape • perpetuall WithwhatfacelhaiiiiookeuponmywifeSar.b, wbofe fonne I have How !hall fhe entertaine the Executioner ofiJ'a•c? Orwho will beleeve, that I did thee?How lhall not all theWorldfperat this holy cruelty, and fay, There fgc>es1theman that cat the throat ofhis own fonne. Yetifhewere an ungracious or rebelliouschild,hisdefemmight givefome colour to this violence: but tolayhands on fodeare,fo dutifull,hhopefull a fonne,is uncapableofall prerences. But grantthatthou which artthe God ofNature, mailt eitheralter nrr1e••=•.: what £hall I fay to the truth ofthypromifes? Can thyJulticeadroit,conltrat1iC!ion!slf Can thy decrees be £hangeable? Can!t thou promifeand difappoint? r .. nh''''"wo I ftand together,If••c lhallliveto be the fatherofNations; and Ifaac lhall the hand ofhis Father?when Ifoac is oncegone,where ismy feed, where ismy fing?OGod,ifthy commands andpurpofes be capable ofalteration, alter thisbloudy fentence,and let thy lirltword!tant:h Thefe would ha?e been the thoughtsofaweake heart : ButGod knew that bee fpake to an Abr.bam, and Abr~ham knew that he had to doe with aGod: Faith bad taught him not to argoe,but obey.In a holy wilfulnelfe he ..;,~oerln . ' "'''''Nature I
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