up to that day; and, behold him, whilst feelingly commenting on the death of Rachel, and looking upon Joseph with the tenderest affection, yet steadily declining to meet his wishes concerning the first-born after the flesh. Again, we see him triumphing in faith, whilst worshipping with his staff as a pilgrim, in the certainty of the land of Canaan being theirs by an everlasting possession; and, in the next chapter, insisting upon being buried in the field of Ephron the Hittite, thereby pledging himself to a personal interest in that land. All this was Jacob on his death-bed-and such for the moment was not Joseph. Prosperity had made him forget himself. Jacob, with his eyes dim, and his life at its last, was made to see, that it is "not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." It was his last day on earth. Oh! how much happier would he have been, had he learned the secret, that "the flesh profiteth nothing," a little earlier in his life; then, indeed, had his " peace flowed as a river;" then, indeed, as God had truly been with him in all his difficulties, so he would have learned that they were sent but for the exercise of his faith, and would have found them but the occasions for drawing upon the fulness of God. Surely in our place of death and resurrection, we have need of more practical exhibitions of our own death at the Cross, and of our risen life in Him. May we, too, learn in the failure of Joseph, the danger of prosperous circumstances, blinding our eyes to the purposes of God concerning ourselves and children. PRAISE. GOD draws forth praise from his creatures, by unfolding Himself in His works and ways. The more He manifests Himself, the more He is to be praised. The contemplation of God must ever have this blessed result. Permanent praise will be the condition of that soul that keeps God continually in view as He is revealed in Jesus. Some dark cloud must be hanging over us, obscuring the light of His glory in the face of Jesus, when we feel ourselves unable to praise and worship God. The object of these few lines is, to stir up the hearts of God's redeemed, to sing His praises with a louder and more abiding song. Our God has said, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me." The first sounding forth of praise that we have noticed in Scripture is, when God laid the foundation of the earth and the corner stone thereof. Then "the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy" (Job xxxviii). The invisible things of God were clearly seen by the things which he had made, even His eternal power and Godhead (Rom. i). Here, then, was a glorious sight for the angels to contemplate; they saw their God in every hue of His fair creation, and as they beheld Him, they sang His praise. They saw Him in His works, and they adored the Creator. They see Him again in His ways of grace as unfolded in Jesus. What a burst of angelic praise issued forth from the heavenly host, when they announced the Saviour's birth, and the riches of divine grace which were to flow through our Immanuel. When the angel proclaimed the gospel of glad tidings, "suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men." What a thrilling effect had the angel's proclamation on the heavenly host, and how they responded with one harmonious song of praise (Luke ii) ! The same angelic burst is seen in glory, when the risen Jesus, as the slain Lamb, takes the book out of the hand of Him who sat on the throne. Here the heavenly redeemed lead the praises of Jesus, and tens of thousands of angels follow in their train, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb." (Rev. v.) When Israel had passed the Red sea and stood safely on the other side, "Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously." What a rich and triumphant stream of praise broke forth from Israel on that occasion, as they stood amid the triumphs of redeeming grace; salvation perfect and complete filled their minds, and by faith they plant their feet in the glorious land, and enter into their promised rest. See them again, in the presence of Solomon's temple, which was exceedingly magnifical of fame and of glory throughout all countries; what a burst of praise came forth from the assembled multitude, as we read in 2 Chron. vii. 3, and when the heavenly fire, and the heavenly glory, drew forth these praises of their God, and they praised the Lord, saying, "For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever." When Jesus retired from His disciples by His Praise must ascent to glory, what a happy state He left them inthe fruit of the redemption He had just accomplished: we read that they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Jesus had previously opened their understandings to understand the Scriptures, and the things concerning Himself: He led them into the secret things of His kingdom and glory; and now they, who had mourned before, are found openly praising and blessing God. Such is the fruit of known redemption in the soul. follow the wonders of redemption where they are seen and known. Gladness and singleness of heart filled the saved multitude, as they worshipped in Jerusalem the risen and glorified Jesus. The knowledge of Jesus brings with it peace and joy. He gives "the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness"-"whom having not seen ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet i. 8). Praise, as we have said before, is produced by the object that possesses and fills the mind. "The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that liveth for ever; and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." The glorious brightness of the throne is so great that it produces. this holy worship and heavenly praise. Did we keep this throne ever before us, what ceaseless worship and untiring praise would be ever ascending up from us to our heavenly Father. Neither murmuring nor complaining should have a place in the family of God: they belong not to our calling, and are offensive to the divine ear. Blessed be God, the time is coming when all in heaven, and in earth, and every thing that has breath shall praise the Lord. Surely the saints should now anticipate their heavenly songs, and even now fall continually before the throne with praises and adoration. Let us, beloved, retune our harps to Jesus' name, and sing his praises with a louder and more lofty song. Paul and Silas sang praises in their prison; we should rejoice in tribulation also, and in every thing give thanks. Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely (Ps. cxlvii. 1). THE PROMISES In Rev. ii. iii. THE promises, how unalloy'd, How in the word of God they shine, How are they full of power divine To him who overcomes. The "Tree of Life," which is within No place for Satan or for sin, Bought and secured by Jesu's blood For him who overcomes. "The second death," the lake of fire, No hurt no pain shall bring: |