II. Its emblematic import —
Fearful as we would be, exceeding fearful, of im- posing any sense upon the Holy Scriptures, which God himself has not plainly sanctioned, we will not take upon ourselves absolutely to affirm that the marriage of Isaac was allegorical : but when we consider that some of the most striking parts of Isaac's history are explained by the inspired writers as emblematical of some mystery ; that as the promised seed, born in a preternatural way, he was certainly a type of Christ ; and that, as being the heir in opposition to Ishmael, he shadowed forth that spiritual seed who should inherit the promises ; when we consider too the marvellous circumstances attending his marriage ; we cannot reasonably doubt, but that it was a figure or emblem of some mysterious truth. If this ground of interpretation be admitted, we do not then hesi- tate to say, what that point is which it was intended to prefigure : it was certainly the marriage of God's only dear Son to his bride, the church.
1. God, like Abraham, sends forth his servants to obtain a bride for his Son —
[The object nearest to the heart of our heavenly Father is to bring souls into connexion with his dear Son. This con- nexion is often represented under the idea of a marriage. Not to mention the innumerable places in the Old Testament where this image is used, we would only observe, that Jesus Christ is expressly called " the Bridegroom;" that his servants are called " the friends of the bridegroom, who hear his voice, and rejoice" in his prosperityf; and that the church is called " the Lamb's wifeg." Ministers are sent forth to prevail on persons to unite themselves to him by faith, so as to become one flesh, and one spirit11, with him. And when they are successful in any instances, " they espouse their converts to one husband, that they may present them as a chaste virgin to Christ1." To this office they are sworn in the most solemn manner: they are warned, that they shall be called to an account for their discharge of it ; that if any through their neglect remain unim- pressed with his overtures of mercy, their souls shall be required
f John hi. 29. s Rev. xxi. 9. h Eph. v. 30. 1 Cor. vi. 15, 17.
1 2 Cor. xi. 2. Who that weighs these words, can doubt the propriety of interpreting Isaac's marriage as emblematical of Christ's union with the Church 1