to them that they could not avoid it. Is your father yet alive? Have ye another brother? And we told him the truth, without knowing that he would say, bring your brother down.

Judah offers to become surety for Benjamin, saying, send the lad with me, and we will arise and go. I will be surety for him, of my hands shalt thou require him: If I bring him not unto thee, then let me bear the blame for ever. In addition to this he adds, that the lives of their children, their father, and themselves, depended on his agreeing to this demand of the governor of Egypt. At the same time he says, that except they had lin gered, they would by this time have been to Egypt, and back again. The good old man at last consents and desires them to take a present with them, of the best fruits of the land, a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds. "And take double money in your hand, and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand, peradven

ture it was an oversight.

Take also your

brother, and arise, go again unto the man." Then he concludes all with a solemn and fer

vent

"And

vent prayer to God for his blessing. God Almighty give you mercy before the man that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." The fruits of Canaan would be a token of respect, the double money might be necessary, because the corn might cost more than before, and the restoration of the money that was found in their sacks would bear evidence of their sincerity, honesty and good intentions.

I. We shall notice the ORDERS which Jo
EPH gave concerning his BRETHREN.

"And when JOSEPH saw Benjamin with them, he said unto the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house." Such an honor as this, they did not expect. It was an honor which they did not desire. Joseph was busily employed in selling the corn and receiving money. He did not leave his business to others. He did it himself, and thus he saw that people had their full measure of

corn

corn for the money which they paid. By this means Joseph's mind, which no doubt had Been greatly affected at the sight of Benjamin, would be more composed. He would be able also to think in his own mind how he should act and what he should do. These orders the steward obeyed, and conducted the brethren of Joseph from his corn office to his private habitation where he dwelt, where he was not en. gaged in business. Perhaps they wondered where the man was going to take them, and probably expected to be conducted to prison. “And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks are we brought in, that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses." A guilty con. science will not let them rest. Joseph had so strongly suspected them of being spies, that now they had brought Benjamin, they expected to be detained on another account. They expected that he would call them to account for the money which they found in their sacks, that he would accuse them of being cheats and of robbing the treasury. That

they

they had taken the advantage of the hurry and bustle of the market, and had carried off their corn unpaid for. The wicked are fearful, they are unbelieving, every thing appears in the worst light. They think that Joseph would make slaves of them and keep them in bond. age for life. This was what they had done to Joseph, and now they expected that the same thing would befal them as a punishment from God.

II. The CONVERSATION of Joseph's BRR THREN with the STEWARD.

"And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they communed with him at the door of the house, and said, Oh, Sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy: food. And it came to pass when we came to the inn, that we opened our sack, and, be hold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand. And other money have we brought down in our hand to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks." This was wise and prudent in them to mention this circum

stance

stance to the steward, because if they were afterwards examined concerning this matter, they could appeal to this conversation with the steward. He could say that they had mentioned the business to him and returned the money in full weight, thinking it was an oversight. The answer which the steward made must have greatly surprized them. “And he said, peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them." Thus they were convinced that the governor was satisfied of the truth of what they had said. This was a token for good, that all is well. What a kind, wise and pious answer this was. How suitable was this answer to them at this time. They had said, what is this that God hath done unto us? The steward says, that their God and the God of their father had given them treasure in their sacks. He directs them; look to God, and thank him for this kindness. He knew most likely that the money was re turned by Joseph's orders, and at the same time, knowing the character of his master, he could not think that he had any ill design in so