believers ought to examine themselves. Let us think deeply what spirit we are of. Are we really seeking to please God in all our conduct, or one another? He who means to bring forth fruit unto eternal life, must not seek to please men: he has but one Master to serve, one interest to take care of. He is not to consider how such or such an one will be pleased or displeased; but, Is this right in the sight of God? this is the only ultimate rule. Should we not take care, you say, not to affront or grieve other persons? Yes, surely, not unnecessarily : on the contrary, we ought to labour to please all men, to do good to all, and to live peaceably with all men. But why? not for the sake of worldly gain or praise, but to please God, and to walk acceptably before him, who orders us thus to demean ourselves. Now whether we have his fear before us, or not, in doing so, will appear by our conduct in such cases as these-A minister who sees a wrong taste prevailing in religion among his people, will be tried whether he walks before God or not, according as he is faithful in rebuking them or not, though to the hazard of his popularity. A Christian is tried whether he walks before God or not, by his faithfulness in rebuking sin in a brother. Ah, brethren, are we not too much like the world, in smoothness of speech, and insincerity of conduct, and want of that plain dealing and freedom from guile which peculiarly become the disciples of the God

of truth? And consider what you know of the perfection described in the former part of this discourse. I gave you my sense of it, and do apprehend all, who live to God indeed, have at heart, in experience, the same idea. He will make a very bad use of what he has heard who shall fall to jangling instead of practising. Labour after sincere love. This is the whole of perfection. Brethren, labour after it. Rest not without it: even the love of God and our neighbour, through Jesus Christ. And grace be with all them who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

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SERMON XIX.

PREVALENCY OF PRAYER EXEMPLIFIED

IN JACOB.

HOSEA xii. 3-6.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us; even the Lord God of hosts; The Lord is his memorial. Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

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JACOB, who on the particular occasion here alluded to was called Israel, the father of the twelve Patriarchs of the Jewish nation, is the person spoken of in this passage. Let us see, first, the general idea of the prophet; whence we may more clearly lay down the practical uses of the story of Jacob.

It pleased God, even before the birth of this eminent saint, to foretel, by a remarkable emblematical circumstance, what success should afterward attend him. Jacob's hand, we are 'told in the Book of Genesis, took hold of Esau's heel. That he was to become superior

God."

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to his brother, was in this type foretold. But if one ask, in what way he excelled him, let it be carefully noted, notwithstanding an instance of very blameable deceitfulness into which in his youth he was led by the fraud of his mother, that on the whole, and in general, his superiority was maintained by the prayer of faith. Grace made him a man of prayer, serious in the fear of God, valuing above all things spiritual and heavenly blessings. This was the "strength" by which he had " power with Yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed." The Angel, is he who is called in the last of the Prophets " the Angel of the Covenant*," even the Lord Jesus, who appeared to him, and wrestled with him, when he was in distress from his brother Esau. How could a poor, sinful, distressed man become like a prince and a conqueror with God? It was by his faith, which wrestled with Him, and would not let him go till he blessed him. On that occasion he wept, and made supplication unto Him; and the Lord blessed him, and delivered him and he found Him again at Bethel, and there the Lord spake comfortably to him, and in him to the church of God to the end of time. And this Angel was no other than the Lord God of hosts; "The Lord" is his name, by which he is to be remembered in all ages;-that same Lord who appeared to the Patriarchs of old; who had compassion on his people in all their * "Messenger "-Eng. Trans.

affliction; and who at last became man, and lived and died for us; and in heaven still takes care of his church, and will do so for evermore.

But what are we to learn from this case of Jacob's? Let men who call themselves the people of God, and who would gladly be looked on as the Israel of God, turn to him indeed, in sound conversion of heart; and keep mercy and justice in their dealings and conversation, to shew that they are sincere in his service: and, while they steadily endeavour to obey him in all their conduct, let them not value themselves on their own righteousness; let them humbly hope in his grace and mercy for salvation, after all; and continually depend on him, in firm, patient faith founded on his promises. All this is, doubtless, implied in the advice, "Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually."

1. The first observation shall respect the character of Jacob in general, as compared with that of Esau.

I apprehend it is very common to judge amiss of the character of a good man; and that, through various prejudices, which our corrupt nature easily imbibes, we often prefer the worse before the better. Doubtless Esau had more showy qualities, things that look better in the eye of the world. Esau might be a hero, a soldier, a man of enterprise and high spirit. And, then, Jacob, in one instance,