How admirable a pattern is this for parents, in reference to the forming of matrimonial connexions for their children! The generality are influenced chiefly by the family and fortune of those with whom they seek to be allied : and even professors of godliness are too often swayed by considerations like these, without adverting sufficiently to the interest of their immortal souls. But surely the religious character of a person ought to operate upon our minds beyond any other consideration whatever. To what purpose has God told us, that the believer can have no communion with an unbeliever, any more than light with darkness, or Christ with Belial d? To what purpose has he enjoined us to marry " only in the Lorde" if we are stijl at liberty to follow our carnal inclinations and our worldly interests, without any regard to our eternal welfare ? Let the example of Abraham and of Isaac have its due weight on all, whether parents or children : and let a concern for God's honour regulate our conduct, as well in choosing connexions for ourselves, as in sanctioning the choice of others.]
The servant executed his commission with fidelity and dispatch —
[Never was there a brighter pattern of a servant than that which this history sets before us. In every step that Abraham's servant took, he shewed how worthy he was to be intrusted with so important a mission. In his first setting-out he acted with great prudence : for, if he had gone alone without any evidences of Iris master's wealth, he could not expect that he should obtain credit for his assertions. Therefore, without any specific directions from his master, he took ten camels richly laden, and, with them, a proper number of attendants; who, while they evinced the opulence of his master, would be wit- nesses also of his own conduct. His dependence indeed was upon God, and not on any devices of his own : nevertheless he rightly judged that a dependence upon God was not to super- sede the exercise of wisdom and discretion.
Having reached the place of his destination, he earnestly implored direction and blessing from God : and in order that he might ascertain the will of God, he entreated that the woman designed for him might of her own accord offer to water all his camels. A better sign he could not well have asked : because such an offer, freely made to a stranger, would indicate a most amiable disposition : it would demonstrate at once the humility, the industry, the affability, the extreme kindness of the female ; and would be a pledge, that she who could be so courteous and obliging to a stranger, would certainly con- duct herself well in the relation of a wife. Scarcely had he
d 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15. e 1 Cor. vii. 39.