his littleness, his danger, and his utter insufficiency to deliver his soul and such, in measure, appears to have been the design of Joseph, according to the wisdom that was imparted to him on this singular occasion. If his brethren had known all, they would not have felt as they did: but neither would they have been brought to so right a state of mind, nor have been prepared, as they were, for that which followed. And if we knew all, with respect to the mysterious dispensations of God, we should have less pain; but then we should be less humbled, and less fitted to receive the mercy which is prepared for us.

It is remarkable how this circumstance operates on their minds. They construe it to mean something against them; but in what way they know not. They do not reproach the man, the lord of the land, though it is likely from his treatment of them that they would suspect some ill design against them: but overlooking second causes, they ask, What is this that God hath done to us! To his righteous judgment they attributed what they had already met with; (ver. 21, 22.) and now it seems to them that he is still pursuing them in a mysterious way, and with a design to require their brother's blood at their hand. Such a construction, though painful for the present, was the most useful to them of any that could have been put upon it.

Ver. 29-35. Arriving at their father's house, they tell him of all that had befallen them in Egypt, that they may account for their coming home without Simeon, and being required when they went again to take Benjamin with them. But the mysterious circumstance of the money being found by the way in their sacks, they appear to have concealed. Mention is made of only one of the sacks being opened; yet by what they afterwards said to the steward, (Chap. xliii. 21.) it appears that they opened them all, and found every man's money in his sack's mouth. But they might think their father would have blamed them for not returning with it when they were only a day's journey from Egypt, and therefore agreed to say nothing to him about it, but leave him to find it out. Hence it is that they are represented, on opening their sacks, as discovering the money in a manner as if they knew nothing of it

before; not only participating with their father in his apprehensions, but seeming also to join with him in his surprise.

Ver. 36-38. If the discovery of the money affected Jacob, much more the requirement of his darling son. This touches him to the quick. He cannot help thinking of the end that Joseph had come to. The reasons he had had to suspect some foul dealing in that affair, had probably made him resolve long ago that Benjamin should never be trusted in their hands! Yet things are now so circumstanced that he must go with them. It was a distressing case. Jacob speaks, as well he might, in great anguish; having in a manner lost all his earthly hopes, save one; and of that he is now in danger of being deprived. His words have too much peevish sorrow about them: they certainly reflect upon his sons; and the last sentence would almost seem to contain a reflection upon Providence. The words, All these things are against me, must have some reference to the promise, I will surely do thee good; and if so, they were like saying, Is this the way? Surely not!' Yet so it was. The conduct of God towards Jacob is covered with as great a mystery as that of Joseph towards his brethren; but all will be right at last. Much present trouble arises from our not knowing the whole truth.

In mentioning the name of Joseph, Jacob had touched a tender place; an old wound, which Providence too had been lately probing. On this occasion, all that were guilty, you will perceive, are silent. Reuben is the only one that speaks, and he dares not touch that subject; but with strong and passionate language seems to aim to divert his mind from it, and to fix it upon Benjamin only: Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee. This language so far answers the end, as that no more is said of their having bereaved him of Joseph but he still dwells upon his being dead, nor can he at present be persuaded to part with his brother. If mischief, saith he, befall him in the way in which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

DISCOURSE L.

THE SECOND INTERVIEW BETWEEN JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN.

Gen. xliii.

VER. 1, 2. THE relief obtained by the first journey to Egypt is soon exhausted for the famine was sore in the land, and therefore nothing of its native productions could be added to the other to make it last the longer. Go, said Jacob to his sons, and buy us a little food. Avarice and distrust would have wished for much, and have been for hoarding it in such a time as this: but Jacob is contented with a little, desirous that others should have a part as well as himself; and with respect to futurity, he puts his trust in God.

Ver. 3-5. But here the former difficulty recurs: they cannot, must not, will not go without their younger brother. This is trying. Nature struggles with nature; the affection of the father with the calls of hunger: but the former must yield. Jacob does not appear however, at present, to be entirely willing: wherefore Judah, considering it as a fit opportunity, urges the matter, alleging the peremptory language of the man, the lord of the land, on the subject.

Ver. 6, 7. This brings forth one more feeble objection, or rather complaint, and which must be the last: Wherefore dealt ye so ill with me as to tell the man whether ye had yet a brother? To which they very properly answer that they could not do otherwise, being so straitly examined: nor was it possible for them to know the use that would be made of it.

Ver. 8-10. While matters were thus hanging in suspense, Judah very seasonably and kindly attempts to smooth the difficulty to his father, by offering in the most solemn manner to be surety for the lad, and to bear the blame for ever if he did not bring him back and set him before him. In addition to this, he alleges that the life of the whole family depended upon his father's acquiescence, and that they had been too long detained already.

Ver. 11–14. And now Jacob must yield, must yield up his beloved Benjamin, though not without a mixture of painful reluctance but imperious necessity demands it. He who a few weeks before had said, My son shall not go down with you, is now upon the whole constrained to part with him. Thus have we often seen the tender relative, who in the first stages of an affliction thought it impossible to sustain the loss of a beloved object, gradually reconciled; and at length, witnessing the pangs of wasting disease, almost desirous of the removal. Thus it is that the wisdom and goodness of God are seen in our bereavements: the burden which at first threatens to crush us into the grave, being let down gradually upon our shoulders, becomes not only tolerable, but almost desirable.

But mark the manner in which the patriarch acquiesces: his is not the sullen consent of one who yields to fate, but in his heart rebels against it. No, he yields in a manner worthy of a man of God; proposing first that every possible mean should be used to conciliate the man, the lord of the land, and then commits the issue of the whole to God. Just thus he had acted when his brother Esau was coming against him with four hundred men. Chap. xxxii. 6-12. Take of the best fruits of the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present-take double money in your hands, and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks— take also your brother-and God almighty give you mercy before man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved, I am bereaved! The fruits of Canaan, especially in a time of famine, would be a great token of respect; the double money might be necessary, as the continuance of the famine might enhance the price of corn; and the restoration of that which was returned would prove their integrity,

the