greatness. Quickly his prison was exchanged for a palace, and his irons for a chain of gold. And as he moved along the street, a herald proclaimed before him, "Bow the knee." Providence exalted him and made him the instrument of feeding the starving nation. The famine prevailed in the land of Canaan, and his unkind brethren, impelled by hunger, came among the supplicants, and thus, without intending it, fulfilled his prophetic dreams. He remembered the traces of their countenances, and by various harsh means proved their sincerity, and learned the circumstances of their family. At last he could hold no longer; his bowels yearned towards them; and having sufficiently chastised them, he came forward in the overflowings of his fraternal love, and said, "I am Joseph! Doth my father yet live?" &c. 0 what a melting scene was this! On such an occasion, hearts of iron must have felt! He instantly buried all their unkindness in oblivion, and told them to reproach themselves no more for what they had done, for the hand of God was in all this. Such was his love for his brethren that he freely forgave all the injuries they had done him; and that too when he might have punished them for their wickedness. He possessed a noble soul. A little mind would have felt differently. Joseph felt and acted worthy of himself, and of Jacob his father. He never harboured any revengeful thoughts, and his brethren were safe under his protection. In the most touching language he says to them, “I am Joseph;" and entertaining no grudge against them, he took great pains to promote harmony and love amongst them. "But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto } good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive, Now therefore, fear ye not, I will nourish you and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” This was an exalted triumph of brotherly love, of true goodness, and of nobleness of disposition. Instead of upbraiding them, he tried to close and heal the wounds which conscious guilt had made in their minds. Thus even God our Father overcomes evil with his goodness, and enmity with his love, till his grace produces in men, (wicked and iron hearted,) a dutiful submission to his will. Where sin abounded, grace much more abounds. In no respect, perhaps, can the nature of man be brought so much into a resemblance to the nature of God, as in a free and full forgiveness of injuries and insults. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us." In this prayer we only ask for pardon from God, in the same proportion in which we ourselves forgive others. Let us see to it, then, that we forgive fully, freely, and for ever. "I will be even with my foe, Revenge replies, and then returns the blow; Thus the pious Joseph forgave his offending brethren, and thereby evinced how much he was under the influence of true piety, and the fear of God. 3. Joseph's inflexible chastity should not in this place be overlooked. For the want of the same unyielding purity, many have fallen a sad prey to their passions, and have dishonoured their profession. Joseph was in danger, but he had a remedy at hand: "How shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" We see in the wife of Potiphar, to what length human nature is capable of going when once the restraints of modesty and shame are broke through. Some kinds of temptation are boldly to be resisted and overcome; others are only to be conquered by flight, and disarmed by removing to a distance. Joseph dwelt only on one circumstance in order to determine his conduct, viz. the all-seeing eye of God, and the danger of offending him. Pleasure, and interest, and passion, blind the eyes; but conscience, always, and in all places, so long as its restraints are not broken through, reveres an omnipresent God. This great principle is moved only by a sense of what is right and wrong. Interest and desire simply ask, Is there no danger of discovery? But conscience in a man whose soul prospers, can only be satisfied by knowing whether it be sin or duty. Joseph's integrity and piety brought him into great difficulties; but no place, except the deep dungeon of an evil conscience, is frightful to a child of God, in a good state of mind. Joseph was imprisoned, but his soul was at large; "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." God was still with Joseph; and the victory he had obtained must have greatly relieved his mind. The comfortable communion which he had with God, compensated for all his sufferings, and fitted him for the great and signal honours which awaited him. It is an established maxim in the economy of providence, that "before honour is humility." REFLECTIONS ON THE CHARACTER OF JOSEPH. 1. Joseph was a type of Christ, and the prosperous soul delights to view him under this character. These things, indeed, in a certain sense, are an allegory. Jesus Christ is the true Joseph, whether we view him as a beloved son, an affectionate brother, a trusty servant, an illuminated prophet, a resister of temptation, a forgiver of injuries; but chiefly if we consider him as an innocent sufferer, an exalted prince, and a glorious Saviour. O that I may know him, and have fellowship with him in all the offices he fills, and in all the relations in which he stands to his redeemed. Let me ever go unto this true Joseph for the supply of all my wants, however great and Without him I perish with hunger, but in him is enough and to spare; in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am a sinner ready to perish. Arise, my soul, and go to him; his fulness can never be exhausted, and his precious blood cleanseth from all sin. O that his glory might be the joy of my heart, and the theme of my tongue. Since Jesus is alive and liveth for evermore, may I instantly forsake the stuff of all earthly things, that I may be with him to behold his glory. numerous. 2. Does my soul prosper like the soul of Joseph ? Alas! I fear it does not. Let me examine into this important matter. If I have aged parents, am I kind and dutiful to them? Do I pray for them daily? Is it my care and study every day, to render them as cheerful and happy as I can? Do I, in every possible way, try to promote their peace of mind, and their preparation for eternity? Do I love all my brothers, or sisters? Do I love all mankind? But in particular, do I love all those, who owe their existence, under God, to the same parents? Do I cultivate, as far as possible, friendship with them, and seek to promote their temporal and eternal happiness? Am I in all things conscientious, ana in every place, impressed with the important consideration, that the eye of God is upon me? O my God, my imperfections are without number. Enter not into judgment with me. I have sinned and done evil in thy sight, and my only defence is in the precious blood of thy dear Son. O let my heart be sprinkled with it, from an evil conscience, that I may be wholly consecrated to thee. With the heart may I believe unto righteousness, and with the mouth may I make confession unto salvation. It is said for the encou ragement of the Lord's people, "Sin shall not have dominion over thee." O let that promise ever be fulfilled in my happy experience. In every new temptation, may there be a way for my soul to escape; and when temptations grow stronger, and the danger becomes greater, may I increase in prayer and watchfulness, and may the divine care be continually exercised over me, that my soul may yet prosper, after all the hinderances I have met with. O that I may be fruitful in every good word and work; and let it be my daily study to glorify God in my body and spirit which are his. JOB. The book of Job undoubtedly contains a real history, and at whatever period it was written, it seems |