sacrifice of the Son of God,

"in whom we

have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins?" Oh that we in our own dying moments may possess this enlightened view of Christ, this assured trust in him.

II. We have now to consider, in the second place, the blessing which the dying patriarch gave to his grandsons.

1. He begins with a general blessing; "God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, the angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads.” Well did the experienced saint know that the blessing of God carries along with it all good, temporal and spiritual, and that they, whom he blesseth, are blessed indeed. Without it he knew that there was no prosperity either for body or soul, and that it was the one thing needful and desirable for all. He had largely experienced this blessing himself, and his soul's desire was that his family might inherit it after him. And what can we bequeath to our descendants that can bear any comparison with the blessing of God?

Perhaps we wish to leave them prosperous and flourishing in this world. Alas! Leave them as we may, all earthly things are uncertain and fleeting, and nothing has enjoyment if it have not the blessing of God upon it.

2. He adds, "And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac." The meaning of this is that they might remain stedfastly adhering to the covenant which God had been pleased to make with the family, sustain the character of servants of Jehovah, and uphold his true religion in the earth. To be called by the name of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was in fact the same thing as to be called by the name of the Lord, and implied that they were worshippers of that God, the only living and true God, who had chosen them to be a peculiar people unto himself. It is remarkable however that the name of this present patriarch, particularly that name which was specially given him by the Lord himself, should become the general name by which his descendants have been known

for ages, and even and even to the present time. The children of Israel is their common designation throughout the Old Testament, and remains still as much the patronymic name of the nation as the more modern appellation of Jews.

3. He adds further, "And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." This was peculiarly prophetic, and was remarkably fulfilled. The two youths who were thus blessed, alone of Jacob's grandsons gave their names to two tribes of the nation; and they both, but particularly the tribe of Ephraim, were remarkable for their numbers in all ages of their history. And we may here again observe, by the way, that these fulfilments of prophetic blessings, which meet us so often in the course of Scripture history, are most manifest and decisive proofs that these aged men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and were by him enabled to declare things to come. Our faith in the inspiration of the holy Scriptures has thus the most solid foundation to rest upon; and while we

see so many of the early prophecies thus accurately fulfilled, we may be sure that all shall in due time be brought to pass, and that every promise which the Lord hath made in his sacred word to his faithful people shall unquestionably be accomplished to its fullest meaning and its largest extent.

An interesting sight has been before us. We have witnessed here part of the last scene of the patriarch Jacob's life, and we cannot but admire the composure, dignity, and piety, with which he conducted himself. How anxious was he to recommend the God whom he had served, and from whom he had received so many blessings, to his young relatives ! He moreover pointed out to them the example of his own father and grandfather, and told them of the great things which God had done for them all, and spake of the perfect redemption which he had effected. He manifested the greatest kindness and love, and blessed them in the most affectionate manner. It is a pattern for every aged servant of God in similar circumstances. Oh! how should we desire to

leave such a dying testimony for God behind us ! For surrounding relatives are often impressed by such a scene more than they ever were by the admonitions or example of life. Their minds are then solemnized; their tenderest affections are awakened; they are assured that nothing but truth can be spoken, and nothing but love for them can be felt, in that solemn season. Oh! how greatly may God be honoured, and how much may our relatives and friends be improved by such a death as this! Well may every one who considers this last interview of Jacob with his grandsons exclaim," Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

But it is often said, and it can scarcely be said too often, that if we would die the death, we must live the life, of the righteous. If we would have these views and consolations which Jacob possessed, and recommend our God to others as impressively as he did, we must ourselves walk before God as he and as Abraham and Isaac walked; we must faithfully serve and honour him in whom