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Now Abraham greatly loved Isaac, as being his only begotten
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and given to him at the borders of old age, by the favor of God. The child
also endeared himself to his parents still more, by the exercise of every
virtue, and adhering to his duty to his parents, and being zealous in the
worship of God. Abraham also placed his own happiness in this prospect,
that, when he should die, he should leave this his son in a safe and secure
condition; which accordingly he obtained by the will of God: who being
desirous to make an experiment of Abraham's religious disposition towards
himself, appeared to him, and enumerated all the blessings he had bestowed
on him; how he had made him superior to his enemies; and that his son Isaac,
who was the principal part of his present happiness, was derived from him;
and he said that he required this son of his as a sacrifice and holy oblation.
Accordingly he commanded him to carry him to the mountain Moriah, and to
build an altar, and offer him for a burnt-offering upon it for that this
would best manifest his religious disposition towards him, if he preferred
what was pleasing to God, before the preservation of his own son.
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Now Abraham thought that it was not right to disobey God in any thing,
but that he was obliged to serve him in every circumstance of life, since
all creatures that live enjoy their life by his providence, and the kindness
he bestows on them. Accordingly he concealed this command of God, and his
own intentions about the slaughter of his son, from his wife, as also from
every one of his servants, otherwise he should have been hindered from
his obedience to God; and he took Isaac, together with two of his servants,
and laying what things were necessary for a sacrifice upon an ass, he went
away to the mountain. Now the two servants went along with him two days;
but on the third day, as soon as he saw the mountain, he left those servants
that were with him till then in the plain, and, having his son alone with
him, he came to the mountain. It was that mountain upon which king David
afterwards built the temple.
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Now they had brought with them every thing necessary for a sacrifice, excepting
the animal that was to be offered only. Now Isaac was twenty-five years
old. And as he was building the altar, he asked his father what he was
about to offer, since there was no animal there for an oblation : - to
which it was answered, "That God would provide himself an oblation,
he being able to make a plentiful provision for men out of what they have
not, and to deprive others of what they already have, when they put too
much trust therein; that therefore, if God pleased to be present and propitious
at this sacrifice, he would provide himself an oblation."
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As soon as the altar was prepared, and Abraham had laid on the wood,
and all things were entirely ready, he said to his son, "O son, I
poured out a vast number of prayers that I might have thee for my son;
when thou wast come into the world, there was nothing that could contribute
to thy support for which I was not greatly solicitous, nor any thing wherein
I thought myself happier than to see thee grown up to man's estate, and
that I might leave thee at my death the successor to my dominion; but since
it was by God's will that I became thy father, and it is now his will that
I relinquish thee, bear this consecration to God with a generous mind;
for I resign thee up to God who has thought fit now to require this testimony
of honor to himself, on account of the favors he hath conferred on me,
in being to me a supporter and defender. Accordingly thou, my son, wilt
now die, not in any common way of going out of the world, but sent to God,
the Father of all men, beforehand, by thy own father, in the nature of
a sacrifice. I suppose he thinks thee worthy to get clear of this world
neither by disease, neither by war, nor by any other severe way, by which
death usually comes upon men, but so that he will receive thy soul with
prayers and holy offices of religion, and will place thee near to himself,
and thou wilt there be to me a succorer and supporter in my old age; on
which account I principally brought thee up, and thou wilt thereby procure
me God for my Comforter instead of thyself."
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Now Isaac was of such a generous disposition as became the son of
such a father, and was pleased with this discourse; and said, "That
he was not worthy to be born at first, if he should reject the determination
of God and of his father, and should not resign himself up readily to both
their pleasures; since it would have been unjust if he had not obeyed,
even if his father alone had so resolved." So he went immediately
to the altar to be sacrificed. And the deed had been done if God had not
opposed it; for he called loudly to Abraham by his name, and forbade him
to slay his son; and said, "It was not out of a desire of human blood
that he was commanded to slay his son, nor was he willing that he should
be taken away from him whom he had made his father, but to try the temper
of his mind, whether he would be obedient to such a command. Since therefore
he now was satisfied as to that his alacrity, and the surprising readiness
he showed in this his piety, he was delighted in having bestowed such blessings
upon him; and that he would not be wanting in all sort of concern about
him, and in bestowing other children upon him; and that his son should
live to a very great age; that he should live a happy life, and
bequeath a large principality to his children, who should be good and legitimate."
He foretold also, that his family should increase into many nations
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and that those patriarchs should leave behind them an everlasting name;
that they should obtain the possession of the land of
Canaan, and be envied
by all men. When God had said this, he produced to them a ram, which did
not appear before, for the sacrifice. So Abraham and Isaac receiving each
other unexpectedly, and having obtained the promises of such great blessings,
embraced one another; and when they had sacrificed, they returned to Sarah,
and lived happily together, God affording them his assistance in all things
they desired.