him approaching, but they said one to another, "Behold, this dreamer cometh: now, therefore, let us slay him and cast him into some pit." But the workings of nature in two of his brothers prevented the others from carrying their horrid barbarity to its meditated extent: Reuben, by a well-meant stratagem, saved him from immediate death; and Judah delivered him from a painful and lingering one, by prevailing on them to take him out of the pit into which they had cast him, and to sell him as a slave to some merchants who were passing by on their way to Egypt; by whom he was again sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharoah's guard. Potiphar was soon so much charmed with the fidelity and prudence of the young stranger, that he presently advanced him to be the overseer of his house, and trusted him so unreservedly, that "he knew not aught he had save the bread he did eat."

Joseph had not long enjoyed this respite from his late misfortunes, before a new one assailed him, arising too from the same cause from which the former sprang-his beauty and virtue. For, his mistress, who found herself too weak to rob him of his virtue, resolved, in revenge for her disappointment, to deprive him at least of his liberty, if not of his life: she therefore procured his imprisonment, by laying a charge against him, the entire reverse of truth. After a long confinement, the fame of his extraordinary and

supernatural wisdom at length reached the ears of Pharaoh; who not only delivered him from prison, but also, observing him to possess many remarkable qualities deserving of so high a trust, advanced him to be his prime minister, and the absolute dispenser of all his favours.

During this his unlooked-for elevation, his brethren were sent by their father, in a time of famine, to buy corn in Egypt; and, in common with all others that came upon the same errand, were introduced to the presence of Joseph. The difference of dress, the alteration which age, after a lapse of years, had made in his person, the place where they found him, and above all, his present elevated rank, naturally contributed as much to conceal him from the knowledge of his brethren, as the sameness of their dress, their language, and general appearance, made them known to him, who had not left them till they were all at their full stature. Yet, in order to bring them to a just sense of their cruelty to him, and to obtain from them a true account of the condition of his absent father and brother Benjamin, he suppresses the immediate struggles of nature, speaks roughly to them, accuses them of being spies, puts them in confinement three days, and then dismisses them with a positive injunction to bring Benjamin to him; at the same time, taking Simeon from them, and binding him

before their eyes, as an hostage for the performance of what he required; concluding, perhaps, with great seeming probability, that his father's fondness had been no less fatal to Benjamin, than it had nearly proved to himself, by exposing him to their envy and cruelty. How natural was the self-accusing exclamation which this treatment extorted from their awakened consciences!" We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul when he besought us, and we would not hear: therefore is this distress come upon us." No wonder, then, that the heart of Joseph was here so melted with pity and tenderness, that he was constrained to turn himself from them and weep!

They now return with the sad tale of their surprising adventures to their father, who at last, though with extreme reluctance, allows his beloved son Benjamin to accompany them; at the same time declaring, that if any evil should befal him, it would inevitably occasion his own death.

Notwithstanding all the self command of Joseph, the sight of the son of his own mother well nigh overcame him. However, he still controls his feelings, till he had fully accomplished the ends he had in view. Freely he forgave his cruel brothers; and, without yet discovering himself to them, generously entertains them at

his own table; distinguishing Benjamin with peculiar hospitality. Every thing being arranged for their return, he orders his silver cup to be conveyed privately into the sack of the youngest, then causes him to be seized for the pretended theft, and by way of punishment, demands him in bondage. Upon this trying occasion, how forcible is the plea of Judah in behalf of the supposed criminal! And the affecting energy of that plea is yet farther heightened, if we reflect how near was the kindred between the pleader and the judge. With what humility does Judah address himself to his unknown brother! "O! my Lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my Lord's ear, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant; for thou art even as Pharaoh." "Thou art as great and powerful, as we are low and abased: and we know that we lie wholly at thy mercy, either to spare or punish us.' How beautifully does he then recapitulate the circumstances of their case! How generous his offer of redeeming his brother's liberty, by surrendering his own! But, above all, how affectingly does he describe the distress and anguish of Jacob their father; and how irresistible his petition to Joseph, that he would not suffer him and the rest of his brethren, by returning without their brother Benjamin, to inflict on their aged parent so much misery, and be the unhappy instruments of bringing down

his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave! Here the feelings of Joseph could endure no farther disguise. But who can adequately imagine the tumult of various passions then reigning in the breasts of these brothers! Love in that of Joseph, and joy, fear, hope, doubt, guilt, and shame, which must at once have arisen in the breasts of his brethren, when this astounding declaration was made:-"I am Joseph your brother."-I, who am now so highly exalted above you, and from whose hands ye now receive both life and liberty, am he whom ye once hated, once envied, and persecuted,—I am that injured brother whom ye sold into Egypt. Struck with silence and amazement, the scripture says "they were troubled at his presence, and could not answer him." But the generosity of Joseph's nature immediately relieves them from their confusion, and even makes a kind apology for their cruelty," Be not grieved," he says, says, "nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life."

Having thus imperfectly laid before you the outline of this affecting story, let me recommend you to consider the whole of the interesting narrative as a just emblem or representation of the life of a sincere christian; who, in his passage through this world, may, perhaps, be exercised with calamities as severe as those of Joseph; and,