the next sweet scene of Jacob's life, and the sequel of it, to another Lecture. But we must no longer defer, the beginning at least, of that parallel which is one object among others, if not the chief, in these exercises.

Jacob was destined of Providence to power and precedency before he was born. Jesus is declared the son of God, and the heir of all things, by the angel who announced his miraculous conception and birth to his virgin mother. Jacob, the last in order of nature, but first in the election of grace, prefigures him, who, appearing in the end of the world, is nevertheless "the first-born among many brethren." Jacob hated and persecuted of his brother, is an obvious type of him who was to come, "despised and rejected of men ;" crucified and slain by the impious and unnatural hands of those who were his bone and his flesh. Jacob, dismissed with blessings by his father from Beer-sheba, points out to us Jesus leaving heaven's glory, and the bosom of the Father, in compliance with the eternal decree, to become a wanderer in our world; "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." The object of Jacob's journey and of Christ's is one and the same. Jacob, to procure for himself a believing spouse, to become the fruitful mother of an elect off-spring; Jesus to purchase for himself, at the price of his own blood, "the church, which is his body, to espouse it to himself as a chaste bride," united to him in everlasting bands of interest and affection. Jacob, deserted and solitary in the plain of Bethel, is a shadow of Christ forsaken of all in the wilderness of this world, yet not "alone, but his heavenly Father always with him." The vision of the ladder has already spoken for itself. What then remains but to add, Jacob's covenant, consecration and vow are so many different representations of Christ's covenant of redemption; his unction by the spirit to the execution of his high office; and not the tithe, but the whole of his vast and glorious acquisition rendered unto God even the Father: when the king

dom is finally delivered up to "him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, that God may be all in all."

I add no more but my most fervent prayers to Almighty God...That by night and by day, alone and in society, when you sleep and when you wake, in prosperity and in adversity, you may be still with God; and that "the Almighty may be your refuge, the Most High your habitation," and "underneath" and around you" the everlasting arms." Amen.

History of Jacob.

LECTURE VII.

And Jacob served seven years for Rachel: and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her....GEN. xxix. 20.

THE great author of our nature has wisely and wonderfully adapted the various objects which successfully solicit our attention and engage our pursuit, to the different periods of our life, the different and successive affections of our heart, the different stations which we have to occupy, and the duties which we are bound to perform. Human life, in so far as nature predominates over it, does not consist of violent and sudden transitions, but of calm, gentle, imperceptible changes: like the gradual progress of the day, from the morning dawn to meridian splendor; and thence gradually back again to the glimmering twilight of the evening, and the shades of night. We emerge not at once from infancy into manhood; we sink not in a moment from manhood into old age. We grow, and we decline, without perceiving any alteration. Betwixt the giddiness and inconsideration of childhood, and the serious cares and employments of mature age, there is a middle and an important stage of life, which connects the two. And there is a passion happily suited to it, which contains and unites the spirit of both; a passion which blends the vivacity and impetuosity of the boy with the gravity and thoughtfulness of the man: that noble, ge

nerous passion, which the great God has implanted in our nature, to attract, unite and bless mankind; and which, therefore, the pen of inspiration has not disdained, in its own inimitable manner, to describe. It was this passion which speedily compensated to Jacob the loss of his father's house and the pains of a tedious journey; which sweetened and shortened seven long years of hard and mortifying servitude; but which, at the same time, anticipated both the cares. and the delights of future life.

Jacob, cheered and supported by the recollection of his vision at Bethel, and animated with the hope of a happy meeting with his friends and relations at Padanaram, goes on his way rejoicing; and, guided, protected and sustained by an indulgent Providence, he arrives in safety. It was that simple, innocent and happy age of the world, when the chief occupations and enjoyments of human nature were seen in the shepherd's life; while as yet, gold had not settled the price of every other production of the natural world, nor determined the importance of all intellectual endowments; while as yet, commerce had not opened her ten thousand channels of luxury, to enervate, corrupt and destroy mankind. His conversation with the shepherds of Haran, Gen. xxix. 1...8, must always afford exquisite delight to those, whose taste, undebauched by the frippery of modern manners, and the affectation of ceremony and compliment, can relish the honest simplicity of nature, and the genuine expression of unaffected, unsophisticated kindness and benevolence. From them he has the pleasure of hearing that his kinsman Laban lived in the neighborhood, and was in health; and that his daughter Rachel was every moment expected to come to the watering-place, with her father's flock. While they are yet speaking, Rachel, beautiful as the opening spring, and innocent as the lambs she tended, draws nigh with her fleecy charge. With what admirable propriety and skill do the holy scriptures

represent the most distinguished, exalted and amiable female characters, engaged in virtuous, humble, useful employments! Sarah, baking cakes upon the hearth, for the entertainment of her husband's guests; Rebekah, drawing water for the daily use of her brother's family, and the refreshment of the weary traveller; and Rachel, feeding her father's sheep. Ŏ that ye knew, my fair friends, wherein your true dignity, value and importance consisted! They consist in being what God from the beginning intended you to be, "an help meet for man ;" not the mere instrument of his pleasure, nor the silly idol of his adoration.

Jacob, with the ardor natural to a manly spirit, and the zeal of an affectionate relation, runs up to salute and assist his fair kinswoman. Little offices of civility are the natural expression of a good and honest heart; they often suggest the first sentiments of love, both to those who confer, and to those who receive them; and they keep love alive after it is kindled. The meeting of that day, and Jacob's natural, easy, officious gallantry, in relieving Rachel, on their very first rencounter; of the heaviest part of her pastoral task, inspired, I doubt not, emotions very different from those which the mere force of blood produces; and were, I am sure, recollected by both, with inexpressible satisfaction, many a time afterward. And little do I know of the female heart, if it would not much rather be wooed with the attentions and assiduities of an agree able man, than by the prudent and disgusting formalities of settlements and deeds and reversions. Rebekah was courted by proxy, with presents and promises; Rachel, by her destined husband in person, with the looks, and the language, and the service of love. Betwixt the union of Isaac and Rebekah, that match of interest and prudence, no obstacle, except the trifling distance of place, interposed; but many difficulties occurred to retard, to prevent and to mar the union of Jacob and Rachel, founded in esteem, and prompted