Joseph reminded the chief butler and baker that interpretations belong unto God; and so it is, secret things belong unto the Lord our God. But it often pleased God, before the Holy Scriptures were finished, to shew unto his servants the things which would shortly come to pass. It is not so now, because we have the Holy Bible to teach us to trust in God.

It came to pass to both these servants of the king, as Joseph had said. Perhaps the chief butler had been put in prison without cause, and the king was about to find it out, and would set him free. You see how thankful and happy he looks. But the chief baker is filled with terror, when he finds that he must die, by his country's laws-But he had still three days to live, and Joseph could tell him of a Saviour whose blood cleanseth from all sin; and it may have been that the poor wretched man learned from the faithful Joseph to know and love his Saviour, and to look beyond the grave to that blessed world where pardoned

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sinners dwell with God for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Joseph said to the chief butler, "Think on me when it shall be well with thee." Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him and Joseph was left in the prison. The Lord Jesus does not so forget those who put their trust in Him. He is gone back to the palace of the King of kings; and there He thinks of everyone who prays to Him. Once a poor dying thief said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." The Lord Jesus was dying on the cross when the poor thief said, "Lord, remember me," but Jesus answered, "Verily, I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Joseph was forsaken and forgotten by man, but his God did not forsake or forget him. It was for Joseph's sake that God had sent those dreams to the prisoners whom Joseph guarded, as you will soon see. In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence, and His children shall have a place of refuge. The blessed Abel

found that place of refuge at once in Heaven ; but Jacob, and his beloved Joseph, found it first in God upon earth.

I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my Help and my Deliverer ; make no tarrying, O my God.-PSALM xl. 17.

XVII.- -JOSEPH AND PHARAOH.

WHEN the chief butler went back to the palace of the king, Joseph thought he had a friend who would soon find a way to set him free. But Satan, the Evil Spirit, who takes away good thoughts out of our hearts, took out of the chief butler's heart the remembrance of Joseph. The chief butler knew that Joseph was a servant of the Most High God, the Revealer of secrets; he knew that Joseph had done no wrong; Joseph had served him with gentle kindness, and eased his mind in his distress, yet he made no mention of him; he did not go to see how he was, or to carry him the least comfort in his sad condition in one of Egypt's dungeons. The chief butler was free, and prosperous, and at ease, and he forgot the suffering servant of the Lord who had shewn him so much kindness. The