remonies of music and dancing. He also accused him of stealing his gods, which Rachael had, in in fact, taken and concealed among the camel's furniture. To the first part of this complaint Jacob readily answered, by adverting to the va rious frauds which had been practised by his covetous uncle; and by expatiating on the ungrateful returns that had been made to his long and well tried services. But with respect to the theft he avowed his ignorance of the whole concern, and commanded that the most diligent search should be instantly made for the idols, in, order that the culprit, if discovered, should be put to death. Laban lost no time, but searched every tent with the utmost care; his labour however was rendered fruitless by Rachael's presence of mind; and he was at last obliged to submit to the loss of his precious goods. Some fresh expostulations now ensued between Laban, and Jacob, who mutually agreed to rear a pile of stones, as a standing monument of their friendship and pacific intentions. This design was immediately executed; a sacrifice was offered to God upon the occasion; the residue of the day was devoted to festivity; and next morning Laban, having bestowed his benedictions on the whole family, returned to Padan-Aram.

Jacob had no sooner obtained a complete deliverance from Laban's tyranny than he began to dread the effects of his elder brother's resentment, though his anxiety was, in some measure, allayed by a vision of a host of angels, who appeared to him on the road. He dispatched messengers to acquaint Esau with the prosperous state of his affairs, and to announce his return from Mesopotamia. Esau immediately went

forth

forth to meet him with so numerous a train of followers that Jacob concluded he came for his destruction. With this idea he divided his family into two bands, that if one perished the other might escape, addressed himself to God, in the language of true humility, for needful succour, and commanded his servants to advance, with some valuable presents of cattle, toward his brother, whose esteem might possibly be conciliated by so respectful a mode of conduct.

Having made these arrangements in the best manner his time and exigence would permit, he caused his family and flocks to pass the brook Jabbok very early in the morning, while he himself tarried at Mahanaim, and obtained a blessing from a divine apparition in the form of a man, with which he wrestled till break of day. His name was now changed from Jacob to Israel, which signifies a man that has prevailed with God; and the new assurances which he received of the heavenly protection encouraged him to proceed cheerfully till he had overtaken his family. His interview with Esau was pleasingly affecting, and he received a pressing invitation to Mount Seir; but thought proper to turn toward Saccoth, whence he afterward removed to Salem, a city belonging to the Shechemites, where he settled, and erected an altar, which he consecrated to the "mighty God of Israel."

1732.

In this situation, Jacob might, in all B, C. probability, have long enjoyed the blessings of domestic felicity, and the unfeigned respect of his neighbours, had not his two sons, Simeon and Levi, compelled him, by their

treacherous

treacherous massacre of the Shechemites, to remove nearer Mamre, where his father still resided.

Shortly after this event, Jacob, in obedience to the command of his Maker, conducted his family to Luz, afterward called Beth-el, where he built an altar, and called it El-Beth-el, or the God of Beth-el. His continuance at this place was however of short duration, as he was extremely anxious to visit his beloved father. In his journey toward Ephrath, Rachael fell in laboor, and, perceiving her approaching dissolutien, called the child Benoni, or the son of my affliction; but, after her decease, Jacob changed that melancholy name into Benjamin, or the son of my right hand. Rachael was interred in the way to Ephrath, and a stone monument was raised upon her grave. About the same time Reuben, having fallen in love with Bilhah, his father's concubine, committed an outrage, which made so deep an impression on Jacob's heart that he grieved for it to the day of his death.

Jacob at length arrived at the dwelling of his old father, with whom he continued till the good patriarch yielded his spirit into the hands of his Maker, in the hundred and eightieth year of his age. He was buried by his two sons in the cave of Machpelah, with Abraham and Sarah.

The felicity which Jacob had experi

B. C. enced during his last residence with his 1729. beloved parent had suffered a sensible dimunition, by the illiberal disposition and cruel conduct of some part of his family. Joseph, who (was then about seventeen years of age and the peculiar darling of his father, became the object

of

of his brethren's envy on account of his superior accomplishments, and the austerity of his virtue, which prompted him to make Jacob acquainted with the reprehensible conduct of the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. But envy was suddenly converted into the most irreconcilable hatred by his relating some remarkable dreams, which clearly prefigured his future exaltation, and the humi liation of his brethren. From this time they resolved on his destruction, and embraced the first opportunity of delivering themselves from the restraint, which his presence usually imposed on their actions. They agreed to kill him, and persuade their father that he was devoured by some wild beast; but, Reuben having prevailed on them to cast him into a pit where he might die with hunger, they changed their design, and sold him to a troop of Ishmaelites, who happened to pass with balm and spices, on their way to Egypt. Reuben, who was absent during this transaction, expressed the utmost astonishment when he perceived Joseph was gone, and uttered such lamentable complaints, as rendered the inhuman brothers still more solicitous to conceal the step they had taken. It was, however, universally agreed that Jacob should be deceived respecting the fate of his beloved child; in consequence of which Joseph's party-coloured coat. was dipped in the blood of a kid, and sent to the good patriarch, who, recognising the gar ment, exclaimed in an agony of despair, "Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces ;" and took his imaginary loss so much to heart that he did not cease mourning on account of it till he heard the surprising news of his son's advancement in Egypt. Joseph

VOL. II.

H

Joseph happened to be sold to an officer of the king's guard, named Potiphar, whom he served with such diligence, zeal, and fidelity, that he was soon entrusted with the entire management of his master's affairs. In this situation he captivated the affections of Potiphar's wife, who made several attempts to seduce him into a compliance with her unlawful desires; and one day, in particular, accosted him in so passionate a manner that Joseph fled abruptly from the house, leaving his upper garment, which she had laid hold of, in her hands. This repulse transported her instantaneously from the ex-" treme of wanton love to that of revenge: she accordingly brought together all her domestics who were within hearing, and charged the innocent Hebrew with her own crime, producing the garment as a confirmation of her tale. Potiphar, being deceived by his perfidious wife, was violently incensed against his servant, and caused him to be immediately thrown into prison.

Joseph had not been long in this melancholy situation before he ingratiated himself so effectually with the Egyptian gaoler that he entrusted him with the care of all the prisoners. Two of these persons, viz. Pharaoh's chief but. ler and baker acquainted Joseph with some remarkable dreams, which he readily interpreted, and also predicted the precise time of their accomplishment; observing that within three days the butler should be restored to his employment, and the baker put to death. He then implored the assistance and interest of the former, relating the sad story of his early captivity, the injustice of his late mistress, and what else