longer than any man ever lived, are but as one day. Evil also, for man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward. Job says that man is of few days and full of trouble: others had their trouble, but Jacob had an uncommon share of trouble. Jacob's life had in a more particular manner been made up of evil days, his happiest days were before him. He never was so happy or comfortable in all his life as he is now; he will go down to his grave in peace, instead of sorrow. "Short." He said he had not yet attained to the age of his fathers. Jacob's days were not so many, nor yet so pleasant. Isaac lived to be 180, and Jacob was only 147, when he died; old age had come upon him sooner than on those who had liv ed before him. Let those who are old remember how short their life is. Remember also that the hoary head is only a crown of glory when it is found in the way of Righteousness. Wicked old men have no reason to be proud of their grey hairs. When they reflect that they have all this time been in the service of Sin and Satan, that they are grown old in the ways of iniquity, their grey hairs should be their shame and confusion; they indeed have from so venerable a person cause to go sorrowing to the grave: such an answer could not fail to impress the mind of Pharaoh. IV. JACOB REPEATS HIS BLESSING BEFORE HE DEPARTS FROM THE PRESENCE OF PHARAOH. "And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh." This was not only an act of civility, but by this he manifested his respect aud thanked Pharaoh for his kindness to Joseph, to himself, and his children. This was an act of piety, an exercise of exalted devotion, he prayed for him as one having the authority of a Prophet and a Patriarch. Though Pharaoh was the greatest in worldly wealth and earthly dignity, yet Jacob was the greatest in interest with God, in the riches of his grace; and he was heir to a kingdom which was unmoveable and eternal. Pharaoh had kindly received Jacob. Whether as a prince, or as a Prophet, he received a Prophet's reward, by which he was recompensed for his condescension and his kindness to Jacob and his family. We Thus We are not told whether Pharaoh ever saw Jacob again; but if what he said to him impressed his mind at all, he would remember this important answer, and this venerable old man as long as he lived. Joseph having obtained the consent of the King at his command placed his father and his brethren in the situation he intended for them, he gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, and there he continued to nourish his father and his brethren, and all his father's household according to their families. Joseph was made indeed to forget all his toil and all the distresses he had met with in his father's house. By this we not only see that Joseph was a good man, to take so much care of his poor relations, but that God is a good God, he raised him up for this purpose. "It was he that sent a man before them, even Joseph," that he might provide for the neces sities of all his father's house, and satisfy them in a time of famine. At the close of the Chapter we are informed of the comfort that Jacob lived in. That while the Egyptians were impoverished, he was replenished in a strange strange land that they had possessions in the land of Goshen, and grew and multiplied exceedingly. Seventeen years Jacob lived in peace in the land of Goshen, Seventeen years he had nourished Joseph when a lad, for he was only so old when he was sold, and now Joseph nourishes his father for seventeen years. And now the time drew nigh that Jacob must die. He is desirous of preparing for it and setting things in order, that when he comes to die he may have nothing to do but to die. How happy is such a state of mind at such a time! He who had prevailed over the Angel must yield to death, and now he sends for his son and engages him by a solemn oath, not to bury him in Egypt, but in the burying place of his fathers; and Joseph readily consents to his father's request. Joseph had given his father bread, that he might not die by famine, but he is not able to prevent his dying by age or sickness. Jacob died by degrees, his candle was not blown out, but gradually burnt down into the socket; so that he saw at some distance the time drawing nigh. From the 13th to 20th verse, the sacred writer informs us of the state of things in Egypt Egypt during the remaining five years of famine and the government of Joseph. The famine was so severe, that to purchase the necessaries of life the inhabitants first parted with all their money, and not only the Egyptians, but the people from the countries round about Egypt, so that the king's treasury became greatly enriched, and when money failed, their cattle were required, and last of all their lands and their persons, save only the lands of their priests or princes, which were not sold: for being according to the laws of the country considered as a part of the Royal household, they were not under the necessity of selling their estates; but were partakers of all the advantages that Pharaoh derived from Joseph. This part of Joseph's conduct has been thought by some very exceptionable, as tending to reduce a nation to poverty and slavery. I am not sure that it was entirely right, though the parties concerned appeared to have cast no reflection upon him. If it were not, it only proves that Joseph though a good and great man, yet was not perfect. But difference of time and circumstance may render us incompetent to judge correctly concerning his conduct, The |