able intimacy with God. Such frequent special manifestations, we have reason to believe, were accompanied with a life of habitual devotion, and an "acknowledgment of God in all his ways." The greater presupposes the less, and the special were the signal instances which mingled with an habitual, though less extraordinary communion with God. But, these visitations were as gracious as they were frequent. They were made to encourage hope, inspire confidence, and to dissipate fears. They were benignant in their import, and eminently seasonable as to the times and circumstances of their occurrence. Take as an illustration the first on record. By the anger, and murderous designs of his brother Esau, he was compelled to leave his father's house, and seek refuge in a distant land. Solitary, and sorrowful, he prosecuted his journey. His thoughts of beloved friends, and familiar domestic scenes, from which he was now hastening away, and which he might never see again, could not fail to inspire despondency, render his way cheerless, and his travel toilsome. In prospect he had nothing definite, and full of promise to alleviate his grief, and to encourage by anticipation what reception he would find by Laban, or what would be his employment, and condition there he could not foresee. A hapless, fugitive youth, no companion to cheer him, and divert his anxious cares. No wise and sympathising friend to minister counsel and encouragement. Yes: he had "a friend who sticketh closer than a brother," and "is a present help in time of need." God Almighty, whose blessing his father had so devoutly implored for him, when he sent him a way, was the companion of his journey, and in visions of the night revealed his purposes of kindness, and gave him promises of large, and joyous hope. "And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran, and lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set: and he took of the stones of the place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord

God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land wherein thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south and in thee, and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: for I will not leave thee until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." We may, although inadequately, imagine the change produced in the feelings, and prospects of Jacob, by this gracious communication from God. How cheering was the assurance, "Behold I am with thee, and will

and how large the promises! keep thee in all places whither thou goest." The darkness, and loneliness of his position, and the hardness of his pillows are all more than relieved by manifestations so wonderful, and so kind. With courage he may now proceed; and to life's latest hour he will remember, and be sustained by the prospect of an inheritance so valuable, an offspring so numberless, manifestations so wonderful, and gracious, and in the protection, and favor of the God of Abraham, and Isaac. I advert to only one other remarkable visitation from God. It was in the immediate prospect of meeting his brother Esau again. Fears of his continued displeasure, and of deeds of vengeful retribution disquieted him; and he had made the best practicable arrangements to soothe, and propitiate the wrath of Esau. In this season, and in these circumstances of painful anxiety, and apprehension God appears, and prepares him for the issue. "And Jacob was left alone, in the night, and there wrestled with him a man, until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint as he wrestled with him. And he said,

Let me go, for the day breaketh; and he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God, and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." This, as well as the case of Elias, referred to by the apostle James, eminently illustrates the encouraging fact that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." The case is extraordinary in its manner, and circumstances. There were not only the pleadings, and persevering importunity of prayer, but actual mental, and bodily effort. The record simply is, that "a man wrestled with Jacob." That it was a vision, or a dream only, is not intimated. The facts in this case, I judge, were these: "The angel of the covenant," the Son of God, as on other occasions, assumed a human form ; and between him, and Jacob was this trial of strength, and contest for victory. The object for which Jacob so perseveringly contended, was the blessing of him with whom he wrestled. This God only can efficiently bestow; and that it was God, was the conviction, and the express affirmation of Jacob. "I have seen God face to face." Did this contest prove that he was then unwilling to bestow his blessing on Jacob? If so he had not come. Why then this protracted, and strenuous resistance? To increase his estimation of the value of the benefit sought, and obtained; and show the earnestness, and strong desire of him who would not be denied. It was designed, also, to increase the power of effort, and the hope of victory, by calling them into exercise. He came to bless: but would have the suppliant show how dearly he valued the blessing which he desired to obtain. So God often deals with his saints. To their prayers he seems to turn a deaf ear. Their feeling of need, and the importance of the benefit will not allow them to rest. They renew, and urge their suit with greater earnestness: still the desired blessing does not come. It cannot, however, be relinquished. Desire

has increased. The importance, and necessity of the benefit are more clearly seen, and more deeply felt. It must be obtained; and a holy vehemence at last prevails.

The evil deeds anguish of which a

7th. Let us, next, consider Jacob in another aspect of his condition, "as a happy man in old age." I do not mean perfectly happy, but happy in his circumstances, compared with the preceding condition, and experience of his life; and happy in so far as piety, and the most favorable state of his worldly circumstances could render him, whilst a sojourner on earth. The answer given by Jacob to the question of Pharaoh, "How old art thou ?" was eminently true in his case, and is also true of every man. Each may truly say, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been." The vicissitudes which he had experienced were very many, and many of them in no small degree afflictive. These he had known in the days of his youth. As the father of a family, he had trials of no ordinary severity. of his children had caused him griefs, the pious, and affectionate parent, alone, can feel. He had known the joys of abundance, but had also known the dismay, and urgency of want. But the years of his residence in Egypt were, in all temporal respects, tranquil, and pleasant: like a ship now safely moored in the desired haven, which had long experienced the tossings, and tempests of the ocean. The change of condition, and of all circumstances, was eminently felicitous. From want, and even from all apprehensions of such a calamity, he was now entirely relieved. He has recovered his long lost Joseph, and rejoices in him, not as a prodigal restored; even that would have been reason of joy; but he has found his son in all the loveliness of moral purity, and pious character; in possession of earth's abundance, exalted nearly to the summit of earthly glory, and virtually to supreme power. Not to enjoy splendid indolence, but to be, extensively, the benefactor of men. He was, in fact, the divinely appointed almoner of needy, perishing millions. Even to see Joseph would, to the Patriarch, have been unutterable bliss; how much more to see, and enjoy him as he then was? With Joseph were also his other sons: not even one a wanderer

in distant lands, and climes, to keep awake deep concern, painful fears, and anxious solicitude. All were with him, and all in peace. No rival jealousies to disquiet; no emulations of strife to infuse anguish into a father's heart. They were brethren dwelling together in unity, and all exempt from heavy toils, and disturbing cares. To an affectionate father, what a rich, and various accumulation of bliss! To a pious mind, what constraining motives to gratitude to God, and confidence in his overruling providence, and abundant mercy! To this scene of Jacob's happiness imagination can add no needful charm, nor other reason of contentment, and delight. We grudge him not his joys, but rejoice with him rejoicing. The day of life had its vicissitudes of clouds, and storms; but the comparatively long series of its seventeen declining years, was "calm as summer evenings be." Of that pious pilgrim the latter years were peace. "And Joseph placed his father, and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father's household with bread, according to their families."-Gen. 47:11, 12. "And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; and so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred, forty, and seven years.— v. 28th.

8thly. I add only one other remark, upon the various aspects of the character, and condition of Jacob. "He was eminent in his death."

The

His earthly felicity in Egypt must have been great; but it had its assigned, and unavoidable termination. This residence, though associated with so many joys, was "not the place of his rest." From Joseph, and other kindred, however dear, and worldly scenes, however tranquil, and joyous, be must remove. prophets, where are they? The Patriarchs did not live forever. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob left this world to go to their fathers, and to the enjoyment of the God of their fathers. "And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was