ly dawn unto the perfect day. In the prosecution of this design, we shall observe types, shadows, ceremonies, sacrifices, disappearing by little and little; patriarchs, priests, prophets, law-givers, and kings, retiring one after another, and giving place to the Lord, our Judge, our Law-giver, our King, our Saviour. Hunter's Sacred Biography. CHAPTER XIV. ISAAC. IN the history which we have traced, the life of the patriarch Abraham, has appeared to be of so much importance, and has so abounded in incident, that we have appropriated three chapters, to delineate some of the most striking traits in his character; but the limits of our design, will not admit of equal attention to the conduct of the different branches of his family. We have already glanced at the journey of Abraham's servant to the city of Nahor, to take a wife for Isaac. The particulars which that transaction presents, are a beautiful and interesting picture, of the simplicity of ancient manners and customs. And what is of more consequence, we see all parties piously regarding Divine direction in a matter of so much importance. The father giving full proof of his solicitude for the happiness of his only son, by seeking to match him with virtue and religion; rather than with rank, and affluence, to the endangering of his moral and religious principles. This pious motive appears to have been remarkably blessed, when Eliezer came to the well of the city of Nahor; for he had scarcely finished his address to the God of Abraham, his master, when Providence, who works unseen, unknown, unobserved by us, brought the subject of his prayer already to his view; and in what employment was the intended bride of Isaac found? Is she indolently reclining under a canopy of state, or taking the evening air attended by a splendid retinue of servants? No, behold her, beautiful, young, and high born, bearing a pitcher on her shoulder to the well, to draw water for the family! And learn, that the humble, yet useful employments of domestic life, however they may appear in the view of unfeeling wealth, or giddy dissipation, are a virtuous woman's most honourable occupation; because most conducive to the essential interests and real comforts of mankind. Isaac, at the age of threescore, becomes the father of two sons, twenty years after his marriage with Rebekah. The strife which had begun before they were born, becomes visible at the birth, and their contention not only continued during the greater part of their lives, but was transmitted to their posterity. As Isaac's children grow up, he is under the necessity of arising and exerting himself; for the blessing of Providence is to be asked, and to be expected only when men are found in the way of their duty, and employing lawful and approved means of prospering. We accordingly find him, with the prudent sagacity of a good husband, father, and master, directing the removal of his family from place to place, as occasion frequently required; forming alliances with his powerful neighbours for the purpose of security, and presiding in the affairs of religion, his favourite employment. The distresses which embittered the remainder of his life, were chiefly internal and domestie; and had their source in his own infirmity, a fond partiality for his eldest son; the mischief of which was increased and kept alive, by a partiality equally decided, which Rebekah entertained in favour of Jacob. The evil of a man's lot may be frequently traced to some weakness which he has indulged; and of all the infirmities to which our nature is subject, none is more unreasonable, unwise, or unjust, than that of making a difference between one child and another. The trifling circumstances of personal likeness, of beauty and deformity, and the like, over which parents had little power, and the children none * |