clared, saying, 'My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.' Moses eagerly caught at this, and said, 'If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known that I and thy people have found favor in thy sight, except thou goest with us? And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken, for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.' This emboldened Moses so much, that he said, 'I beseech thee, shew me thy glory? The Lord answered, 'I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. But thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live. But thou shalt see my back-parts.' And thus Moses beheld the glory of the Lord from behind, and the face of Moses shone in consequence, so that the children of Israel could not look at him without a veil.

Jacob also said, I have seen God face to face.' But in reality he only saw the human form which the Lord had assumed for a season. In the fulness of time, he took upon him our nature, in personal union with his Divine. The infinite surrounded himself with bounds, and the invisible became visible-God became man. Without controversy, great is the mystery. With what rapture shall all his elect eventually behold him, be like him, and see him as he is! Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.'

But even here below there is a seeing God in grace, in a spiritual manner, and superior to sense.

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The earth, the sky with its splendid and majestic lights, the beauty of the spring, the blossoming trees, the waving corn-fields, the rolling of the thunder in the clouds, the genial dew-all remind us of an overruling providence. But Job at length says, after the Lord had taught him from a whirlwind, I formerly heard thee with the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee;' and the consequence was, 'Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' Hence the knowledge that Job obtained after his affliction was more profound and perfect than before; even as we receive a much clearer idea of a thing, which we see with our eyes, than by merely hearing of it.

Such was also the case with Jacob. Distinguished light had risen upon him by means of this conflict, such as he had never possessed before. He became much more intimately acquainted with his God than previously; even as when we see the face of some one whom we had only known before from report. Now if it be eternal life to know the true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent; if life consist in righteousness, peace, and joy, he had evidently increased in all these in a remarkable manner; Christ in the struggle, had become more perfectly formed within him, although painful distress had preceded it. In thy light we see light,' says David, and prays: Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.' He also confesses that the law of the Lord is perfect, rejoicing the heart, and making wise the simple. But Peter says, 'Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.' Now this is not

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accomplished by reflection, studying and reading; by these the head may indeed be filled with orthodox thoughts and ideas; but this, as Paul says, is only 'the form of sound words.' It is like undigested food, which may indeed puff up, but cannot strengthen or nourish. Hence the same apostle says, 'Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.' The instruction which Jesus imparts, is given us by the Holy Spirit on the path of experience, by means of a variety of providential dispensations, afflictions, consolations, impartations and privations, disturbance and peace, strength and weakness. Thus he teaches sinners in the way, he guides the meek aright, and teacheth the humble his way. It is thus that he instructs them respecting sin and grace, until with Job they are able to renounce themselves entirely, and give God all the glory; the path which was rugged before, then becomes straight and even.

Jacob then also mentions the effect of this seeing God, and adds, 'My life is preserved.'

He was delivered. His former state was an oppressive one-fightings without, and fears within. Esau with his four hundred men terrified him. His faith was weak; his courage small; joy had departed from his soul, and clouds of sorrow darkened his mind, which vented themselves in tears. That night had been the most painful and distressing one he had ever spent ; he saw nothing but death before him, which Esau had sworn concerning him, and he knew that he was not to be trifled with. It seemed as if God himself had given him over unto death, when he commanded him to return out of Mesopotamia. He had recourse by

prayer to that God, who had hitherto blessed and protected him, in order to pour out his fears and his distress before him, and to entreat his deliverance. He knew not by what means he would help him. But what befel him during prayer? We know already. A man struggled with him in such a manner as to dislocate his thigh.

Thus the Lord exercises his people by a variety of afflictions; not unfrequently in such a manner as to cause them to think they must despair and perish, and really would do so, did not the Lord sustain them, in a faithful and confident manner, although imperceptible to themselves; nay, to say the truth, they really do perish and despair-that is, with reference to themselves; so that, on their part, they are compelled to exclaim, "We perish!' and are deprived of the power to believe, and hope; even as Jacob was not only stripped of the ability to defend himself, but also even to flee. Such situations are, indeed, no pastime; as Jacob also found it. But the end of the ways of God is better than their beginning; exaltation follows humiliation, and life follows death.

Thus it proved also in Jacob's case. My life is preserved,' said he. He now felt very different. He was like the eagle, who renews his youth, whose feathers grow again, so that he can again elevate himself upon his pinions and soar aloft to hover in the rays of the sun. His confidence in God was quickened, and his whole soul was tranquilized so that he could boldly look around him. Fear had departed, and he was enabled confidently to appear before Esau. He had all, and abounded.

Such a pleasing reverse is promised in numberless passages; 'I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you;' 'I will comfort thee as a mother comforteth her child;' 'I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness;' and many more such promises. They are also faithfully fulfilled in all those whom the Lord humbles; and hence, it is said, Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.' My heart rejoices at thy willingness to help. I will praise the Lord for his mercies towards me. He hath preserved my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from fallingBless the Lord, O my soul! and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, and forget not all his benefits!' Thus the same David rejoiced, who had uttered so many complaints. Thus many a child of God is able to rejoice; and what exultation, and blessing, and praise will there be, when they shall arrive in heaven out of all their tribulation, after having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!

But what praise to the glory of Divine grace is excited, even here below, in those favored souls who can exult with David, and say, 'The Lord hath delivered me from all my fears;' who possess peace in the Lord in an uniform and permanent manner, although in the world they may have tribulation; and who have attained the great grace of being able to rejoice in the Lord always, and to exclaim in the spirit of adoption, 'Abba, Father!' O happy souls, who are redeemed