table-A preference this they were unable to account for.

Ir is faid, they drank and were merry with him. By entertaining them in a free and open manner, he took care to do away all the remains of fear and diftruft, occafioned by his former behaviour. He welcomes them as brethren, though ftill known to them on, ly as the Lord of Egypt.

FROM the table of Joseph furrounded by his brethren, turn we to contemplate the fpiritual application of the fcene which has juft paffed in review before us.

ACCORDING to the myftic interpretation_We are THE SONS OF JACOв, all fons of one man, endued with сов,

one common nature, fubject to the

fame wants and infirmitics, with bofoms glowing with the like kindred fympathies Hungry and thirty our foul fainteth within us; and there be many that fay, who will fhew us any good. The famine which rages in our land is, the not to be extinguifhed defire of happiness, a defire, which is as it were,. the foul of our foul, and will live within us, when the body of flefh which furrounds us, is mouldered into duft. It is a craving appetite and must be fed. The corn we get from Egypt; the food which the mind derives from knowledge and inftruction, foon prompts us, by the fame methods, to procure a further fupply. Though the Lord of the country spake roughly unto us, yet he granted our request: Of the treafures of his wifdom have we received: But he infifts on a condition which feems hard and almost im

practicable to flesh and blood; that which is dear to us, as a brother Benjamin, must be given up; and unless this facrifice be made, we cannot enter the kingdom of God, or behold the face of Jefus Christ. We have tafted that the Lord is gracious; but it is a grace that fills us with holy awe and reverential fear. Fain would we keep back that which is dear to us as a right hand, or a right eye; but God requires of us our heart; and our whole heart with all its defires and affections must be brought to Chrift, that he may fan&tify, blefs, and unite us unto himself. It was his love for Benjamin that reconciled Jofeph to his brethren: It is our repentance and faith that muft reconcile us unto the brother whom we have offended. The Lord of the country whither we are going is the brother and the friend of man; we

need not fear to give up our all into his hands, for he is able to keep that which is committed unto him, and we fhall recover our Benjamin again. Like aged Jacob, the weaknefs of our mortal nature has fometimes ftrange forebodings where nothing is to be feared. God Almighty give us mercy fore the MAN who is appointed to judge the quick and dead!

be

THE interview between Jofeph and his brethren, is a type of that which may be fuppofed one day to take place between Jefus and his brethren: An event awful to human apprehenfion; but let Benjamin be with us, let our hearts be right towards God, and the minifters of Chrift, like the steward of Jofeph's houfe, fhall give us an anfwer of peace; the affurance of our acceptance with God.

PREPARE We then for the coming and appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jefus Chrift: We are bidden to a feaft to the fupper of the great King-Thefe men, faid Jofeph, shall dine with me at noonWe fhall not only fee Jefus. fee Him who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and whofe bowels do yearn over us, even while yet unknown to us. We fhall even eat and drink with him at his table. As becometh an hofpitable prince waiting upon his guests. He fhall girá himfelf, and make us fit down to meat, and will come forth and ferve us.

HERE paufe awhile, and contemplate the exceeding great love of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift! This man receiveth finners and eateth with them

may we ftill fay of him with the