of Rebekah, he acknowledges and submits to the high will of Heaven. The blessing which he had pronounced unwittingly, and which he finds to be irrevocable, he now deliberately and cheerfully confirms.

length, settle on him whom he loved less. But, to part with the heir of the promise, at the age of one hundred and forty years, to send him away into a far country-was it not to part with him for ever? The fervour of his farewell benediction, pathetically expresses his despair of meeting him again, "God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people: and give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.”* These are the last words, this the last action of Isaac's life, upon record. But his latter end was at a greater distance than he or than Esau apprehended. He survived this event forty years. He lived to lose in communion with God, the disorder and dispersion of his family. He lived to shelter and to bless by his prayers, him whom the paternal roof could shelter and protect no longer. He lived to be refreshed with the good tidings of the success of the blessing, and the happy increase of Jacob's family. He lived to

And now, behold the little spark of discord between the brethren blown up into a flame, which threatens destruction to the whole family. And, dreadful to think, Esau looks forward, with desire to the death of his old, kind father, that he might prosecute revenge against his brother unto blood. Hitherto we have seen in Esau an object of compassion: we now view him with detestation; and we find the righteous judgment of God prosecuting this murderous disposition in his posterity to their utter ruin. "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever." "As I live, saith the Lord God, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. Thus I will make Mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that_passeth out and him that returneth." "Thus saith the Lord, For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I“ see him” again" in his touch," and to emwill not turn away the punishment thereof; brace his grandchildren. This period of his because he did pursue his brother with the life is a mere blank to posterity. But if we sword, and did cast off all pity, and his an- are ever admitted to read in "the book of ger did tear perpetually, and kept his wrath God's remembrance," O how will these forty for ever. But I will send a fire upon Te-years of silence and oblivion arise and shine! man, which shall devour the palaces of Boz- At last, old and full of days, Isaac drops rah." Rebekah too, now that "a sword pierces through her own soul," ready "to lose both her children in one day," too late discerns how imprudently she has acted, and is glad to purchase the safety of her favourite at the price of his banishment. So uneasily do those possessions sit upon us which we have acquired by improper means. The threatening words of his elder son, must have speedily reached the ears of the aged patriarch also. And he has the inexpressible mortification of learning that the ungrateful wretch whom he had cherished in his bosom, and to whom his fondness would have given every thing, was enjoying the prospect of his approaching death, because it would afford a safer opportunity of practising his meditated revenge. This indeed was the bitterness of death, to "feel how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child. And, thus severely the unwise attachment of both the parents punished itself, by the effect which it produced.

To prevent the dreadful mischief which hung over his hoary head, all his prospects concerning Esau, being now blighted by the heathenish alliances which he had formed, by his diabolical character, and by the rejection of Heaven, he gladly consents to the dismission of Jacob: and all his hopes, at * Obad. verse 10. ↑ Ezek. xxxv. 6, 7. Amos i. 11, 12.

into the grave. "The days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years, and Isaac gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people." "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" Time, and a better spirit and the death of a father, have happily extinguished resentment between the brothers. Esau thinks no more of slaying Jacob. They mingle tears, as did Isaac and Ishmael, over their parent's tomb, and their angry passions sleep in the dust with him.

Thus lived and died Isaac, the son of Abraham, a man of contemplation, piety, and peace. A man of few and slight infirmities; of many and eminent virtues. A man, whom Providence tried with multiplied and severe afflictions; and whom faith strengthened to bear them with patience and forti tude. His story comes home to the breast and bosom of every man. His excellencies are such as all may, by due cultivation, acquire; his virtue such as all may imitate. His faults are those, to which even good men are liable, and which they are the more concerned to avoid, or to amend.

To young men, we would hold him up as a pattern of filial tenderness and submission. Isaac possessed in an eminent degree, that most amiable quality of ingenuous youth, dutiful respect to the mother who bare him.

He cherished her with pious attention while temper, his resignation under affliction, his she lived, and sincerely lamented her in gentle requital of deception and insult, his death; till duty called him to drop the grate- superiority to the world, his composure in the ful and affectionate son, in the loving and prospect of dissolution, and the faith which faithful husband. So long as Abraham lived, triumphed over death and the grave. Let Isaac had no will but the will of his father. the affluent and the prosperous learn of him, The master of a family may learn of him to adorn high rank and ample fortune, by hudomestic piety and devotion, conjugal fide-mility and condescension; and the wretched, lity, prudent foresight, persevering industry. to endure distress with fortitude and resigThe selfish and contentious are reproved, by the example of his moderation, by his patience under unkindness and injustice, by his meek surrender of an undoubted right, for the sake of peace. Let the aged consider him well, and imitate his sweetness of

HISTORY OF JACOB.

LECTURE XXIIL

And the boys grew; and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field and Jacob was a plain man. dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison; but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage, for I am faint; therefore his name was called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day: and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way; thus Esau despised his birthright-GENESIS xxv. 27—34.

of his conduct. Events unimportant, inci- | hands; but if we presume to take the whole dental, contingent in the eyes of men, are or any part of the work of God upon ouroften matters of deep design, of mighty and selves, it is both with sin and with danger. lasting consequence with God. The natural disposition of the two brothers early discovered itself. Esau betakes himself to the active and laborious sports of the field.Jacob, formed for social and domestic life, abides at home in the tents, attending to family affairs, cultivating filial affections, and living in the exercise of filial duties. The Chaldee Paraphrast gives a translation of the words of Moses, rendered in our version, "dwelling in tents," considerably different in sense," He was a minister in the house of teaching," understanding by the word tents or tabernacles, the place appointed for divine worship.

"His counsel indeed shall stand," but the offender shall pay the price of his rashness. It is a dreadful thing to get into a course and habit of acting amiss. When once we have got a favourite object in view, how every thing is made to bend to it! The birthright, the birthright was the darling object of Jacob's fondest wishes; and, as if the decree and the prediction of heaven had not been security sufficient for the attainment of it, he seeks to confirm it to himself by a deed of sale with his brother, and the interposition of a solemn oath; and finally, is eager to have the bargain ratified by the solemn benediction of his father's prophetic lips. "He The first action of Jacob's life, which we that believeth shall not make haste." But find recorded by the sacred historian, is by alas! I see in Jacob an earnestness to obtain no means calculated to give us a favourable his end, that borders on diffidence and susimpression of his heart. The young men picion; and indeed, whom or what can that were now in their twenty-fifth year. The man trust, who has not confidence in his elder entirely devoted to his favourite pur- Maker? The vile scene of imposition and suit: the younger, ever on the watch to ob- fraud practised upon his blind and aged patain that by art or industry which nature had rent, as forming an essential article of Jacob's taken from him. It happened on a certain history, rises again to view. I like his taking day, that Jacob had employed himself in pre- advantage of his father's blindness still less paring a plain dish of pottage of lentiles, for than his attempt to carry a favourite point by his own entertainment. And here, let not taking advantage of his brother's hunger and the fastidious critic, who measures every impetuosity. The latter was but the skill and thing by modern manners and maxims, con- address of an open adversary; the former sider this as an employment beneath the dig-was the cunning and deceit of a crafty and nity of Isaac's son. It is, in truth, one of a multitude of instances, of the beautiful simplicity of ancient customs. The greatest heroes, and proudest princes, whom Homer has exhibited, are frequently found engaged in similar occupations. Esau, returning from the field, and having been either unsuccessful in hunting, or being too impatient to delay the gratification of his appetite till his venison was prepared, entreats his brother to give him a share of the provision which he had made for himself. Jacob, taking advantage of his hunger and eagerness, proposes, as an equivalent for his pottage, no less a price than the favourite object of all his ambition and desire, the birthright. Unconscious or regardless of its value, and in a haste to satisfy the cravings of the moment, he inconsiderately parts with that which nature had given him in vain, and which a father's fondness strove to secure for him; but which a conduct so "profane" and precipitate proved him altogether unworthy of possessing.

But, was the conduct of Jacob pure and praise-worthy in this transaction? It cannot be affirmed. Providence had indeed ordained him to the blessing which he so ardently coveted; but Providence neither appoints nor approves of crooked and indirect paths to the ends which it has proposed. Weak and erring men may perhaps not be displeased, to have part of their work taken off from their

undutiful child. Observe how cautiously, and fearfully, and slowly, the footsteps of the deceitful must proceed. The moment that the conscience swerves from truth and rectitude, the man becomes jealous, and anxious, and timid. But integrity advances with firmness and intrepidity. "And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver, and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing."*

But, what could make Rebekah and her favourite son so anxious to attain this superiority? What was there in the birthright, to make it thus fondly coveted, and unre- . mittingly pursued? The answer to these questions will at least plead some excuse for their zeal, if not wholly do away the guilt of their falsehood. First-The gift of prophesy was known to reside in the patriarch Isaac; and the parental benediction, in certain circumstances, was considered as having the force of a prediction. SecondlyPreeminency and power over the rest of the family in patriarchal times, were affixed to priority of birth; thus God speaks to Cain concerning Abel, "Unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." Thirdly-A double portion of the paternal inheritance appertained to the first born. And

*Gen. xxii. 11, 12.

Abraham's servant being arrived in Mesopotamia, in search of a wife for Isaac, his young master, providentially conducted, lights on Rebekah, the sister of this Laban, by the well of water. Having briefly unfolded his commission, and made her a present suitable to his master's rank and affluence, she runs home to acquaint her re

attracted by the sight of the gold, and by the account he had heard, of the state in which Abraham's servant travelled, very prudently concludes, that such a connexion might be improved to very great advantage. Hence that profusion of civility and kindness to an entire stranger, "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord, wherefore standest thou without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels."*

Did we not afterwards discover him to be grovelling, greedy, and mercenary, this might have passed for the language of kindness and hospitality. But, when the whole is taken in connexion, we see a man from first to last invariably attached to his own interest, employing his very daughters as mere instruments of commerce, and prizing nothing, but in proportion as it ministered to his own advantage.

this perhaps explains the meaning of Elisha's | request at the rapture of Elijah, "Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me:" not as if he meant to ask, or expect, twice so much as Elijah had, but the share of an elder brother. Fourthly-The honour of priesthood resided then and for many years after, in the first born, and was justly considered as the first of privileges. Finally-lations of the adventure. Laban, instantly The promise of the Messiah," the first born among many brethren," was entailed upon the eldest son: and this was justly understood to confer a dignity and lustre infinitely superior to all temporal blessings. The guilt of Esau consisted in undervaluing and despising an advantage so distinguished.The offence of Jacob's fraud is greatly extenuated, if not wholly extinguished, in the nobility and worth of the prize for which he contended. Behold him, then, retiring from the presence of his deluded father, who had prescience sufficient to discern, at the distance of ages, the future fortunes of his family, without sagacity capable of discerning the imposture, which was, at that very instant, practising upon his credulity and want of sight. Behold Jacob retired, in possession indeed of the blessing, but haunted with the terrors which eternally pursue the man, who Of all the passions of our nature, there is is conscious to himself, that he has acted none so steady, uniform, and consistent as wrong. He has gained the birthright, but this is. Avarice never tires by exercise, he has lost a brother. He has by subtilty never loses sight of its object: it gathers stolen away the prophetic benediction, but strength by gratification, grows vigorous by he has raised up against himself an implaca- old age, and inflames the heart, when the ble foe. The possession of nothing yields vital fluid can hardly force a passage through that satisfaction which we promised our- it. What a feast for such a spirit, the conselves in it beforehand; and conscience will cluding scene of the marriage treaty for Renot permit us to enjoy peaceably that which bekah! "The servant brought forth jewels we have acquired unworthily. His father's of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, blessing announced every kind and degree of prosperity," the dew of heaven, the fatness of the earth, the servitude of nations and people, lordship over his brethren." But he is instantly constrained to become an exile and a wanderer from his father's house. And when he himself comes to make the estimate of his own life, in the close of it-what is the amount? "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been." His elder Behold then, in the covenant head and rebrother is declared his inferior, but he has presentative of the holy family, "a Syrian by much the stronger arm of the two. And, ready to perish," leaving the paternal roof while he is practising deceit upon his near- without an attendant, without a guide, withest relations in Canaan, Providence is silent-out a companion; more forlorn than his ly preparing the means of requiting him in Padan-aram, in the person of one already a near relation, and about to be much more closely allied to him, Laban the Syrian, a man much more cunning and selfish, and much less scrupulous than himself. As this is a character which the inspired painter has delineated with peculiar felicity and skill, it may now be necessary to look back for a few moments, and to observe the first opening of Laban's spirit and temper, as they appear on the face of the sacred drama.

and gave them to Rebekah : he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things." Such was the man, with whom Jacob was now destined to spend a very considerable part of his life; and whose treatment of him, in the eyes of the severest judge, may pass as a sufficient punishment for the little fallacies which he had practised in his father's house.

grandfather Abraham himself. For the bitterness of his exile was alleviated by the company and conversation of his beloved Sarah; whereas, the affliction of Jacob's banishment was grievously increased, by the consciousness that he had brought it upon himself; and from the bitter necessity of enduring its wearisome days and nights by himself alone. What could have supported a man in such circumstances? A man, who was attached to domestic life; a plain man,

*Gen. xxiv. 31.

† Gen. xxiv. 53.

firmity, of like passions with others," and whose faults are but the more conspicuous, from the honourable station, and employment to which they were called. It will follow, Secondly; That the comparison is not to be stated and pursued through every particular incident of the life, and every feature of the personal character of the person who is the type. Men of very different characters, and in very different situations, typified the Saviour of the world. To suppose every article of their history, condition, and character to be typical and prophetic, would therefore, in many instances, involve absurdity and contradiction. Samson, David, and many others who might be mentioned, were eminent types of Christ; but then, the resemblance holds only in certain great leading circumstances: the miraculous conception, for example, the Nazaritic sanctity, the invincible strength, the solitary, victorious achievements, the triumphant death of the former: the divine appointment and elevation, the royal dignity, the providential suc cess of the latter, the subduing all the

"abiding in tents;" a man who had fondly flattered himself with the hope of power and tranquillity; who had dreamed of superiority over his brother, but had not attained unto it! I can think of but one thing, that could have rendered his lot supportable, as it then stood. Jacob, after all, was a good man.His conduct was not indeed pure and perfect, but his heart was right with God. He had once and again been mistaken in the means which he had employed, but he had all along aimed at the noblest and most important end: and, from the chagrin and disappointment which ever attended the plans of his own devising, he had always a sure and a satisfying refuge, in the wisdom and mercy of God. In truth, he had not attained the knowledge of true practical, vital religion, in the house of even his father Isaac, in Lahai-roi: but he learns it in silence and in solitude, in the plains of Luz. It is a good thing for a young man to feel his own weight, "to bear the yoke in his youth." At ease, and in a multitude, we forget God-in retirement and danger, we learn and feel our dependence, and call to remembrance a long-church's enemies; these and the like, are forgotten God.

This is also a proper stage for resting on our way. We cannot lead our traveller from home, till we have found for him a place where to lodge. We cannot bear to see him from under the protection of the parental wing, till we are secure that he has got another protector and friend, that "friend who sticketh closer than a brother."

the typical circumstances. But to pursue the resemblance throughout, to make every action of Samson's or of David's life typical of something correspondent in the Messiah, would lead far beyond absurdity; it would issue in impiety and blasphemy.

Thirdly; Scripture by direct application, or by fair, unrestrained analogy, ought therefore to lead, to regulate, and to correct all Conformity to the plan we have proposed, our inquiries of this sort. We shall else be and regard to the analogy of scripture, would in danger of rearing a baseless, flimsy strucnow lead us to exhibit the patriarch Jacob, ture in the clouds, which can afford neither as a type of the Messiah, to whom patriarchs shelter nor rest. When pleasant amusement and "prophets all give witness," and who alone is the object, invention and fancy may was specially prefigured by the son of Isaac. be allowed their full exertion. But when But, his story is not yet sufficiently ad- we aim at religious instruction, we must be vanced, to afford a foundation broad and solid contented to take the Spirit of God for our enough to support a comparison, such as a guide. And here too, men ought to be more extended view of the subject will fur-jealous and watchful over their own spirits; nish, and such as might more rationally con- lest, in endeavouring to establish a favourite duce to the ends of edification. We deem system, and to justify or support preconit of more importance, at this period, to sub-ceived opinions, they give to their own wild mit to your consideration a few general observations, respecting typical representation, and the proper use to be made of it.

First; In order to constitute a proper type, it is by no means necessary, that the person who answers this important purpose should possess perfect moral qualities. Were this requisite, who ever was worthy to represent the Son of God, the holy Jesus, "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his lips?" But as "the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity," though the law gives no countenance to error or infirmity; so Providence, "at sundry times and in divers manners," raised up men to prefigure to their contemporaries an immaculate Saviour, who were themselves "compassed with in

imaginations the solidity and weight of divine truth, and, departing from the simplicity of the gospel, presume to stamp the poor trash of their own brain with the sacred impress of God. It has often, and with too much justice, been lamented, that many apply to the Bible for a justification of the opinions which they have already formed, and which they are determined, at all risks, to maintain; and not to receive the information which they need, and to rectify the prejudices under which they labour.

Finally; To determine the nature and propriety of typical representation, it is of importance to inquire, Whether or not the resemblance which we mean to pursue, has a tendency to promote some moral, practical,