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The Apostle says to the Corinthians, in a tone of reproach, Now ye are full.' There is certainly, even on this side eternity, a being blissfully satisfied, which is promised to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The soul of the righteous shall not suffer hunger. 'I shall not want,' says the Patriarch, 'It is enough,' said Israel. But that satiety which is injurious, is when a Christian is so satisfied with his state of grace, that he supposes he has experienced every thing that is to be experienced, and judges every thing according to his experience; and that with so much self-love, as if every thing that was above and beyond it was imaginary. This is a great mistake, and entirely opposed to poverty of spirit. Paul therefore says also, Whosoever thinketh himself to be something whilst he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.' If we are really nothing, we must learn to know ourselves as such; and this is just the chief thing. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.'. He that supposes he knows any thing, is still ignorant of every thing; and thus it is with other things. Only look at Jacob. In which way did he become Israel? In that of humility. Every support was taken away from him, his hip was dislocated, and, instead of every other stay, the Son of God is alone left him; and unless he is willing to fall into the hands of his enemy, he must throw himself into the arms of the angel of the covenant. And at the moment when all is over with him he His former name was now no longer conquers. suitable for him. The Lord had vouchsafed him superior grace; the gold of his faith was more purified

from the dross attached to it; and thus he obtained a

new name.

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Thy name shall be called no more Jacob.' Fear shall never again take possession of thy heart in the same degree, because thy soul will cleave to me, and thus imbibe my vivifying and peaceful influences. Thou shalt never more experience such great vicissitudes of fear and hope, anxiety and joy; thou shalt be more perfect in me!

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People often miscalculate in their religious course. If they have happily escaped from a gloomy vale, and again rejoice in their state of grace; if the mists of doubt disappear before the lovely beams of the Sun of Righteousness, they often think they have now attained, and believe that in future they will not be so timid. But does not a degree of presumption lie in such an idea, as if the individual could do this or that of himself? and Jesus, who has said, Without me ye can do nothing,' is too jealous of his honor, and of the maintaining of his promises, of his Jesus-name, to endure such presumption in his favorites. He will therefore sit as a refiner, and purify the sons of Levi, even as gold and silver is purified, until his gold attains the purity he has intended. Perhaps he dislocates their thigh, and brings them into such straits that they feel incompetent to strive without Him, against a doubt, whether great or small; and are compelled to give full assent to his assertion, that they can do nothing.

But what then? Thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel;' this is that magnificent title which no one ever bore except Jacob. It means a

prince of God! God makes a show of Jacob, as it were, and boasts of him, because through him he had accomplished so much. Thus, God acts also towards his people, when he says, ' Fear not, thou worm Jacob! I will help thee. Thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small like chaff.' If a worm can thresh mountains, it is only possible through God, who. receives all the honor of it. Thus Jesus boasts respecting his sheep," That they shall never perish, and no one shall pluck them out of his hands." This excites the world, together with the hosts of hell. The most specious errors, the vilest temptations, fire, sword, martyrdom, imprisonment, and death, are called forth to see whether defenceless sheep cannot be destroyed. Whole hosts of wolves attack them; and what do they accomplish? Nothing; except that they prove the faithfulness of Jesus, and increase his fame. And here even God strives with a weak and sinful man, and cannot overcome him! 'In all these things we come off more than conquerors, through Him that hath loved us.'

'Thou shalt be called Israel.' What are all the titles, however high-sounding, which men may bear? They dissolve, at length, into, smoke and vapor, of which the age in which we live has furnished astonishing proofs. In themselves they are no protection; least of all against the wrath of God, to whom that which is highly esteemed amongst men is an abomination; and who chooses, by preference, that which is weak, simple, despised, and nothing, that he may confound that which is wise, mighty, and noble; yea, and things that are not,

may

to bring to nought things that are; that no flesh may glory in his presence, and that the abundant power be of God, and not of us. What a foolish direction is given to the ambitious feeling implanted in us by God, when we seek honor from men, instead of that which cometh from God; when we seek earthly possessions, and are not rich in God! A bruised reed in the kingdom of God, is more than those who are regarded in the world as stately oaks; and a glimmering taper in the temple of Jesus Christ, more than burning torches out of it. Esau far exceeded Jacob in earthly possessions. He could take the field with four hundred men, ⚫ and his sons were princes. But God loved Jacob, and not Esau. Of what avail, therefore, was all his superiority? Be not deceived, for that is only valuable which appears so in the eyes of God.

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'Thou shalt be called Israel.' The Patriarch doubtless received this name with reference to the remarkable individual whose progenitor he was to be, and in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessedJesus Christ, to whom the name of Prince of God' peculiarly belongs. It is also said in Jer. xxx. 21, Their prince shall be of themselves, and their governor shall proceed from the midst of them, and he shall proceed from the midst of them, and he shall approach unto me.' King, Prince of Life, Lord of Glory, are his titles; And upon his vesture and his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings.' He indeed strove with God, with men, and with devils, and overcame, and has received a name which is above every name. Without his conflict, all our wrestling would be lost

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labor;

querors.

but through him we come off more than con

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The wondrous man also adduces the reason why he changed the name of Jacob into Israel; For,' says he, as a prince thou hast power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.' The name Jacob-supplanter-was also a very instructive and encouraging name; but the Patriarch, from want of light, had not found much encouragement in it: hence the Lord gives him the requisite instruction respecting his new name. 'In thy light,' says the Psalmist, we see light:' and prays, Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.' We require the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, not less than the disciples of the Lord, who, nevertheless enjoyed his instruction. Without his light, "We see men, at the best, only as trees walking;' and therefore indistinctly and confusedly. Hence Paul not only taught, but prayed also, that the Ephesians might comprehend the height, and breadth, and depth, and length of the love of God.

God bears witness to Jacob that he had wrestled; and we have been spectators of the conflict. He had engaged in the contest with all the energy outwardly of his body, inwardly of his will. And thus it ought to be. The slothful man dies over his wishes, and his hands refuse to labor. Let such a one go to the ant and learn of that little insect, if he cannot see it in Jacob, how to exert all his strength, and employ every means. Let him do his uttermost, and not lie down to sleep too soon upon the pillow of human inability, which he is acquainted with only from hearsay. Jacob