Abraham was lest he should form an idolatrous connexion, and being himself animated by the same pious sentiment, he was desirous that his sons should follow his own example. But Esau, who, with his birth-right, had renounced all regard to true religion, gave way to unlawful desires, and took two wives at once into a family hitherto distinguished by a scrupulous adherence to the ordinances of Jehovah.

But though his eldest son had thus openly opposed the principles of the true religion, Isaac continued his partiality towards him, and was desirous that the blessing of the covenant should descend upon him. Finding himself, therefore, bowed down with the infirmities of old age, and likely soon to end his pilgrimage, he called for Esau, and gave him a charge to procure some of his favourite venison, and to dress it, as he was wont to do, promising afterwards to confer upon him his blessing.

The motive of Isaac in this instance was improper, and shows not only an unbecoming attachment to Esau, but one founded upon a sensual principle. His palate was pleased with the peculiar savouriness of Esau's venison, and on that account he overlooked his heinous departure from the pure principles of religion. His marriage into heathenish families was forgotten, and the doating father resolved to give his blessing, not where Providence led, but where affection and indiscreet partiality inclined him. Rebekah, who had heard the orders and promise given by her husband, resolved to counteract his design, induced so to do by no better motives than those of Isaac. Full of love for her favourite son, she persuaded him to personaté Esau ; and having dressed such meat as she knew was agreeable to Isaac, she put the skins of kids upon Jacob's hands, and clothed him with hist brother's garments, and in that disguise carried him to present the meat unto his father. The patriarch, being nearly blind, could not discern the fraud that was put upon him; but having some mistrust from the quickness with which his son had discharged his

commission, he felt the hands of Jacob, and finding that they were hairy, like those of his favourite, he said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. So he blessed him." After partaking of the meat he kissed his son, and pronoun-` ced a solemn blessing upon him in the spirit of prophecy. Jacob had hardly quitted the chamber before Esau returned, and brought of the venison which he had dressed, according to his father's request. The old man, grieved, and astonished at the circumstance, trembled; and Esau, when informed of the deception, cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, saying," Bless me, even me also, O my father." Isaac could not revoke the terms of the blessing which he had pronounced upon Jacob. He was sensible that the whole was of Divine appointment, and therefore confirmed the promise in this strong manner: "I have blessed him, yea, and he shall be blessed." The elder son, in language which one would imagine proceeded from a tender spirit, exclaimed, "Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?"

Isaac, who was desirous to bestow all that he could upon his first-born, without violating the direction of the Almighty, "answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; and by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother: and it shall come to pass, when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck."

Esau was so exasperated against his brother for this fraud, that he formed the design of assassinating him; but as if he had some regard for the peace of his father, he resolved to put off his malicious intent till the "days of mourning for him should be ended." Rebekah, being informed of the evil purpose of Esau, persuaded Isaac to send Jacob to her brother Laban, that he might take a wife from among his kindred; and, on dismissing his younger son, the patriarch

confirmed the benediction which he had before pro nounced upon him.

Esau, provoked still more at this escape of Jacob, and at the conduct of his father towards him, plunged deeper into immorality and profaneness, taking, as it should seem out of meer spite to Isaac, one of the daughters of Ishmael to wife.

Thus was the partiality of the patriarch requited by the apostacy and licentiousness of his first-born. How seldom do these fond distinctions answer the expectations of parents, or bring credit upon the motives from which they arise! Isaac indulged Esau in pursuits which were little calculated to render him a good member of society, a dutiful child, or a pious servant of GOD, merely because he was fond of the venison which he procured. The hunter turned out in consequence a man of lawless passions, irreligious, and, finally, disobedient. The peace of the family was broken at a time when the two sons should have vied with each other in contributing to the ease and comfort of their parents, and the close of Isaac's life was embittered by the exile of one child, and the profane conduct of the other.

But the designs and passions of men are over-ruled by the providence of GOD, to bring to pass his own wise and gracious purposes. It was his will that the promise should run in the line of Jacob, and in the accomplishment of it he made use of the weakness of Isaac and the ambition of Rebekah.

Yet we are not from hence to conclude that the artifice made use of by her, or the falsehood uttered by Jacob, were pleasing in the sight of GOD. He loveth truth in the inward parts, and cannot endure a lie in his own servants. But the evil purposes of men he turns to good, and from their wrath he produces consequences subservient to his own glory.

When Isaac sent Jacob to Padan-aram, to elude the revenge of his brother Esau, he had little expectation of seeing him any more. But though Jacob was absent forty years, the Almighty prolonged the

life of the patriarch, so that Isaac had the satisfaction of embracing his son again, and of hearing that Esau and Jacob had embraced each other by the way.

The life of Isaac during that space is passed over in silence; and doubtless it was not distinguished by any incident of moment, otherwise the sacred historian would have noticed it. But it was not passed without usefulness. His religious character forbids us to suppose that so good a man neglected to live during that time in the regular discharge of nose duties which lay upon him as the head of a family, the heir of the promise, a patriarch, and a priest. He lived in sweet communion with GOD; and though no variety of circumstances distinguished his life, yet his example affords a beautiful picture for imitation. His filial affection holds out a lesson to young persons: his piety secured him the Divine favour, and a peaceable enjoyment of the land of promise; and his love to his family was rewarded by seeing harmony restored after a sad breach occasioned by his own partiality. The venerable saint, at the age of one hundred and fourscore years, yielded up his spirit into the hands of the God of Abraham his father, and probably in the presence of his sons Esau and Jacob; for it is said that the two brothers united in paying the last solemn rites to their father.

JACOB.

Born Anno Mundi 2169, died 2616.

THERE is a striking variety in the characters and circumstances of the three illustrious fathers of the chosen people of GOD. In ABRAHAM we have seen the man of powerful faith, magnanimity and valour. In ISAAC we are led to admire the pensive, retired, and domestic character. His son JACOB presents himself to us with different qualities, and his life ex

hibits a number of striking incidents. Yet each of these pious men claims our veneration by an unshaken fidelity to GOD, by the example of virtuous life, by various prominent excellencies of character, and by being the appointed means of preserving the great doctrines of religion, especially the promise of that MESSIAH, who was to descend from them according to the flesh, to restore the ruins of the fall.

Isaac and Rebekah had been married twenty years without having a child; which gave them considerable concern, especially as they relied upon the promise of an extensive line of posterity. Yet for so long a period did the Lord choose to try the faith of the patriarch, as he had done that of his father. Isaac laid the case in prayer before God, and his prayer was more than answered; for Rebekah bare twins, who struggled as it were, for superiority, even in the birth. The first-born was called Esau, which signifies RED, on account of his complexion; and the other Jacob, or THE SUPPLANTER.

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As these youths grew up, their dispositions and pursuits varied in the extreme. Esau, robust and impetuous, devoted his time wholly to the sports of the field; but Jacob was a plain man," easy in his temper, and of a domestic turn. The first gained his father's affections by bringing him venison, which the old man loved; and the other became the darling of Rebekah, by the softness of his manners, and by his ready obedience to her will.

Rebekah, while she was with child, went and inquired of the Lord repecting her condition, and received for answer this prophecy: "Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people, and the elder shall serve the younger." This circumstance accounts plainly for that partiality which she had for Jacob, and for the steps she took to wrest the blessing from his brother. But evil is not to be done that good may come of it; and though Isaac was blameable