of_o a_o numerous_a offspring_n and_o that_o in_o he_o shall_v all_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o earth_n be_v bless_v and_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n command_v to_o abraham_n to_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n be_v not_o more_o express_a than_o his_o promise_n concern_v that_o very_a son_n of_o who_o it_o be_v say_v that_o in_o isaac_n shall_v thy_o seed_n be_v call_v and_o this_o start_v a_o new_a difficulty_n for_o now_o the_o question_n seem_v to_o be_v whether_o abraham_n be_v more_o oblige_v to_o obey_v god_n injunction_n than_o to_o believe_v his_o promise_n which_o will_v natural_o suggest_v such_o thought_n to_o he_o as_o these_o god_n have_v give_v i_o a_o son_n and_o in_o he_o a_o promise_n of_o a_o bless_a seed_n and_o a_o numerous_a posterity_n if_o i_o execute_v his_o command_n what_o will_v his_o promise_n signify_v shall_v isaac_n become_v a_o father_n when_o i_o have_v make_v he_o a_o sacrifice_n when_o i_o have_v take_v away_o his_o life_n in_o obedience_n to_o god_n 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provide_v for_o it_o before_o hand_n and_o be_v not_o to_o be_v surprise_v by_o the_o most_o dash_a or_o severe_a injunction_n and_o in_o this_o he_o be_v a_o admirable_a pattern_n to_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o great_a perfection_n which_o in_o this_o life_n they_o be_v capable_a of_o i_o mean_v a_o constant_a readiness_n and_o disposition_n to_o resign_v up_o themselves_o entire_o to_o he_o and_o to_o part_v free_o with_o the_o very_o choice_a blessing_n he_o be_v please_v to_o enrich_v they_o with_o 2._o he_o use_v all_o the_o prudence_n and_o caution_n which_o the_o tenderness_n of_o the_o case_n do_v require_v he_o keep_v the_o matter_n to_o himself_o least_o by_o take_v air_n and_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o his_o wife_n or_o son_n it_o shall_v awaken_v those_o passion_n in_o they_o which_o may_v tempt_v he_o to_o forego_v his_o resolution_n he_o get_v up_o early_o in_o the_o morning_n 8._o gen._n 22.3.5_o 8._o take_v isaac_n his_o son_n and_o 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to_o god_n command_n do_v to_o compass_v the_o death_n of_o he_o but_o more_o than_o this_o 3._o he_o carry_v on_o his_o obedience_n to_o the_o utmost_a point_n of_o perfection_n the_o fatal_a knife_n be_v in_o his_o hand_n his_o son_n lie_v pant_v upon_o the_o altar_n and_o he_o be_v just_a give_v the_o deadly_a stroke_n when_o the_o angel_n call_v to_o he_o out_o of_o heaven_n to_o stay_v his_o hand_n 11._o gen._n 22_o 9_o 10_o 11._o which_o if_o he_o have_v not_o do_v he_o have_v certain_o in_o a_o few_o moment_n send_v isaac_n thither_o so_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o want_v in_o abraham_n compliance_n with_o god_n in_o all_o that_o he_o require_v of_o he_o he_o perfect_o resign_v up_o his_o will_n to_o he_o he_o wean_v himself_o from_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v dear_a to_o he_o in_o this_o world_n he_o offer_v up_o his_o very_a isaac_n so_o far_o that_o there_o be_v but_o a_o moment_n between_o he_o and_o death_n and_o by_o that_o wonderful_a act_n give_v such_o a_o demonstration_n of_o his_o piety_n and_o entire_a dependence_n upon_o god_n as_o procure_v this_o glorious_a testimony_n from_o he_o now_o know_v i_o that_o thou_o fear_v i_o 12._o v._o 12._o since_o thou_o have_v not_o witheld_a thy_o son_n thy_o only_a son_n from_o i_o to_o all_o which_o may_v be_v add_v 4._o that_o this_o good_a man_n never_o demur_v or_o faulter_v all_o the_o while_o he_o be_v upon_o his_o trial_n one_o will_v think_v it_o be_v impossible_a for_o he_o to_o go_v through_o so_o severe_a a_o task_n without_o repine_v at_o some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o diffioulty_n impose_v upon_o he_o one_o of_o we_o will_v be_v very_o apt_a to_o fancy_n that_o every_o time_n he_o cast_v his_o eye_n
be_v say_v to_o have_v dye_v in_o faith_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o promise_n and_o have_v embrace_v they_o many_o age_n before_o the_o time_n be_v come_v for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o then_o for_o the_o power_n and_o efficacy_n of_o this_o grace_n the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o what_o transcendent_a thing_n it_o have_v do_v in_o ancient_a time_n and_o that_o by_o virtue_n of_o it_o the_o elder_n obtain_v a_o good_a report_n 2._o ver_fw-la 2._o by_o which_o he_o mean_v that_o the_o great_a and_o famous_a action_n record_v of_o the_o patriarch_n and_o other_o worthy_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n be_v all_o owe_v to_o their_o faith_n by_o faith_n they_o please_v god_n bear_v up_o against_o the_o malice_n of_o the_o world_n subdue_v kingdom_n and_o wrought_v righteousness_n in_o despite_n of_o the_o great_a difficulty_n and_o the_o high_a discouragement_n many_o instance_n he_o give_v we_o of_o these_o noble_a flight_n of_o faith_n among_o which_o there_o be_v none_o in_o all_o 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of_o his_o faith_n and_o affiance_n in_o he_o the_o text_n call_v it_o a_o trial_n which_o imply_v that_o god_n command_v abraham_n to_o offer_v up_o his_o son_n for_o have_v it_o be_v a_o freewill_n offer_n without_o any_o order_n or_o direction_n from_o god_n such_o as_o the_o heathen_a oblation_n be_v when_o they_o sacrifice_v their_o child_n to_o their_o idol_n it_o have_v be_v a_o plain_a and_o horrid_a act_n of_o murder_n nor_o be_v it_o necessary_a as_o some_o have_v fancy_v to_o clear_v the_o righteousness_n of_o god_n and_o abraham_n in_o this_o matter_n that_o god_n shall_v dispense_v with_o the_o six_o commandment_n when_o he_o oblige_v the_o patriarch_n to_o kill_v his_o son_n because_o it_o have_v be_v murder_n to_o kill_v he_o without_o his_o command_n for_o that_o commandment_n as_o be_v plain_a by_o the_o case_n before_o we_o forbid_v only_o to_o kill_v without_o god_n authority_n which_o abraham_n never_o go_v about_o to_o do_v and_o therefore_o need_v no_o dispensation_n for_o it_o he_o have_v a_o express_a commission_n from_o god_n who_o be_v absolute_a lord_n of_o life_n and_o death_n and_o never_o bar_n his_o prerogative_n by_o his_o law_n and_o may_v therefore_o use_v his_o power_n as_o he_o please_v and_o take_v away_o the_o life_n of_o the_o most_o innocent_a person_n as_o well_o by_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o father_n and_o the_o fire_n upon_o the_o altar_n as_o by_o a_o infection_n in_o the_o air_n by_o lightning_n or_o tempest_n or_o any_o other_o messenger_n of_o death_n and_o thus_o moses_n tell_v we_o that_o god_n tempt_v abraham_n and_o bid_v he_o go_v and_o offer_v his_o son_n upon_o a_o certain_a mountain_n in_o moriah_n for_o a_o burn_a offer_v gen._n 22.1_o 2._o and_o herein_o lie_v the_o sharpness_n of_o abraham_n trial_n that_o either_o he_o must_v contend_v with_o god_n and_o dispute_v his_o authority_n or_o do_v the_o strange_a thing_n that_o ever_o be_v do_v in_o the_o world_n to_o please_v he_o that_o we_o may_v the_o 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not_o nature_n teach_v we_o to_o be_v kind_a and_o dutiful_a towards_o the_o offspring_n of_o our_o own_o bowel_n and_o be_v not_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n engrave_v upon_o our_o mind_n by_o the_o finger_n of_o god_n himself_o have_v not_o the_o reason_n which_o god_n have_v give_v i_o hither_o to_o condemn_v the_o action_n which_o he_o now_o command_v and_o though_o i_o know_v he_o be_v always_o just_a and_o good_a and_o will_v do_v always_o that_o which_o i_o know_v will_v please_v he_o yet_o how_o can_v i_o hope_v to_o please_v he_o by_o destroy_v his_o image_n in_o my_o own_o child_n what_o will_v the_o world_n say_v of_o i_o who_o profess_v to_o worship_n god_n in_o the_o pure_a manner_n shall_v i_o pollute_v his_o altar_n with_o my_o son_n blood_n and_o do_v that_o strange_a and_o unaccountable_a thing_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o scandal_n to_o his_o holy_a religion_n so_o harsh_a a_o command_n as_o this_o be_v enough_o to_o put_v not_o nature_n only_o but_o faith_n itself_o upon_o the_o stretch_n and_o be_v perfect_o new_a and_o arbitrary_a to_o fright_v man_n from_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n which_o this_o holy_a man_n have_v be_v the_o best_a example_n and_o the_o great_a promoter_n of_o 2._o but_o then_o god_n do_v not_o only_o command_v abraham_n to_o sacrifice_v his_o son_n but_o his_o belove_a and_o only_a son_n isaac_n i._n e._n his_o only_a son_n by_o sarah_n the_o freewoman_n and_o true_a mother_n of_o the_o family_n which_o be_v to_o convey_v a_o universal_a blessing_n to_o mankind_n take_v now_o thy_o son_n say_v god_n thy_o only_a son_n isaac_n 22.2_o gen._n 22.2_o who_o thou_o love_v and_o get_v thou_o into_o the_o land_n of_o moriah_n and_o offer_v he_o there_o for_o a_o burn_a offer_v and_o this_o great_o increase_v the_o difficulty_n of_o abraham_n obedience_n that_o it_o shall_v please_v god_n to_o demand_v not_o one_o out_o of_o many_o but_o his_o only_a son_n his_o isaac_n who_o he_o entire_o love_v the_o only_a joy_n of_o his_o mother_n and_o the_o only_a hope_n of_o the_o family_n which_o be_v to_o make_v the_o best_a figure_n of_o any_o other_o in_o the_o world_n and_o now_o may_v not_o abraham_n have_v say_v lord_n must_v i_o bereave_v myself_o of_o the_o child_n which_o nothing_o but_o a_o miracle_n of_o thou_o can_v raise_v out_o of_o my_o age_a loin_n must_v i_o take_v away_o a_o life_n for_o which_o i_o will_v glad_o exchange_v my_o own_o will_v not_o all_o my_o flock_n and_o herd_n afford_v a_o acceptable_a sacrifice_n to_o thou_o all_o these_o i_o will_v free_o offer_v instead_o of_o that_o innocent_a lamb_n in_o which_o all_o my_o earthly_a treasure_n and_o comfort_n lie_v let_v not_o the_o lord_n be_v angry_a and_o i_o will_v speak_v this_o once_o be_v not_o the_o life_n of_o sarah_n bind_v up_o in_o the_o life_n of_o the_o child_n how_o shall_v i_o answer_v the_o death_n of_o isaac_n to_o she_o or_o must_v i_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o two_o such_o death_n at_o once_o and_o when_o i_o 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and_o we_o all_o pretend_v to_o know_v it_o yet_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o our_o memory_n be_v short_a too_o and_o that_o our_o fondness_n of_o this_o world_n be_v such_o that_o we_o be_v apt_a to_o forget_v where_o we_o be_v upon_o what_o term_n we_o be_v here_o how_o sudden_o we_o must_v remove_v and_o what_o be_v requisite_a to_o procure_v we_o a_o safe_a and_o easy_a passage_n into_o that_o eternal_a world_n where_o we_o must_v dwell_v in_o perfect_a bliss_n or_o anguish_n for_o ever_o we_o be_v so_o much_o enamour_a with_o this_o present_a world_n that_o like_o passionate_a lover_n we_o seem_v not_o to_o remember_v what_o we_o say_v or_o do_v while_o we_o be_v converse_v with_o it_o it_o fetter_n our_o memory_n while_o it_o captivate_v our_o affection_n and_o while_o it_o subdue_v our_o heart_n it_o bereave_v we_o of_o the_o best_a use_n of_o our_o reason_n which_o certain_o be_v to_o set_v our_o affection_n on_o thing_n above_o where_o we_o hope_v ever_o long_o to_o be_v and_o not_o on_o thing_n on_o the_o earth_n where_o be_v it_o worth_a our_o while_n we_o be_v sure_o we_o can_v stay_v long_o to_o enjoy_v they_o this_o be_v our_o great_a unhappiness_n it_o be_v the_o inordinate_a love_n of_o this_o world_n that_o make_v we_o forget_v ourselves_o and_o the_o design_n of_o our_o creator_n in_o send_v we_o hither_o and_o the_o proper_a remedy_n against_o it_o be_v to_o keep_v our_o mind_n as_o much_o awake_a as_o we_o can_v with_o frequent_a and_o serious_a thought_n on_o the_o suddenness_n of_o our_o departure_n hence_o for_o it_o be_v not_o be_v of_o the_o opinion_n that_o our_o life_n be_v short_a when_o we_o hear_v a_o discourse_n about_o it_o or_o follow_v a_o hearty_a man_n to_o his_o grave_n that_o will_v cure_v we_o of_o our_o dotage_n on_o present_a thing_n nothing_o less_o will_v do_v this_o than_o a_o quick_a and_o last_a sense_n of_o the_o shortness_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o our_o life_n the_o power_n of_o conviction_n last_v no_o long_o than_o it_o be_v present_a to_o the_o mind_n or_o become_v habitual_a and_o familiar_a to_o it_o as_o appear_v by_o the_o vanish_v of_o those_o solemn_a vow_n which_o man_n common_o make_v in_o their_o sickness_n and_o which_o nothing_o else_o can_v extort_v from_o they_o as_o soon_o as_o the_o danger_n be_v over_o and_o they_o begin_v to_o flatter_v themselves_o with_o new_a hope_n of_o a_o long_a and_o pleasant_a life_n and_o therefore_o as_o melancholy_a a_o thought_n as_o it_o be_v that_o our_o life_n be_v short_a beside_o that_o it_o be_v never_o unseasonable_a it_o be_v one_o of_o the_o most_o useful_a thought_n that_o we_o can_v carry_v about_o we_o for_o it_o be_v certain_a we_o can_v never_o over_o come_v this_o flatter_a and_o enchant_a world_n without_o it_o and_o then_o we_o can_v never_o arrive_v to_o the_o glory_n and_o happiness_n of_o that_o to_o come_v as_o cold_a a_o truth_n as_o it_o be_v that_o we_o must_v short_o die_v and_o leave_v this_o delicious_a world_n it_o will_v mighty_o help_v to_o quicken_v our_o devotion_n and_o inflame_v our_o affection_n to_o heavenly_a thing_n it_o will_v thereby_o prevent_v a_o world_n of_o sin_n and_o folly_n it_o will_v excite_v we_o to_o hasten_v our_o repentance_n to_o make_v the_o best_a of_o our_o little_a life_n and_o improve_v all_o advantage_n we_o hold_v by_o it_o for_o a_o bless_a eternity_n and_o for_o these_o reason_n the_o scripture_n often_o recommend_v this_o serious_a meditation_n to_o we_o and_o to_o keep_v it_o fresh_a in_o our_o memory_n present_v we_o with_o great_a variety_n of_o affect_v emblem_n and_o lively_a representation_n of_o the_o shortness_n and_o uncertainty_n of_o humane_a life_n such_o as_o be_v most_o obvious_a to_o our_o sense_n and_o apt_a to_o raise_v a_o new_a passion_n in_o our_o mind_n every_o time_n we_o think_v of_o they_o for_o instance_n 1._o our_o life_n be_v compare_v in_o scripture_n to_o thing_n of_o the_o most_o transitory_a and_o fade_a nature_n st._n james_n call_v it_o a_o vapour_n that_o appear_v for_o a_o little_a time_n and_o then_o vanish_v away_o such_o be_v the_o life_n of_o mortal_a man_n even_o the_o great_a and_o gallant_a of_o they_o it_o be_v up_o &_o down_o in_o a_o moment_n it_o be_v a_o vapour_n very_o often_o in_o the_o civil_a as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o natural_a sense_n and_o common_o the_o great_a ostentation_n it_o make_v the_o soon_o it_o disappear_v and_o be_v go_v and_o the_o eye_n that_o see_v it_o see_v it_o not_o more_o and_o on_o the_o same_o account_v it_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o shadow_n 1_o chron._n 29.15_o and_o to_o the_o grass_n and_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n for_o its_o weak_a and_o fade_a nature_n psalm_n 103.15_o 16._o verse_n as_o for_o man_n his_o day_n be_v as_o grass_n as_o a_o flower_n of_o the_o field_n so_o he_o flourish_v for_o the_o wind_n pass_v over_o it_o and_o it_o be_v go_v and_o the_o place_n thereof_o shall_v know_v it_o no_o more_o so_o job_n 14.1_o 2._o man_n that_o be_v bear_v of_o a_o woman_n be_v of_o few_o day_n and_o full_a of_o trouble_n he_o come_v forth_o like_o a_o flower_n and_o be_v cut_v down_o he_o flee_v also_o as_o a_o shadow_n and_o continue_v not_o 2._o the_o shortness_n of_o humane_a life_n be_v represent_v by_o thing_n that_o be_v small_a in_o number_n and_o extension_n in_o their_o kind_n thus_o the_o day_n of_o man_n be_v say_v to_o be_v like_o the_o day_n of_o a_o hireling_n 7.1_o job_n 7.1_o which_o be_v few_o and_o precarious_a in_o comparison_n of_o those_o which_o the_o child_n of_o the_o family_n enjoy_v in_o their_o father_n house_n as_o our_o saviour_n himself_o observe_v 8.35_o john_n 8.35_o the_o servant_n abide_v not_o in_o the_o house_n for_o ever_o but_o the_o son_n abide_v for_o ever_o and_o so_o the_o psalmist_n measure_v the_o life_n of_o man_n by_o the_o breadth_n of_o his_o hand_n which_o bear_v no_o proportion_n to_o the_o vast_a circumference_n of_o the_o earth_n or_o heaven_n behold_v say_v he_o thou_o have_v make_v my_o day_n as_o a_o handbreath_n 6._o psal_n 39_o 6._o thou_o have_v enclose_v my_o life_n in_o a_o very_a narrow_a compass_n and_o then_o he_o add_v as_o if_o he_o have_v speak_v too_o lavish_o of_o it_o and_o my_o age_n be_v as_o nothing_o before_o thou_o a_o mere_a cypher_n or_o nullity_n if_o compare_v to_o thy_o eternal_a duration_n whereupon_o he_o conclude_v very_o every_o man_n at_o his_o best_a estate_n be_v altogether_o vanity_n 3._o our_o life_n be_v also_o compare_v to_o thing_n of_o the_o speedy_a and_o swiste_v motion_n to_o remind_v we_o that_o it_o be_v hasten_v away_o apace_o and_o will_v be_v too_o nimble_a for_o we_o if_o we_o delay_v the_o proper_a work_n and_o business_n which_o god_n have_v assign_v we_o in_o this_o world_n my_o day_n say_v job_n be_v swister_n than_o a_o weaver_n shuttle_n 7._o job_n 7.6_o 7._o oh_o remember_v that_o my_o life_n be_v wind._n we_o read_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n which_o denote_v the_o wonderful_a swiftness_n of_o it_o and_o such_o be_v our_o life_n it_o be_v always_o upon_o the_o wing_n it_o make_v all_o possible_a haste_n to_o be_v go_v it_o keep_v pace_n with_o the_o wing_n of_o the_o wind_n it_o be_v a_o wind_n say_v the_o psalmist_n that_o pass_v away_o 78.29_o psal_n 78.29_o and_o come_v not_o again_o our_o time_n be_v ever_o in_o motion_n and_o always_o keep_v the_o same_o speed_n what_o ever_o we_o be_v do_v the_o while_n and_o since_o we_o have_v but_o a_o little_a time_n and_o that_o little_a however_o spend_v be_v always_o lessen_v and_o draw_v to_o a_o period_n it_o can_v be_v long_o ere_o the_o whole_a stock_n be_v exhaust_v though_o we_o shall_v husband_n it_o to_o the_o best_a advantage_n and_o live_v out_o which_o perhaps_o not_o one_o of_o a_o thousand_o do_v to_o the_o utmost_a stretch_n and_o possibility_n of_o live_v 4._o the_o shortness_n and_o instability_n of_o this_o present_a life_n be_v set_v forth_o by_o allusion_n to_o thing_n which_o be_v movable_a at_o pleasure_n imply_v that_o as_o short_a as_o the_o ordinary_a term_n of_o life_n be_v it_o be_v always_o subject_a to_o the_o providence_n of_o god_n and_o often_o lessen_v by_o he_o in_o who_o hand_n our_o time_n be_v in_o this_o respect_n our_o life_n be_v compare_v to_o a_o shepherd_n tent_n and_o our_o body_n to_o tabernacle_n i._n e._n extempore_o house_n or_o receptacle_n that_o be_v present_o set_v up_o and_o take_v down_o or_o remove_v at_o the_o pleasure_n of_o the_o owner_n and_o in_o this_o language_n hezechiah_n complain_v upon_o the_o sad_a tiding_n the_o prophet_n bring_v he_o of_o his_o approach_a death_n isa_n 38._o v._n 10_o 12._o i_o be_o deprive_v