The History of the Old Testament Methodized

SECT. XXXII.

JAcob being now perplexed with fear, by reason of that which his Sons had done to the Shechemites, and perhaps thinking to remove to some other place, the Lord appeared to him (whither by Vision or Dream is uncertain,) and appointed him to go to Bethel, which was distant from Shechem Southward about 30 English miles, and to build there an Altar unto God, who appeared to him when he fled from the face of his Brother Esau, thereby calling to his remembrance the gracious Promises which God had there made to him, and the Vow which he had there made to God, and possibly he had delayed to perform it, Ch. 28.22. And this Stone which I have set up for a Pillar shall be God's House, &c. Then Jacob being quickened by the late danger he was in, as likewise by the Lord's appearing to him, and commanding him to go to Bethel to perform the Vow he had there made; He spake to those of his own proper Family, and as 'tis like, to those who appertain'd to him, and were of his Retinue, and pitched their Tents with him, to put away the strange God's that were among them, that is, the Idols which other Nations worshipped, but might not be endured among them that worshipped the true God. Whether hereby he meant Laban 's God's, or Teraphim stolen by Rachel, and possibly not before this time known to him, or any other brought by some of his Retinue, when they came from Laban and Mesopotamia, (whom he perceived too much addicted to the Superstitions of that Country) or some of the Shechemites Idols, possibly of Gold or Silver which they had lately plundered, and secretly kept, is uncertain. He commands them also to purify or wash themselves, and to change their Garments, putting on others, or washing those they had on; which external Rite or Ceremony was afterwards enjoined by the Law in divers Cases, as we may see Levite. 15.13. Numb. 31.23. and imported a change of Mind and Manners, and a cleansing themselves from all filthiness both of Flesh and Spirit; which he intimates to them they stood in need of more especially, not only by reason of their defilement by Idolatry, but in regard of their late base murder committed on the Shechemites. And having exhorted them to prepare and sanctify themselves for that solemn Worship of God which he was to set up and exercise with his Family at Bethel; he now encourages them to go up with him thither, where he intended to perform his Vow formerly made in that place, [ Ch. 28.17.] and to build an Altar to God, where before he had only erected a Pillar, about 27 years ago. Jacob 's Family yielded a ready compliance to this his Injunction, and brought to him such Idols as they had among them, and the Ear-Ornaments or Rings, which probably they had plundered from the Shechemites, who had worn them in honor of their Idols, see Hosea 2.13. And Jacob buried them under an Oak by Shechem, from the knowledge of his Family and People, that they might never be found or used again. Then he and his Company marched towards Bethel (formerly called Luz, Ch. 12, 8.) and the terror of the Lord was upon the Cities that were round about them, that they did not pursue after them, nor destroy them, as they might have done. And he built there an Altar to sacrifice thereon, where God appeared to him, when he fled from the face of his Brother Esau. Jacob being now not far from his Father Isaac 's House (whom in all likelihood he had often visited before this, having been seven years at least in Canaan since his return from Laban, and had frequent intercourse with him.) I say, being near his Fathers House, as it seems Deborah Rebeccas Nurse (see Ch. 24.59.) came from Isaac 's House to visit him, and there died, and with great mourning was buried under an Oak. God now appeared to Jacob again after he was come from Padan-Aram, (and this is the Seventh time that he had revealed himself to him in an especial manner) and confirms the Name Israel to him a second time [see Gen. 32.28.] And God said unto him, I am God Almighty [see Ch. 17.1.] Be fruitful and multiply. A Nation, yea many Nations shall spring from thee; yea even Kings shall come out of thy Loins. The Land which I promised to Abraham and Isaac, to thee will I give it, and to thy Posterity, and not to Esau. Then the Lord ascended up to Heaven, vanishing out of his sight. And Jacob set up a Pillar in this Place where the Lord had talked with him, as a perpetual Memorial of God's goodness to him; The former which he set up there near thirty years before, being (in all likelihood) demolished; and he poured a Drink-Offering and Oil thereon [see Gen. 28.18.] So that these were in use for Consecration before the Ceremonial Law of Moses. And he a second time called the Name of the Place Bethel, or the House of God. Jacob stayed not long here, but travailed from hence to Ephrath, or Bethlehem-Ephratah, [Mich. 5.2.] where our Savior afterwards was born. His beloved Rachel, when they had almost reached the Place, fell in travail, and having exceeding hard labor (though the Midwife comforted her that she should have another Son, which she accordingly brought forth, but immediately after finding herself dying, and her Soul departing from her Body, she called the Name of her Son Benoni, that is, the Son of my sorrow. And thus she died by bearing a Child, who before quarrelled with her Husband, and said, Give me Children or else I die. But Jacob would not suffer such a Name to be given to his Son, that might continually renew his sorrow for the loss of his dear Wife, and therefore called him Benjamin, that is, the Son of my right hand, intimating that he should be his beloved Son, tenderly regarded by him, and always, as it were at his right hand. Jacob had now 12 Sons, all which are said to born to him in Padan-Aram; that is, all besides Benjamin by a Synecdoche. Afterwards when the 12 Tribes were accounted and settled, Ephrahim and Manasseh (the Sons of Joseph ) were put in, and Joseph and Levi (in a sort) left out, that is, Levi was left out as to having any Land by lot in Canaan. They are called the 12 Patriarchs, Acts 7.8. and the 12 Tribes, Acts 26.7. Their Names were engraven on 12 precious Stones on the High Priests Breast-Plate, Exod. 28.21, 29. And on the 12 Gates of the New Jerusalem, Ezek. 48.31. Apoc. 21.12. Jacob buried Rachel in the way to Bethlehem-Ephratah, and set a Pillar or Monument upon her Grave, which continued unto Moses 's time, yea it stood in the time of Samuel and Saul, 1 Sam. 10.2. About this place many Infants were murdered by Herod, Math. 2.16. Jer. 31.15.

Then Israel journeyed forward, and set up his Tents beyond the Tower of Edar, a mile from Bethlehem towards the South, and there Reuben defiled his Fathers Bed, lying with Bilhah his Concubine. And Israel heard thereof, and was grieved at the very heart for it, because thereby God was highly offended, his own Family dishonored, and Cause was given to the Heathen of great Scandal and Reproach. So that Jacob had reason on his Death-bed to complain of this foul Transgression, and to deprive Reuben of his Birthright for it, 1 Chron. 5.1, 2. Gen. 49.4.

Gen. 35. from 1. to 23.

SECT. XXXIII.

ELeven years after Jacob 's return into Canaan, when he was now about 108 years old, He sent his Son Joseph (being 17 years of age) to the Sons of his Hand-Maids (that were feeding the Flock) that he might he trained up in the knowledge and skill of ordering Cattle; And he the rather sent him to them than to his Sons by Leah, to avoid envy and emulation; and possibly he hoped that the Sons of Bilhah (Rachel's Hand-Maid) would for Rachel's sake be more kind to him. Jacob loved him more than all his Children, being the Son of his beloved Rachel, and the Son of his old age; and possibly he saw in him, besides the comeliness of his Person, some Presages of more than ordinary Wisdom, and a great Mind. And to testify his love to him, he made him a Coat of divers colors [such a Coat Tamar had, and such Kings Daughters used to wear, who were Virgins. See 2 Sam. 13.18.] But because of Jacob 's singular love to Joseph, his Brethren hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Joseph relates to his Father their injurious usage of him, and their evil Conversation among themselves, which could not but be a great trouble to the good old Man. Joseph after this dreamed a Dream, which was to this purpose, viz. That as they were binding Sheaves in the field, his Sheaff rose up and stood upright, and that his Brothers Sheaves stood round about it, and made obeisance to it.

This Dream he himself being much affected with, out of an youthful simplicity told it to his Brethren. This much inrag'd them that he should dream such a Dream, as if he should Reign and Rule over them, and they hated him for it. He dreamed again another Dream, to wit, that the Sun, Moon, and eleven Stars made obeisance to him; and telling this also to his Father and to his Brethren, his Father rebuked him for it, not knowing that these dreams were of God, but fearing that they proceeded from his own ambitious thoughts, and the effect of them would be to stir up the envy of his Brethren against him; What (says he) shall I and thy Mother Leah, and thy eleven Brethren come and bow down to thee? This he said at present to prevent the exalting of Josephs mind, and to abate the envy of his Brethren. But afterwards when he came to consider that his Dream was doubled, and both tended to signify the same thing, he began to think there might be something more in it than he yet perceived, and so laid it up in his heart. Having therefore as 'tis like for a while kept Joseph at home with him at Hebron where he now dwelt, (to prevent all discord between him and his Brethren) some time after he sends him to visit his Brethren that were feeding their Flocks at Shechem, about 16 miles off, the place where about four years ago they had committed that Massacre upon the Shechemites, and ever since, as 'tis like, the less inhabited, and so more fit for Pasturage. I say, he sends him to see how His Brethren did, and whether all things were well with them, and possibly Jacob thought hereby to oblige them, and to procure to Joseph some kindness among them. Joseph accordingly goes to seek his Brethren, and being directed by a Stranger, he found them in Dothan, about eight miles distant from Shechem. As soon as they saw him coming towards them, they said in derision among themselves, behold This dreamer cometh, Come let us kill him, and cast him into some Pit, and then tell our Father that some evil Beast hath devoured him, and so we shall see what will become of his Dreams. But Reuben (the eldest of Jacob 's Sons by Leah who had most cause to be jealous of this eldest Son by Rachel ) designing to save him from their fury, and to deliver him to his Father again, advised them by no means to lay violent hands on him themselves, but rather to put him into a Pit that was there in the Wilderness, and so they might more handsomely rid themselves of him. But this he advised not with any intent to let him lie there, but to take him out secretly afterwards, and so to restore him to his Father. They agreeing to what Reuben advised, forthwith stripped Joseph of his fine Coat, and cast him into the Pit (notwithstanding all his ernest entreaties and tears, and the anguish of Soul they saw him in, Gen. 42.21.) In which, though very deep, yet there was no water. When they had done this, without any remorse for their cruel Fact, they sat down to eat bread, and make merry, not at all regarding the afflictions of Joseph, Amos 6.6. Immediately whilst they were eating, they see a Caravan of Merchants, that were partly Ishmaelites (descended of Ishmael, Hagar's Son) and partly Midianites (descended of Midian, Keturahs Son, Gen. 25.2.) who dwelling both in Arabia, 'tis like did Traffick together; and having been at Gilead to buy Balm and Spicery, were now travelling that way towards Egypt to sell their Merchandize there. Reuben (it seems) before they sat down to eat, had, upon some pretence, slip'd away from them, intending, without their knowledge, to take Joseph out of the Pit; but he being absent, and these Merchants coming by, Judah said to them, What profit would it be to us to kill our Brother, and then conceal his death? we should remember that he is our own Flesh and Blood; In my opinion we had better sell him to these Merchants, and so rid ourselves of him. To this motion they readily agreed, and accordingly drawing Joseph out of the Pit, they sold him to these Merchants (for 20 pieces of Silver amounting to about 1 l. 5 s. of our money) who carried him down into Egypt, and there sold him to Potiphar an Officer of Pharaoh's, and Captain of his Guard. Reuben not long after Joseph was gone (knowing nothing of what they had done) came to the Pit, and not finding him there, he rent his Clothes (as they used to do in cases of great and extreme sorrow (to intimate how their hearts were rent and torn with grief) and came to his Brethren, and told them their Brother was not in the Pit, and he supposed they had slain him in his absence, as at first they intended. But when they had told him that they had only sold him to the Ishmaelites, and had not killed him, he consented with them to Conceal this their Fact from their Father, and to deceive him with a forged Tale. For they killed a Kid, and dipped Joseph 's Coat in the blood of it, and sent it to their Father by Messengers of their own appointing, who bringing it to Him, told him, They had found it, and desired to know of him whether it was his Son Josephs Coat or no. Old Jacob immediately knew it, and cried out, O my Son Joseph is dead! doubtless He is rent in pieces by wild Beasts. Then He rent his Clothes, and put Sackcloth upon his Loins, and mourned for him many days. And all his Sons and their Wives with Dinah his Daughter rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted; that is, his Passions did so far prevail over him, that he minded not what they said, but gave way to the extremity of his sorrow. He told them, He should carry this sorrow with him to his grave, and should go mourning into the state of the dead, to his dear Son; All which did much aggravate the wickedness of his Sons, who had brought this great sorrow upon their aged Father, yea and upon Isaac their Grandfather also, who lived some years after this, and therefore had his share doubtless in this great Affliction.

Gen. 37. whole Chapter.

SECT. XXXIV.

NOt long after this Jacob goeth to the Valley of Mamre near Hebron to visit his Father, who shortly after died, and was gathered unto his People, that is, to the society of the Just, such as he Himself was, aged 180 years, and was buried in Hebron by his two Sons Jacob and Esau as Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham, Gen. 25.9. See Sect. 17. When the Funeral was over, Esau removed out of that Land, with his Wives and his Substance, to Mount Seir (so called from a man of that Name) in the Southern Border of Canaan, which Land God gave to Esau, Deut. 2.5, 12. Jos. 24.4. partly because His and his Brother Jacob's Riches and Stock were so increased, that they could not conveniently dwell together in the same Land; and especially God in his all-wise Providence thus disposed and inclined Esau 's heart to it, that he might leave Jacob in the Possession of Canaan, which was appointed for his Posterity, and that when the Israelites should come afterwards to inherit that Land, Esau 's Posterity might neither be destroyed, nor displaced. Esau was called Edom, as we have seen before, Gen. 25.30. and from him Idumaea took its Name. The Dominion of this Land was first in the hands of Seir the Horite, (whose Race is set down) among whom Ana is reckoned, ( Esau 's Father in law ) who first found out or devised the joining of a Mare and an He-Ass together, whence issued a kind of beast half-Ass and half-Horse, called Mules, that never bred of themselves, and are only thus begotten. And thus the Temporal blessings promised unto Esau by his Father Isaac, [Gen. 27.39.] had their full accomplishment in due time; As likewise the Promise to Abraham, [Gen 22.17.] I will multiply thy Seed as the Stars of Heaven, and as the sand upon the Sea-shore: As also the Oracle given to Rebecca, Gen. 20.22. Two Nations are in thy Womb, and two manner of People shall be separated from thy bowels, &c. Esau had a great Posterity: Many Dukes descended from him, as we find Gen. 36. from verse. 15. to 20. and after Dukes there were eight Kings of his Posterity, verse. 31. which bare successively a golden Scepter (while Jacob 's Posterity was in bondage in Egypt, and before there reigned any Kings over the Children of Israel, ) and after Kings, Dukes again. So that we see the accomplishment of the Promise made to Abraham, Gen. 17.16. That Kings should proceed from Sarah.

Gen. 36. whole Chapter.

1 Chron. 1. from verse. 35. to the end.

SECT. XXXV.

JUdah having shown himself very unnatural (as we have seen before, Sect. 33.) towards his Brother Joseph, we come now to observe how he was punished in his Children; He had at that time, namely, since Jacob's return out of Mesopotamia, and coming into Canaan (contrary to God's Command, and the good example of his Progenitors, and doubtless without, if not against his Fathers advise and consent ) married a Canaanitish woman, who bare him three Sons, Er, Onan, and Shelah: The eldest of these he married to Tamar, but He being very wicked, the Lord by some remarkable judgment slew him. Then He spake to his second Son Onan to marry her, and to raise up Seed to his deceased Brother, according to the use and custom of that time, which 'tis like was at first prescribed to them by God, (but when it was prescribed doth not appear) and was confirmed afterwards by an express Law, [see Deut. 25.5, 6. Ruth 1.11. Math. 22.24.] and this was to preserve the Preeminence of the First-born, as a Type of Christ, otherwise, and in any other case, the Brothers marrying of the dead Brothers Widow was forbidden, Levite. 18.16. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy Brothers Wife: it is thy Brothers nakedness. And this Law seems to be of a moral nature, and perpetually binding; and hereupon Herod was reproved by John the Baptist, for marrying his Brother Philip's Wife; but the former was prescribed to the Jews only upon that particular reason before mentioned, and being only a temporary exception or dispensation from a perpetual Precept, concerned only their peculiar state, and with it, it is at an end. But Onan though he married her as his Father enjoin'd him, yet wickedly envying the honor of his dead Brother, he resolved not to be the Father of any Child, that should be reputed His Brothers, and not his own, and therefore rather than he would raise up seed unto his Brother, he spilled his seed on the ground. For which great wickedness God cut him off with sudden Vengeance. Onan being dead, his third Son Selah was to marry her, but Judah (it seems) fearing the like ill hap to him which had befallen his elder Brothers, and suspecting (perhaps) some fault in her, or that some unluckiness followed her, he persuades her to go to her Fathers House, and there continue till his Son Shelah was grown up, pretending to her, He should then marry her, but intending no such thing. Shortly after Judah 's own Wife the Daughter of Shuah died; and when his mourning for her was over, he went up to his Sheep-Shearers at Timna, at which time they used to feast and rejoice with their Friends. Tamar understanding this, and perceiving how Judah had dealt with her as to Selah, she putting off her Widows Apparel, and putting on a Veil, and disguising herself, she sat in an open place, in the way to Timna, where Judah was to pass, both to tempt and be tempted. Judah not knowing her thus veiled, and taking her for an Harlot, he applies himself to her accordingly, and promises to send her a Kid from his Flock for a Reward. She (as it seems whispering or changing her voice and tone, that he might not discern who she was) consents to him, on condition he would give her a Pledge, viz. his Signet, his Bracelets, and his Staff, that he would perform what he promised. Hereupon He lay with her, and she conceived by him, and went her way, and took her Widows Apparel again. Judah sends the Kid to her by his friend, intending to take up his Pledge; But he not finding her, Judah said, Let her take it, and keep it to herself, lest by overmuch inquiry after her, my folly with her be discovered, so much are men more afraid of shame before men than of sinning against God. About three months after it was told Judah that Tamar was with child by Whoredom. When He heard this, He was very angry, and said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt; that is, let her be carried before the Magistrate, that so she may be punished as an Adulteress with burning, according to the Law of the Country. For in regard of the promise that Judah had made of his third Son Selah to her for an Husband, and she had accepted of it, she was in the case of a betrothed Woman, and so her fault was to be reputed Adultery, for which Crime no less punishment was thought fit even before the Law was given. Judah herein bewrays his own partiality in his own sin, and inhumane cruelty, in thus judging her to fire, and the fruit of her Womb yet unborn, and that before he had heard what she could say for herself, never minding how unjustly he had dealt with her, in not giving Shelah to her, and possibly being willing to rid her out of the way, because he was unwilling to match Shelah to her. But Tamar being brought forth, sent to her Father-in-law the Signet, Bracelets and Staff, affirming, that by the Man to whom those belonged, she was with Child. Judah being thus convicted, did not shuffle as many would have done in such a case, but being conscious of his Crime, he acknowledges those things to be His; and thus she convicts by his own Seal, entangles him with his own Bracelets, and beats him with his own staff. He now acknowledges she was more Righteous than himself, because he had failed to give his Son Shelah to her, which if he had performed, her Chastity might possibly have been preserved; And thus the cause fell, when the Prosecutor was turned from charging her, to accuse himself, wherein he testifi'd his Repentance, and as an evidence thereof he ceased from offending in that kind again with her, and wherein he had done amiss, resolved to do so no more, see Job 34.32. Shelah was after married, and probably to Tamar. See Numb. 26.20. Tamars time of travail now drawing nigh, behold Twins were in her Womb. Her travail was very painful and perilous by the strife of the Twins in her body; and by that God seemed to Chastize her for her great offense. One of the Children putting forth his hand, (which was not according to the ordinary course of Nature) the Midwife bound a Scarlet thread upon it, by that mark to discover him from the other, saying, This comes forth first; for so she persuaded herself it would be. But He drawing in his hand again, behold his Brother came out. Then she said, How is it that thou art first broken forth? This breach is thine, (or thou art first broken forth into the World, and hast put back thy Brother, ) and thou shalt bear the name of it, and shalt be called Pharez, which signifies a breach. Then came forth the other with the Scarlet thread, whom they called Zarah, from a word signifying to appear, because he first appeared, and in part came forth first, All these things seem here so punctually related to show the birth of Pharez, who was one of our Savior's Progenitors, and to intimate to us that it is of mere Grace, that one of Judah's Family, the fruit of Incest, was chosen to be the Stock from whom the Messiah should Spring; as also to assure us that Christ will not reject great Sinners, who repenting of their Sins fly unto him for pardon, seeing he would (as to his human Nature ) descend of such as were guilty of so great Transgressions.

Gen. 38. whole Chapter.

SECT. XXXVI.

JOseph (as we have shown, Sect. 33.) being carried down into Egypt, and sold to Potiphar, an Officer of Pharaohs, and Captain of his Guard, the Lord's blessing so eminently went along with him, that he quickly found favor in the eyes of his Master, and he employed him first as an ordinary Servant in his house, then to attend his own Person, as Groom of his Chamber, and finding by the effects the blessing of God to follow what he did, and that he was a prosperous man, he made him Overseer, or Steward over his whole house; And 'tis like Joseph being a young man of great ingenuity, quickly learned the Egyptian Language, to enable him for his Masters Service: And 'twas evident to Potiphar that God blessed his House, and blessed all that he had in the House, or in the Field, for Joseph 's sake. So great is the benefit of having religious Servants. Potiphar hereupon committed the Care of all his Affairs and Concerns to Joseph, minding nothing himself, save only to eat and drink, and follow his own contentments. Joseph going on to serve his Master after this manner with all fidelity, and being a goodly person, and well-favored, about 10 or 11 years after he had been brought down into Egypt, and about the 27th year of his age, his lustful Mistress cast her wanton Eyes upon him, and entic'd him to commit folly with her. He refused the motion with indignation, telling her how great a Trust his Master had reposed in him, having put all he had into his Hands but his Wife only, and therefore (says He) How can I do this great Wickedness and Sin against God? And how can I be so base, so ungrateful, so disloyal and unfaithful to my kind Master? But she impudently ply'd him with fresh Solicitations, which he by the Grace of God as strongly resisted, and shunned (as much as He could) coming nigh her, or being in her company. Shortly, upon a time coming home to perform the business of his Place, this impudent Woman observing most of the Servants of the House to be absent, thought that a fit opportunity for her wicked purpose, and so laying hands on him, said, Come and lie with me. O the prodigiousness of Lust, which breaks through all the bands of Conscience and Modesty, and instigates a Woman (who should be modest and shamefacit ) impudently to offer to commit a Rape upon a Man! Joseph seeing himself in this danger, stays not to parly with her, but struggling to get away from her, He leaves his upper Garment (which she had taken hold of) in her hands. She seeing that he had thus escaped from her, runs out, and making a Noise, calls to those Servants that were about the house, and showing the Garment, See (saith she) how my Husband hath brought in an Hebrew (so she speaks of him in contempt) among us, who by a dishonest and lewd attempt upon me, hath endeavored to bring Disgrace and a Reproach upon us; and so she laid up the Garment to produce it when her Lord came home. Thus, seeing Joseph will not satisfy her Lust, she will now satisfy her Revenge upon him; her raging Lust being now turned into raging hatred. Accordingly when her Husband came home, she tells him how Joseph had made an attempt upon her Chastity, and though she herself was the only guilty Person, yet she deeply and vehemently accuses the Innocent; and as an evidence of his attempt and Crime, she produces his Garment. Her Husband hearing this, falls into an extreme rage, and without examining the matter, or hearing Joseph speak for himself, or at ieast not believing him, casts him immediately into Prison. 'It is wonder he did not presently kill him, considering how violently the rage of jealously is, and especially in an Heathen, not awed by the fear of God; But God so over-ruled his heart, that he was only cast into Prison, which his Providence intended afterwards should be the means of his advancement. Yet at first (it seems) Potiphar ordered him to be laid in Irons, and thrown into the Dungeon. See Ch. 40.15. and Psal. 105.18, 19. His feet they hurt with Fetters, and he was laid in Irons. But there also the Lord was with him, and comforted him with his own Consolations under these his sore Afflictions; and the Prison was not so much a Prison as a School of Virtue and Patience to him, and after a time, gave him favor in the eyes of the Keeper of the Prison, or chief Goaler, (who probably was an Officer under Potiphar the Captain of the Guard, see Ch. 40.4.) to whom it's like he declared the whole matter, and cleared his Innocency; and Potiphar by his Officers relation might possibly at last begin to be better persuaded of him. But the chief Goaler was so confident of his Innocency, that he committed to his Care all his Prisoners, and he had the Rule of the whole Prison, and all things were under his ordering and direction. So that the chief Goaler took care of nothing, seeing how careful Joseph was, and observing how God prospered and blessed all that he did. Thus though the Archers hated him, shot at him and sorely grieved him, yet his Bow abode in strength, and his Hands were strong by the mighty God of Jacob, Gen. 49.23, 24.

Gen. 39. whole Chapter.

SECT. XXXVII.

DUring the time of Joseph 's Imprisonment, it happened that two of Pharaoh's great Officers, viz. his chief Bulter or Cupbearer, and his chief Baker, for some Crime committed against their Lord and Master were cast into the same Prison, and the Captain of the Guard who it seems had the chief Command of the Kings Prison, (being now as we shown before, better persuaded of Joseph 's Innoceny) committed them to his Care: After they had continued (as is supposed) about a year in Prison, they both of them in one Night dreamed a Dream, and each of them had a dream congruous to his condition, presaging somewhat to come to pass, and which seemed not to be idle and vain Dreams. Joseph coming to them in the Morning found them very sad; For dreams sent of God do usually much affect Men, as we may see Ch. 41.8. and Dan. 2.1. They tell him they had each of them dreamed a Dream, which did much trouble them, and they being Prisoners could not go to the Magicians and Soothsayers to have them interpreted, whom, in such cases, they used to consult. He tells them they were deceived if they expected the Interpretation of their Dreams from such Wizards; the true Interpretation of Dreams belonged only to God, and to those to whom he is pleased to reveal them. And finding by a present instinct of God's Spirit that he should be able to interpret them, He desired them to impart their Dreams unto him. The chief Butler hereupon tells him what his Dream was; namely, in his Dream he saw a Vine with three Branches, which budded, and its bunches brought forth ripe Grapes, and Pharaoh 's Cup being in his Hand, he pressed the Grapes into the Cup, and gave it unto Pharaoh. Joseph considering this Dream, told him this was the Interpretation thereof; viz. the three Branches signifi'd three days, and within that time he should be lifted up again, and restored to the Office from which he was deposed, and Pharaoh when he shall take a survey of his Family, shall reckon and account him in the number of his Court-Officers as He was before. And (says Joseph ) when it shall be thus well with thee, think on me, and make mention of Me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this Prison. For indeed I was stolen and conveyed away from my Father without his knowledge out of Canaan, (wherein the Posterity of Abraham the Hebrew dwelt, and to whom, by the Divine Promise, it belongs) and since I came hither have I done nothing whereby I deserved to be put into Prison, much less into the Dungeon. Thus we see, Joseph, who could tell when the chief Butler should be released, could not tell the time, or manner, or means of his own Deliverance, God having not revealed that unto him. And though he patiently submitted to the Providence of God, yet we see he is careful to use lawful means for his own Preservation; and though he pleads his own Innocency, yet he flies not out in any reviling or railing words against those that had so ill used him. The chief Baker hearing what a benign Interpretation Joseph had given of the chief Butler 's Dream, he was encouraged to tell him His also; and accordingly told him that in his Dream he thought he had three white Baskets on his bend, in the uppermost there were all manner of bake-meats for Pharaoh, and the Birds did eat them out of the Basket upon his head. Joseph tells him the Interpretation of his Dream was this; The three Baskets signified three days in which time Pharaoh would cause his head to be cut off, and lifted up as the head of a Traitor, and for the greater Ignomy would cause his body to be hanged on a Tree, so that the Fowls of the air should eat his Flesh. Thus Joseph faithfully forewarns him of his danger, that he might the better prepare himself for it. And as Joseph told him, it accordingly came to pass. For the third day after, being Pharaoh 's Birth-day, he celebrated it with great Magnificence, and made a great Feast to all his Servants, and so had occasion to take notice of his chief Officers; and among them reckoning the chief Butler and chief Baker, and calling to mind their Faults, he freely forgave the first, and restored him to his Place, so that he gave the Cup as formerly into the Kings Hand. But the chief Baker he caused to be hanged, as Joseph had foretold Him. But notwithstanding the chief Bulter was thus delivered according to Joseph 's Interpretation of his Dream, yet He with a wretched ingratitude forgot or neglected Joseph in Prison; And thus was the Faith and Patience of this dear Servant of God further tried, that he might be an Example to others to wait patiently upon God in long-continuing Afflictions; and withal he was taught not to ascribe his Deliverance, when it came, to the Favor of this Courtier, but to the watchful Care and Providence of God.

Gen. 40. whole Chapter.

SECT. XXXVIII.

TWo years after Pharaoh himself dreamed a Dream, that much affected him. He thought he stood by the River Nile, and saw seven fat and well-favored Kine come out of it, and feed in a Meadow, and behold seven lank and lean and ill-favored Kine came up after them, and devoured those seven fat ones. So he awoke. Then he dreamed again that he saw seven Ears of Corn come up out of the Stalk, fair and good; and then seven lank thin Ears (like those blasted with a strong and drying East-wind ) come up after them, and they devoured the former. In the Morning Pharaoh 's spirit was mightily troubled about these Dreams, and he sent for the Magicians and Soothsayers of Egypt to Interpret them to him, but they could not do it. Thus God sometimes causeth the wisdom of wise men to perish, Isa. 29.14. The King having tried these, and receiving no satisfaction from them, the chief Butler then stepped in, and said, Sir, I do remember my faults this day; some years since your Majesty being offended with me and your chief Baker, you cast us both into Prison, and we there dreamed both of us in one Night; each of us a different Dream, and of different Import, as the Interpretation manifested. And there was with us in the Prison a young man, an Hebrew, Servant to the Captain of the Guard, who did interpret our Dreams to us; whose Interpretation proved exactly true. For by his Interpretation he declared that I should be restored to my Place, and that the chief Baker should be hanged; both which accordingly came to pass. Pharaoh hearing this, presently sent for Joseph, who having before (as it seems) let his hair grow in a neglected manner, in sign of sorrow, (as Mephibosheth did, 2 Sam. 19.24.) now being to appear before the King, he trimmed himself and shaved his Beard, and changed his Raiment. When he came into the Kings Presence, Pharaoh told him he had dreamed a Dream which much troubled his spirit, and he could meet with no man among all his Magicians and Wise-men that could Interpret it; and he had heard of him, that he could understand a Dream and interpret it. Joseph humbly answered, That he durst not assume so much wisdom to himself, [see Dan. 2.30.] but doubted not but God (who is the Revealer of Secrets ) would give to Pharaoh such an Answer as should quiet his troubled mind concerning his Dream. Then Pharaoh told him both his Dreams, viz. That of the Kine, and that of the Ears of Corn. Joseph making as 'tis probable a little Pause, told him, Both his Dreams signifi'd one and the same thing, and that God did thereby intend to show and declare unto him what he was about to do. The seven fat Kine, and seven good Ears signifi'd seven years of wonderful and incredible plenty, and the seven lean Kine and seven lank Ears signifi'd seven years that should succeed them of very sore and extreme Famine; in so much that the plenty of the former years should be forgotten, and it should consume many both men and beasts in the Land; And for that the Dream was doubled, it was to assure Pharaoh that the thing was firmly decreed of God, and that he would certainly and shortly bring it to pass. Then (by the guidance and direction of the Spirit of God) he humbly advises Pharaoh to look out a wise and discreet man, and to set him over the Land of Egypt, and to appoint faithful Officers under him, who in the seven years of plenty should take up a fifth part of the Fruits of the Land, and of all manner of Provision the Ground afforded, which might serve for Food, which they should lay up in Granaries, at the Kings Charge, and sell it again afterwards to his Subjects in the time of Dearth, at a reasonable price, that so the Land perish not throw Famine. What Joseph said was highly pleasing and acceptable to Pharaoh and all his Court. And he said to his Servants, Where can we find such another man as this is, a man of such Wisdom, and Prudence, and Sagacity, which I perceive God by his Spirit hath bestowed on him in an extraordinary manner. Then turning to Joseph (he said) Forasmuch as I see that God hath endowed thee with extraordinary Gifts, I know no man so wise and discreet as thou art. Therefore thou shalt be over my House, yea I set thee over all the Land of Egypt, and according to thy word and direction shall all my People be governed, only in the Throne I will be greater than thou. Then Pharaoh took off his Ring from his Hand, and put it upon Joseph 's, and arrayed him in Silk and fine Linnen, and put a Gold Chain about his Neck, and appointed him to ride in the second Chariot to His own, and they cried before him, Bow the Knee, and so he was made Ruler under Pharaoh over all the Land of Egypt. Thus Joseph was made the second Man in the Kingdom, as Daniel was the third Man upon something a like occasion, Dan. 5.29. Further the King said, I am Pharaoh, and as sure as I am King, so sure without thy advise and authority not the least thing shall be done in matter of Government; no man shall do anything, or go any whither without thy Order; and Pharaoh gave him a new Name, and called him Zaphnath paaneah; that is, a Revealer of Secrets, [see Dan. 1.7.] And he gave him to Wife Asenah the Daughter of Potipherah, Priest of On, and so matched him into an honorable Family. As for Joseph 's marrying with this Egyptian Woman, it must be considered, it was an extraordinary Case, there being no other in the Land of Egypt to marry with, neither could he go elsewhere to seek a Wife without deserting that great Office whereto (for the benefit of the Church) God had advanced him. And besides he might possibly by some special instinct or revelation from God be moved to accept Pharaoh 's favor therein, as the like might be in Hesters marrying with Ahasuerus, and possibly by Joseph 's wise and pious Instructions his Wife might soon become a Proselyte to her Husbands Religion, as his Steward (in all likelihood) was, of whom we read Ch. 43.23. And we see the Children of this marriage were afterwards by Jacob accounted as the Fathers of two Tribes in Israel, Ch. 48.16. Joseph being now instaled by Pharaoh in his Government over all the Land of Egypt at the 30th year of his age, thirteen years after he was sold by his Brethren, Ch. 37.2.) He now went forth from the face of Pharaoh, and went thorough the Land in pursuance of the Kings Command, to appoint Officers everywhere, and to prepare Store-houses to lay up Corn conveniently in. And the seven years of plenty beginning, the Earth brought forth wonderfully, even by handfuls; that is, they had instead of one grain (as it were) as many as would fill the hand. During these seven years Joseph gathered together very carefully the fifth part of all the Fruits of the Earth, and bestowed them in convenient Granaries in the several Cities, and Places fit for receipt of them. And the quantity of Corn that was gathered was so immense, that it was even like the Sand of the Sea, not to be counted or numbered. Joseph had two Sons by his Lady the Daughter of Potipherah, before the years of Famine began; the first-born he called Manasseh (that is, making to forget ) for says he, God hath made me now forget all the Troubles and Hardships I have undergone, here in Egypt, and all the Injuries I received from my Fathers House, which I do not now think of by way of Offence, but as a merciful Dispensation to me, seeing they have been the means of my Advancement. And he called His second Son Ephraim, viz. fruitful; For says he, God hath made me fruitful, even in this very Land where I have been before much oppressed. The seven years of plenty being ended, the seven years of Famine began. And this Famine reached to the Neighbouring Countries, viz. Canaan, Arabia, &c. But in all the Land of Egypt, by reason of particular persons storing up great quantities of Corn, there was bread sufficient for a good while; but yet at last when the particular Provisions of the Inhabitants were spent, the people cried to Pharaoh for Bread, [2 Kings 6.26.] and he sent them to Joseph. And the Famine growing sore all over that Land. Joseph opened the Kings Store-houses, and sold to the Egyptians. And the Neighbouring Countries also being sore pressed with the Famine, came down into Egypt to Joseph to buy Corn, not knowing where else to be supplied.

Gen. 41. whole Chapter.

SECT. XXXIX.

IN the second year of the Famine, Jacob and his Family in Canaan being sore pressed with it, and seeing some of the Canaanites had gone into Egypt, and bought and brought Corn from thence, he asked his Sons, Why they stood like men amazed and helpless, looking one upon another, and did not go down into Egypt to buy Corn to keep them alive. Hereupon ten of his Son resolve to go thither, Jacob keeping Benjamin with himself, lest some mischief should befall him, as had formerly befallen his Brother Joseph. They being come into Egypt, applied themselves to the Governor of the Land, (viz. Joseph, ) who it is like sold to the Natives by his Officers, but to Foreigners himself, because he would more particularly observe what Strangers came into the Land, and whether there was any likelihood of danger from them. Being come before him, they made a lowly Obeysance to Him, bowing themselves with their faces to the ground, and so unwittingly fulfilled his prophetic Dream, [Ch. 37.7, 8, 9.] of their Sheaves bowing down to His, which he could not but now call to mind. Joseph seeing them, presently knew them, though they knew not him, his Countenance ('tis like) in so long a time being much altered, and he appearing now in the habit and attire of a Nobleman, and splendidly attended, which they could not possibly imagine of him whom they had some years before sold for a Slave, and thought was dead long ago. But though He knew them, yet he made himself strange to them, and examined them strictly whence they came, and spake roughly and harshly to them, and charged them to be Spies that were come to see the nakedness of the Land, and to mark what parts of it were least defended. But they humbly answered, Nay, my Lord, we are true men; we are no Spies, neither ought we (being so many of a Company) to give thee any jealousy; for we are Brethren. We were once twelve Brethren, the Sons of one man in the Land of Canaan; The youngest is this day with our Father, and one is dead, and the rest of us are come hither on no other design but only to buy Food. If our Father had intended to have sent Spies hither, He would not have adventured so many of his Sons together on such a Design. Joseph said unto them, By this I shall prove whither ye be true men, and not Spies. You say you have another Brother at Home, If you have, one of you shall go and fetch him hither, that I may see him, and I will keep the rest of you in Prison till he comes, and thereby I shall know that ye are true men, and do not lie unto me. But if ye have not, and so have deceived me, as sure as Pharaoh lives ye are Spies, and shall be dealt with accordingly. Hereupon He put them all in Ward for three days. When they were thus shut up, they began to speak one to another, O we may now remember our cruel dealing with our Brother Joseph: we are verily guilty of his blood; We saw the anguish of his Soul when we were about to sell him, and how earnestly he beseeched us, and beg'd of us that we would not do it; but we would not hear him, nor listen to him; therefore hath God brought this Distress now upon us. Ah, woe and alas! We sold our Brother into Bondage, and now we ourselves are brought into Captivity. We would not hear him, and now the Governor of the Land will not hear us. We deluded our Father with a lie, and now we cannot be believed though we speak the truth. Thus their guilty Consciences, though they had lien still a long while, (about twenty years) yet now, like sleeping Mastiffs, awake, and fly upon them, so that they could not but attribute their present trouble to their former Sin. And to aggravate this their Crime, Reuben told them, They might remember how earnestly he spake to them, and besought them that they would not sin against the life of their Brother, but they would not hearken to him, and so now (says he) his blood is justly required by God at our hands. Joseph by some means overhearing this their Discourse among themselves, (though they little thought that He had been so near them, or if they had, they could not have imagined that He understood their Language, because he used to speak to them by an Interpreter, ) and being inwardly moved with this their sad acknowledgment of their Fault, and especially with Reuben 's sharp upbraiding them for it, his natural affection so overpowered him, that he was forced to go alone and give it vent in secret weeping. But that being over, on the third day he sends for them again, and tells them, If they would do what he now intended to require of them, they should save their lives, and not be taken for Spies. And He was a man that feared God, (see Neh. 5.15.) and therefore would be true and faithful in performing what he promised them. He tells them therefore, That He would detain one of them in Prison, and passing by Reuben (remembering how he had pleaded for him) He took Simeon his Fathers second Son (who was the eldest of those that were most virulently bent against him) and commanded him to be bound before their eyes, (intending possibly when they were gone to give him some more liberty); then he tells them, That he permitted the rest of them to go back to Canaan to carry Corn to relieve their Familes now distressed with scarcity and Famine. But this He peremptorily required of them, that they should bring down their youngest Brother with them when they came again, and then He should account them true and honest men; They humbly submit to what He enjoin'd them. Then He gives order that their Sacks should be filled with Corn, and that they should have such Provisions as were needful for their Journey. And he gave order to his Steward that he should privately put every man's money (which he received of them for their Corn) into his Sack; which possibly he did, fearing lest his Father might be in want, if he took their money: These things being done, they laded their Asses with their Corn and Provisions and departed, everyone of them (as 'tis probable) having several Asses laden, some with Bread-Corn, and some with Provender. As they journey'd, when they came to the Inn, one of them opened his Sack to give his Ass some Provender, and there he found the money which he had paid for his Corn: They seeing this, began to be in great apprehension and perplexity about it, suspecting some Plot laid for their ruin, or at least that some danger would come to their Brother Simeon hereby; and they said among themselves, What hath God done to us? For both by this accident and what had lately happened to them, they feared God was sorely displeased with them. When they came home to their Father Jacob, they told him what had happened to them in Egypt, and how roughly the Governor of the Land had handled them, and how he took them for Spies. But they told him they were true men, and were once twelve Brethren the Sons of one man; that their youngest Brother was now with their Father, and one was dead. And he told them by this he would discover whither they were true men or no. They should leave one of their number as an Hostage with him, and the rest of them should take Food for the Relief of their Families, and should bring down their youngest Brother to him that he might see him, and then he would deliver their other Brother to them, and they might Traffick in the Land. When they had acquainted their Father with these things, they went to empty their Sacks of the Corn that they had brought out of Egypt, and behold they found everyone his purse of money that he had paid for his Corn, in the mouth of one of his Sacks. When they saw this, both they and their Father were greatly afraid, apprehending they might upon this account be accused of Theft, or Cheating. But old Jacob hearing that his dear Son Benjamin must go down into Egypt, could not forbear expressing a great grief and resentment thereat. What (says He) will ye thus bereave me of my Children? you know your Brother Joseph was lost long ago, and now I look upon Simeon as in a manner lost also, it being very doubtful whither He will ever get out of Prison again; and will ye now take away from me my dear Benjamin also? woe and alas! all these things make against me, and how shall I be able to bear up under them? I cannot be content on any terms that my Son Benjamin should go down with you. Reuben said, If thou wilt permit him to go along with us, if I do not bring him safe to thee again, slay these my two Sons that are at present with me. By which passionate Speech he thought to induce his Father to believe that he had some reason for his so confident undertaking for Benjamin 's return. However Jacob was very still unwilling to it, alleging that Joseph was dead; and Benjamin was now the only Son of his Mother Rachel, and if he should suffer him to go along with them, and any mischief should befall him in the way, they would bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to the Grave.

Gen. 42. whole Chapter.

SECT. XL.

THe Famine continuing sore in the Land of Canaan, and they having almost spent the Corn and Provisions they had before brought out of Egypt, Jacob spake to his Sons to go down again thither to buy Food.

Judah told him, The Governor of the Country did solemnly protest to them they should not see his face except they brought their youngest Brother with them, and they durst not by any means go without him. Israel asked them, Why they would deal so ill by him as to tell the Governor of Egypt they had another Brother. They said, He examined them so strictly about their Kindred, as whither their Father was yet alive, and whither they had another Brother, &c. that they could not avoid telling him, little imagining that He would require they should bring him down to Him. Judah farther said, That in case his Father would let Benjamin go down with them, He would be Surety for him, of his hand He should require him, and if he brought him not safe again, he would forever bear the blame thereof. Therefore (says he) I beseech thee let him go down with us. For if thou hadst not staid us by thy unwillingness to part with Benjamin, we might have made a Second return with Corn by this time. Israel seeing there was no remedy, and that he had better adventure one to an uncertain danger, than cast the whole Family upon certain ruin, He consents that they should go and take Benjamin with them. And having had before experience of the efficacy of Presents, [Ch. 32.20.] He thought he would now also use prudent means, as subservient to God's Providence, for the preservation of his Children. And therefore appoints his Sons to carry a small Present of the best Fruits of the Land, viz. a little Balm, a little Honey, with a little Spice and Myrrh, and some Terebinthian-Nuts and Almonds, such as the scarcity of that time would afford; And like a just man, he charges them to carry double money with them, viz. the money that was brought back and found in their Sacks-mouth, and money for more Corn to be bought in Egypt. For (says he) it may possibly have happened through some oversight of the men that should have received the money, that it was thus returned in your Sacks; However mistake is no payment; the Corn becoming ours, the Money is theirs that sold it; therefore take it with you and restore it. And seeing it must be so, take your Brother Benjamin with you, and God Almighty give you favor with the Governor of Egypt, that he may deliver to you your Brother Simeon (whom he hath in Custody) and that you may bring both him and Benjamin back to me again. But however it shall fall out, I will dispose myself to bear it patiently, and submit to the Providence of God therein. [See Ester 4.16.] And the Sons of Jacob did as their Father commanded, and went down into Egypt a second time. And being come thither, they presented themselves before Joseph as he was going about some Affairs of State, who seeing Benjamin with them, ordered they should attend Him at his House at Noon, and then spake privately to the Steward of his House to go home to make provision for them, for he intended these men should Dine with him that day. The Steward accordingly brings them to his Masters house at Noon. But they it seems knew not that they should be there entertained at Dinner, and kindly treated, but contrarily conceived they should be secured in the House, and charged with, and punished for the money carried back, and that he would thereupon take occasion to seize upon them, and take them for Bondmen, and seize upon their Asses also: And accordingly being come to the door of the House, before they entered, they began to make their excuse and apology to the Steward about the money that was returned in their Sacks, protesting their innocence therein, and that they knew not how or by whom it was put into their Sacks; but however it came about, they had (as became honest men) brought it back again, and there had it ready to pay unto him. But the Steward (who it seems was a Proselyte, and instructed in the true Religion and Worship of God by his Master ) said, Peace be unto you; fear not, Your God, and the God of your Father hath given you Treasure in your Sacks; that is, you are to attribute it to the Providence of God, that you found that money in your Sacks. As for me, I am sure I had your money; I acknowledge the Receipt of it, there was no fraud nor deceit in you as to that matter. Then He brought out (to their great joy) their Brother Simeon to them, who had been there detained as a Prisoner. And bringing them in to his Masters house, he gave them water that they might wash their Feet, to cleanse and refresh them (according to the custom of those hot Countries, see Ch. 18. v. 4. and Ch. 24. v. 32.) He ordered also that their Asses should have Provender given to them. These things being done, they made ready the Present they had brought with them from their own Country to present unto Joseph when he should come home. And by this time they understood they should eat there that day. When Joseph came in, they bowed themselves to the earth before him, and humbly tendered their Present to him. He then friendly asked them concerning their welfare, and whither the old Man their Father was yet alive, and they bowing down their Heads, and making an humble Obeysance to him, said, Thy Servant our Father is yet alive, and in good health. Then seeing his Brother Benjamin, He said, Is this your youngest Brother of whom ye spake to me? And they answered, Yes; He said, God be gracious to thee me Son. Then finding his Affections to be stirred, and his Bowels to yern upon his Brother Benjamin, he withdrew himself to his Chamber, there to give vent unto his passion in secret. When that was over, he washed his face and went to them again, and commanded his Servants to bring in dinner. They accordingly first furnish a Table for him apart, as became a Vice-Roy, 2ly, another for his eleven Brethren. A third for such Egyptians and Persons of Quality of that Nation that were to dine in the same Room with him, though not at the same Table. For the Egyptians would not eat bread with the Hebrews, it being an abomination to them so to do; because the Hebrews were known to be keepers of Sheep, and so to kill and sacrifice such Cattle as the Egyptians worshipped. See Gen. 46.34. Every Shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians. And Exod. 8.26. And Moses said, it is not meet so to do; For we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians unto the Lord our God. And they sat down at the Table everyone according to his age and seniority, looking upon one another with some amazement; and marvailing that the Governor of Egypt should show them now so great favor, who had not long before treated them so roughly. Then He sent portions or Messes from his own Table to them (according to the custom and manner of those times and that place ) but to Benjamin he sent five times as much as to any of them; which possibly He did, not only to testify his singular affection to him, but also to make trial whither his Brethren would envy him for it. And so they drank and were merry together, though in a decent and sober manner.

Gen. 43. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLI.

THen Joseph commanded his Steward to fill their Sacks with Corn, and to give them as much as they could carry, and privately gave him order to put every man's money in his Sack, and over and above that to put his own Silver Cup, wherein he used to drink, into the Sack of the youngest. And this possibly He did to try how they stood affected to his Father, and to his Brother Benjamin; conceiving that if they envied Benjamin as formerly they envy'd Him, they would be glad to see him apprehended for Theft, and cast into Prison. This being done, early in the morning they began their Journey homeward. But they were not gone far out of the City before Joseph 's Steward follows after them and overtakes them, and then begins to expostulate highly with them, and upbraid them, that they had so ill requited his Master for his great kindness to them. He charges them that they had stolen his Masters silver Cup, in which he himself did drink, and by which he used to divine, and discover and foretell secret and hidden things. The men were strangely surprised and amazed at this unexpected Charge, and said to him, God forbid that thy Servants should be found such manner of men as thou accusest us to be. Thou knowest we brought again the money which we found in our Sacks when we came home. And therefore surely we cannot with any reason be supposed to be men that would steal ought from thy Master. We are so well assured of our innocence in this matter, that let us all be searched, and if thy Masters Cup be found among us, let him with whom it is found die for it, and all the rest of us will be thy Masters Bondmen. The Steward replies, He would not deal so rigorously with them, but according to their own offer he would search them, and He only with whom the Cup was found should be his Servant, the rest should be blameless. Hereupon immediately they all took down their Sacks, and the Steward searched them all, beginning at the eldest and so going on to the youngest, viz. Benjamin; And in his Sack the Cup was found. When they saw that they rent their Clothes, and in great horror and amazement loded their Asses again and returned back into the City. Then Judah and his Brethren came to Joseph, and fell before him on the ground. He asks them why they had served Him so? Did they not think that such a man as He could discover them? Judah answered, What shall we say to my Lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? For how innocent soever we think ourselves as to this matter, yet we can no way clear ourselves before man, and therefore must acknowledge that God is just in punishing us for our former Sins, Gen. 42.21, 22. We have therefore no more to say, but that we are all my Lord's Bondmen, both he with whom the Cup was found, and all the rest of us also. Nay, says Joseph, That shall not be. He only with whom the Cup was found shall be my Bondman; as for the rest of you go to your Father in peace. Then Judah approached near to him, and said, O my Lord let thy Servant without offense speak a few words privately to thee, and let not thine anger burn against thy Servant. Thou art even as Pharaoh, being Second to him in Authority, and so thine anger to be dread'd even as His. My Lord may please to remember that when we came first down into Egypt, thou didst ask thy Servants, Have ye a Father living, or any other Brother. And we said unto my Lord, We have a Father an old man, and a Brother that is but a Youth, born to our Father in his old age. His only Brother both by Father and Mother is dead, and he alone is left of his Mothers Off-spring, and his Father tenderly loveth him. And thou saidst unto thy Servants, Bring him down that I may see him. We then told my Lord that the lad could not leave his Father without extreme danger to his Fathers life; and thou toldst us peremptorily, That except our youngest Brother came down with us, we should see thy Face no more. And behold when we came unto thy Servant our Father, we told him the words of my Lord. And he was extreme unwilling to let our youngest Brother come down with us. Yet afterwards, the Famine pressing sore upon us, He commanded us to go down again into Egypt to buy Food. We told him we durst not go again except our youngest Brother went down with us. He said, Ye know that my wife Rachel (first in my choice, and dearest in my love,) bare me two Sons. The Eldest went out from me when he was about seventeen years of age, and as it seems was torn in pieces of wild Beasts. [See Ch. 37.33.] So that I saw him no more. And if ye take this Son also from me, and mischief befall him, you will bring my gray head with sorrow to the Grave. I thy Servant engaged myself to my Father for the bringing the lad safe home to him again. I told him, I would be surety for him, and of my hands he should require him, Ch. 43.8, 9. Now therefore when thy Servants shall come back to our Father, and he shall perceive that the lad is not with us, (his life being bound up in the lads life) it will surely be his death, and so thy Servants shall bring down the gray head of our Father with sorrow to the Grave. Seeing therefore I thy Servant stand engaged to my Father for the lad, accept I pray thee of me for thy Bondam instead of the lad, and let the lad go up with his Brethren. For I dare not look my Father again in the face, except the lad be with me; nor can I endure to see the woe and misery that will befall my Father if the lad be left behind.

Gen. 44. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLII.

JOseph 's heart was so melted with this pathetic Speech of Judah, that He was able to refrain no longer, but commanding all besides his Brethren to withdraw, He gave vent to his passion, and bursting out into tears, and weeping aloud, He told them, He was Joseph their Brother, and asked them, Whether his Father was yet alive? They were so astonished and amazed at the strangeness and unexpectedness of the thing, and so terrifi'd with the remembrance of their own guiltiness and trespass against him, that they could not answer him a word. He bids them come near him, and tells them again, He was Joseph their Brother, whom they had sold into Egypt. He bids them not disquiet, or be vexed at themselves for what was done, but look up to the Providence of God who had turned their Sin to so much good. For (says he) God did send me hither before you, that I might be a means in this sore Famine to preserve your lives, and that you may be saved in this general Calamity, and to preserve your Posterity, that they may remain after you. For there are five years more of the Famine to come, wherein there shall be neither Ploughing nor Sowing, Earing nor Harvest. Therefore it was not you that sent me hither, but God, and He hath made me a Father to Pharaoh, that is, His Principal Counselor of State, and I have the Supreme guidance and direction of all his Affairs, and by my Advice Pharaoh yields himself to be guided as a Son does by his Fathers; having made me Ruler over all his House, and over all the Land of Egypt under Himself. Go up therefore to my Father, and tell him, That Joseph his Son is yet alive, and that God hath made him Lord of all Egypt, and tell him, That I desire him to come down speedily to me, both He and his Children, and his Children's Children, with their Flocks and Herds, and all that they have, and they shall live in that fruitful part of Egypt called Goshen, a Province abounding with Pastures, and so most commodious for them that deal in Cattle. And so they shall be near me, and there I will maintain and nourish them, that they perish not in the five succeeding years of Famine. A do not doubt but I will really perform what I say to you; for the eyes of you all do see that it is my own mouth that speaketh these things to you in your own Language, and not by an Interpreter. And you shall go and tell my Father of all this Glory and Splendor you have seen Me to be in, that He may hasten down to me. Then He fell upon his Brother Benjamin 's Neck and kissed him, and wept over him, and Benjamin wept upon his Neck, through the exuberance of joy, that they should see one another after so long an absence. Then He kissed all the rest of his Brethren and wept upon them, transported with the affection that so flowed in Him. When his Brethren had a little recovered themselves from their amazing astonishment and fear, and were satisfied that This was indeed their Brother Joseph, and that He had a cordial and hearty affection for them; they began to cheer up and to speak somewhat more freely and familiarly with him of all things that He asked them. The News of this interview and meeting quickly spread itself in Pharaoh 's Court, [see verse. 2.] and Pharaoh and his Courtiers were highly pleased with it; his Nobles not envying but heartily honoring Joseph. Then Pharaoh called for Joseph, and commanded him to order his Brethren to lade their Beasts with Corn, and to make hast home to their Father, and to invite Him from Himself to come down speedily with his Family into Egypt, and He would give them of the good things of the Land, and they should eat of the fat of it. Pharaoh further said unto Him, Seeing thou hast full Authority and Commission from Me to do it, Say to thy Brethren, Take ye Waggons out of the Land of Egypt for your Father, your Wives and your Children, and come and dwell here; And let it not be grievous to you to leave some of your Household-stuff or lumber behind you, (which you may not be able to put off in this time of dearth to the full value and worth) for the best and most fruitful part of the Land should be yours, Ch. 47.6. And Joseph 's Brethren did as He had ordered them, and He gave them Waggons (as Pharaoh had commanded) and Provisions for their Journey. Then he gave to them all Changes of Raiment (probably two a piece) such as were used to be given for Honor or Reward, [see 2 Kings 5.23. Judge. 14.12.] but unto his Brother Benjamin he gave 300 pieces of silver, and five Changes of Raiment. And to his Father he sent a noble Present, viz. Ten Asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten She-Asses laden with Corn and such Provisions as would keep, for his Fathers use in the Journey. Then kindly dismissing his Brethen, he gave them this solemn Charge, See that ye fall not out by the way, viz. about your selling of me, or anything else. They return with all this Furniture to Canaan, and when they came to their Father, they tell him in a great transport of joy, Our Brother Joseph is alive, and Governor of all the Land of Egypt. Jacob hearing them mention his Son Joseph (who he thought had been dead above 20 years before) with the sudden astonishing News of his being alive, his heart fainted, and he was ready to swoon away; For he could not believe it to be true, it seemed to him so incredible. But when they had related matters more particularly to Him, and the words Joseph Himself had spoken to them, and when He saw the Waggons that were sent by Joseph to convey him into Egypt, His spirits began to revive, and He said, It is enough, abundantly enough for me that my Son Joseph is yet alive. I will go down and see him before I die.

Ch. 45. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLIII.

JAcob being at this time in the 130 year of his Age, and having prepared himself for this great Journey, He, with his whole Family, now set forth for Egypt; And coming to Beersheba, (which was the South-border of the Land of Canaan, Ch. 21.31.) he there offers Sacrifices to God, whom his Father Isaac did solemnly adore and worship, thereby testifying his steadfast Faith in the Promises of God, and his thankfulness for all his Mercies; and particularly for the good tidings of his dear Son Joseph 's being alive; humbly praying unto the Lord for Counsel and Direction for his Blessing, and Protection, in this his Journey. The Lord was pleased to answer him, and to speak to him in the Visions of the Night, viz. by some kind of Dream; And calling him twice by his name Jacob, (to make him mind it the more) He says, I am God the God of thy Fathers: fear not to go down into Egypt; I will there make of thee (which I have not promised thee before) a great Nation. I will go down with thee, and will guide and conduct thee; and will assuredly bring thee up again; that is, thy dead body shall be brought out of Egypt, and buried in the Land of Canaan, and I will afterwards bring thy Posterity out of that Land. And he further tells him, That his Son Joseph should close his eyes, and so he should die in peace, in Joseph 's life time, and presence, and in the presence of his other Children. Jacob having received this Encouragement from the Lord, with his Sons, and their Wives, and their Children, travailed towards Egypt; They taking with them their Cattle, and the Goods they had got in the Land of Canaan. Their Names, and number, are carefully set down here, and elsewhere by Moses. 1. That he might show God's wonderful Power, and Mercy, in multiplying the Seed of Abraham, as he had promised. 2. To distinguish the Tribes, in regard of the Royal Dignity and Priesthood. 3. To show the descent of the Messiah, according to the Flesh. All the Souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, viz. that came out of his Loins, were 66, [ verse. 26.] But if we reckon in himself, and Joseph, and his two Sons, they were altogether (when in Egypt ) 70 Souls, as we read Deut. 10.22. Thy Father went down into Egypt, with threescore and ten Persons. The Septuagint have added five more, 1 Chron. 7.14. Namely the five Grandchildren that were born to Joseph in Egypt; to wit, Shutelah, and Tachon, (the Sons of his Son Ephraim) and Hadan, the Son of Shutelah, [Numb. 26.36.] And Machir the Son of Manasseh, and Gilead, Manasseh 's Grandchild, 1 Chron. 7.14. Which reckoning the Evangelist Luke follows, and reckons them in all, seventy five Persons. Jacob being now come into some part of the Land of Egypt, he sent his Son Judah to Joseph, to give him notice thereof, and to entreat Him to direct his face; that is, to give him directions how he should set his face, and whether he should next march. Joseph hearing of his being come, forthwith gave Command, that his Chariot should be made ready, and so he hasted to meet, and wait upon his Father. When he was come to the place where Jacob was, with a lowly Reverence he presented himself to him; Jacob fell on his Neck and kissed Him, and wept with tears of Joy and Ravishment to see his dear Joseph alive, who he thought had been dead many years before. And now says the good old man, I am willing to die, having seen the face of my beloved Joseph in the Land of the living. When these endearing Caresses were over, and Joseph had stayed a convenient time with his Father, and Brethren, he told them he would go and acquaint Pharaoh that they were come: and would intimate to Him, that their Trade had been about Cattle, and that they had brought their Flocks and their Herds along with them. Thus we see that Joseph in all his height and greatness was not ashamed of his Kindred, nor of their mean Trade and Condition. Joseph also gave Instructions to his Brethren, that when they came before Pharaoh, and he should inquire, What their Occupation was, they should say, Thy Servants Trade hath been about Cattle from our Youth, to this day. And this, he intimates, would be a means to dispose and incline Pharaoh to order their dwelling in the Land of Goshen, which was a fruitful Pasture-Country. And further 'tis like he told them, that by their living there together they would be less in danger of being corrupted with the Idolatry and Superstition of the Egyptians, and less offensive to them by their Trade of Shepherdy; Every Shepherd (as the Hebrews generally were) being an abomination to the Egyptians, on the account before mentioned, Sect. 39.

Gen. 46. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLIV.

JOseph being come to Pharaoh, he acquaints him, That his Father, and his Brethren were come into Egypt; that their Occupation and Trade being about Cattle, they had brought their Flocks and Herds with them, and for the present they were ia the Land of Goshen, and whether they should stay there, or how they should be disposed of, he humbly desires to know his Majesty's Pleasure. Then he presents five of his Brethren to Pharaoh, who inquiring of what Profession they were, They said, Thy Servants are Shepherds, both we, and our Fathers; and the Famine being sore in Canaan, we had no Pasture there for our Flocks, and so have brought them hither. Wherefore, we humbly beseech thee, Let thy Servants dwell in the Land of Goshen. Pharaoh turning unto Joseph, told him, That the Land of Egypt was before him; In the best of the Land he might place his Father and his Brethren, and if they liked the Land of Goshen better than any other, they might freely dwell there. And understanding they were Shepherds, he gives order to Joseph, that if any among them were men of activity, he should make them Rulers over his own Cattle. Shortly after Joseph brought his Father, and presented him before Pharaoh. The good old man, having made his lowly Reverence to the King, began to bless him, praying the God of Heaven, to accumulate all manner of Mercies and Blessings upon him, who had been so munificently bountiful to his Son Joseph, and so kind and gracious to him and the rest of his Children. Pharaoh then asked Jacob, How old he was? He humbly answered, That the years of his Pilgrimage were an hundred and thirty. Few and evil (says he) have they days of the years of my life been; and full of labor and toil, trouble and vexation; neither have I attained to the years of my Fathers. And many more things 'tis like He said to Him, not here related, and so humbly took his leave of Him. And as He had blessed Pharaoh at his first coming to Him, so He does now again at his departure from Him. When Jacob was gone from the presence of Pharaoh, Joseph gave to his Father and his Brethren Habitations in the best part of the Land of Egypt, viz. in Goshen, where afterwards their Posterity built the City Rameses, Exod. 1.11. And Joseph nourished his Father, and all his Fathers Family with bread, and other necessaries, expressing all manner of love and kindness to them, and a very great Care of them.

Gen. 47. from 1. to 13.

SECT. XLV.

THe Famine now grew very sore in the Land of Egypt, and in the Land of Canaan also, so that there was an extreme want of all kind of sustenance, especially among the common people, who were forced (generally) to part with all the money they Had to buy Corn for themselves, and their Families, of Joseph. These monies Joseph faithfully disposed into the Kings Treasury, not enriching Himself thereby, nor converting any part of them to his own use, as some unfaithful Courtiers would have done. When the Peoples money failed, Joseph required they should bring their Cattle to Him, and He would give them Corn for them. And so for this year He fed them with Bread for their Cattle, which He could maintain by the vast quantities of Straw and Chaff He had preserved. When that year was ended (which seems to be the sixth year of the Famine, and second of their extremity ) they came to Him again, viz. in the seventh and last year of the Famine, and told Him, they had parted with their Money and their Cattle, they had now nothing left but their Persons and their Lands, and why should they die, and their Land become barren, wast, and desolate. They desire him therefore to buy them and their Land for Food, and for Seed to sow their Land with: and they themselves would become Servants, and their Lands should be tributary to Pharaoh. So Joseph bought their Lands for Pharaoh 's use. Then he transplanted them from one Place or Town to another, not leaving them in that which was their own before, to gain the right of Propriety and Possession, from the People, to Pharaoh. The people mutiny not in all these Extremities, nor break open the Granaries of Pharaoh, but by Joseph 's Prudence, and God's over-ruling Providence, keep themselves quiet. But the Lands assigned for the maintenance of the Priests, or such as were employed about their public Heathenish Worship, or were Professors, or Teachers of Philosophy, or of the Wisdom and natural Knowledge that then had the Vogue among them, he bought not. For though those Lands, in that extreme Dearth, failed of producing anything, as other Lands did, yet those Priests having a Portion assigned to them out of the Kings Stores, were not necessitated to sell their Lands, as others were that had no such Provision. Then Joseph told the People, he had now bought them, and their Land for Pharaoh. But he would deal mercifully with them, and not make his utmost Advantage of their Necessity. He would therefore furnish them with Seed wherewith to sow their Land, and of the increase, they should pay only the fifth part to Pharaoh: the other four parts should be their own. And it is probable, he restored to them their Cattle also, else how could they have tilled their Land. This being granted them, with a great Acclamation they applaud his Generosity and Beneficence, declaring, That he had saved their lives; and seeing they had found so much favor in his Eyes, they would willingly serve Pharaoh, and be his Farmers and Tenants, on those conditions before mentioned. Joseph hereupon settled it for a Law and Statute in Egypt, (which remained still in force among them, when this was written,) That the Land should be all the King's own (excepting the Land of the Priests) and that the People should pay a fifth part, of the yearly Increase constantly to him, as a Tribute and Acknowledgment. And thus Joseph shown himself a Prudent, Faithful, and very profitable Servant to Pharaoh, by so greatly increasing his Revenue, and without the Regret or Murmuring of the People; so that Pharaoh had no reason to think much of those Lands and Possessions he had given to Joseph 's Brethren in Goshen.

Thus Jacob dwelt very comfortably in the Land of Goshen, He and his Sons having Possessions therein; and they grew and multiplied exceedingly. And Jacob lived after his first settlement there seventeen years, so that his whole Age was 147 years. The time of his Death now drawing nigh, which he perceived, either by the decay of Nature in him, or some Revelation from God, he sent for his Son Joseph, and desired him, as he loved him, to swear to him, by putting his hand under his Thigh, (see Ch. 24. 2.) that he would not bury him in Egypt, but carry him and bury him in Canaan with his Fathers, Abraham and Isaac, in their burying place, in the Cave of Macpelah, in Hebron, see Ch. 23. 19. and 25. 8. and 35 29. Whereby he testifi'd his Faith in God's Promises, that his Seed should return thither, and possess that Land. Joseph swears to him, that he would perform his desire. Then Jacob raising himself up, and turning himself towards his Beds-head, (and to help himself herein, possibly leaning upon the top of his Staff, which he had in his hand, (see Heb. 11.21.) he bowed himself to God by way of Thankfulness, both for those Promises of the Land of Cannaan (in the expectation whereof he desired there to be buried) as also because he was assured by Joseph he should be buried there.

Gen. 47. from verse. 13. to the end.

SECT. XLVI.

SOmetime after this Joseph heard that his Father was sick, and he went to visit him, taking his two Sons Manasseh and Ephraim along with him, to receive the Blessing of their venerable Grandfather. When Israel heard He was come, he raised up himself, and sat upon the Bed, as if a new degree of strength had been added to him. Then He spake to his Son Joseph after this manner, God Almighty appeared to me some years since at Luz, in the Land of Canaan, and blessed me, saying, Behold I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and will make of thee a multitude of People, and will give this Land to thy Seed after thee for an everlasting Possession. The Lord was pleased there to renew and confirm to me the Blessing promised to my Father and Grandfather, which is to go on still, and to descend on our Posterity. And therefore thy two Sons Ephraim and Manasseh, though by Birth they are only my Grandchildren, yet by Adoption shall be my Sons, and accordingly in the division of the Promised Land, they shall have the Privilege of my Sons. Each of them shall have a Twelfth share, and they shall be Heads of Tribes no less than Reuben and Simeon, and in them Two thou shalt have a double portion, and so the Right and Privilege of the First-born, 1 Chron. 5.1. And if thou shalt beget any Sons after them, they shall be thine; that is, they shall be counted thy Off-spring, and accordingly shall be engrafted into the Stock and Tribe of Ephraim or Manasseh, as if they were their Sons, and not their Brethren, and shall not make peculiar Tribes by themselves as these Two shall do. Neither will any of thy Brothers have cause to complain that I give thee this Privilege of the First-born. For had I been fairly dealt with, thy dear Mother Rachel had been my only Wife, and so thou (being her eldest Son ) hadst had that Right unquestionably. And now I have mentioned thy dear Mother, I cannot but remember with grief how soon she was taken from me, she dying in Child-bed of thy Brother Benjamin (Ch. 35.16, 19.) in the Land of Canaan near Bethlehem-Ephratah, as we came from Padan-Aram. And she dying in that manner, Her body could not well be kept, so that I was forced to bury her there, and could not carry her to the Sepulcher of our Ancestors, where I myself desire to be buried. Then Israel, whose Eyes were dim, perceiving two young Youths to stand before him, but not knowing them, he asked, Who these were? Joseph answered, They are my Sons whom God hath given me in this Place. Jacob said, Bring them to me, and I will bless them; that is, I will in the Name, and by the Authority of God declare how He will bless them; and this Blessing I will confirm to them, by laying my Hands upon them. They being brought to him, and kneeling down between his knees, He kissed them and embraced them, saying to Joseph, I had not thought to see thy Face, and loe God hath shown me thy Seed also. Then Joseph took his two Sons from between his Fathers knees, that he might place them in that order wherein he desired the Blessing should be given them. And taking Ephraim in his right hand opposite to his Fathers left hand, and Manasseh in his left hand opposite to his Fathers right hand, and bowing himself before him in token of Reverence and Thankfulness for adopting his Sons, he presented them unto him. Jacob thereupon stretched out his right hand and laid it upon Ephraim 's head who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh 's head who was the elder, and he did it wittingly (not crossing his Arms by chance) but purposely, as a sign and intimation of that which afterwards should come to pass; to wit, that Ephraim, though the younger, should have the preeminence. Joseph seeing this, though he knew that his Father, in this action, was guided by a Prophetick Spirit, yet supposing he might be mistaken in this Circumstance of laying his hands, by reason of the dimness of his sight, he sought to rectify his supposed Error, by removing his right hand from Ephraim 's head to Manasseh 's, (being carried therein as 'tis probable by that natural affection that Fathers use to bear to their eldest Sons) and accordingly told him, That Manasseh was the First-born, and therefore he desired him to lay his right hand on him. But Jacob refused to do it, telling him, He knew very very well what he did. For though Manasseh should be great, yet his younger Brother should be greater than he, and his Seed should become a multitude of Nations. Then Jacob solemnly blessed Joseph and his Children, saying, The God before whom my Fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk in Uprightness and Integrity, The God which fed me all my life long to this day, The Angel of the Covenant, the Son God, who hath hitherto preserved and delivered me from all Evil, Bless the Lads, and let my Name be named on them, and the Names of my Fathers Abraham and Isaac; that is, let them be accounted and called Abraham 's, Isaac 's, and Jacob 's Children; let them be esteemed among the Twelve Tribes of Israel as my own immediate Issue, and let them grow into a Multitude in the midst of the Earth. Jacob having thus blessed these young Youths, he addressed his Speech to Joseph, saying, In thee shall Israel bless; that is, when the Children of Israel shall bless their Children, they shall look upon thee and thy Children as their Pattern, and shall say to them, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh. Then Israel said to Joseph, Behold I die, and am ready to go hence, but God will be with you, and will assuredly bring your Posterity into the Land promised to their Fathers, and wherein they sometime dwelt. And as a Sign and Token that I do firmly believe this, I do give and bequeath to thee (and therein do prefer thee above thy Brethren) that piece of Land nigh unto Shechem, which I bought of the Children of Hamor, Shechem 's Father, (see Sect. 30. and Gen. 33.19.) which though it be little in itself, yet was all I had by purchase in the Land of Canaan; and therefore to thee I bequeath it as my Heir. This piece of Land was indeed seized upon, among the rest, by the Neighbouring Amorites after the slaughter of the Shechemites, and they would not by fair means restore it to me, so that I was forced to recover it by the assistance of my Sons and Servants out of their hands by force of Arms. Therefore I do still account it as my own, and do know assuredly, that hereafter it shall become the Inheritance of the Off-spring of the Ephraimites, Josh. 16.10.

Ch. 48. whole Chapter.

SECT. XLVII.

JAcob now being hear his end, commanded that his Sons should come all together to him, that he might by the Spirit of Prophesy bless them, and tell them what should be their future State, and what should betide them in their succeeding Generations. And first he speaks to Reuben: He tells him, he was his First-born, and the beginning and first effort of his strength, [ Deut. 21.17. Psal. 105.36.] and on that account in the ordinary course of Nature many honorable Privileges belonged to him; As headship of the Family, and a double portion to maintain that Dignity, and the Priesthood. But it must now be otherwise with him by reason of his heinous Sin and detestable Incest in going up to his Fathers Bed, and defiling Bilhah his Concubine, Gen. 35.22. Now the Headship of the Family should be translated to Joseph, who should have a double portion, and his two Sons should be Heads of two Tribes. The Priesthood should be conferred on Levi, and the Kingdom principally on Judah, and partly on Ephraim, viz. the Kingdom of the ten Tribes. He tells him, His Lust had been like an impetuous stream of water that cannot easily be kept within its own bounds, but violently breaks the banks that should restrain it, and keep it in; His Lust had broke through all restraints of duty and modesty, and therefore he should not excel; that is, his Tribe should not excel either in number, valor, or any excellent Atchievements. So that this wicked Fact done above forty years ago (soon after the birth of Benjamin ) is here severely doomed, and that to humble Reuben for his Sin, and to teach his Brethren to take heed of all such high provoking Transgressions against God.

2ly, He comes to Simeon and Levi, who he says are Brethren (and that not only by Birth, being Children of the same Father and Mother) but in Manners, Conditions, and wicked Practices. They were Instruments of great Cruelty in the Land of their Sojourning upon the Shechemites, [Gen. 34.13, 25.] where, being Strangers, they endangered the ruin of themselves and their Fathers House. Then by a pathetical Apostrophe he shows his detestation of their outrageous Fact, and clears himself of all suspicion of his favoring of it, and prevents all Aspersions which otherwise after his death might possibly have been cast upon him for it. O my Soul (says he) come not thou into their secret; as if he should have said, God forbid that ever my Soul should join in such a Villany. They did it secretly, without my knowledge, and when they assembled together to contrive the execution of it, I was not among them, neither did my Soul or my Tongue ( both which are man's glory) ever give any consent or approbation to that barbarous Fact. For in their wrath they slew Hamor and Shechem, and the Citizens of their City, and in their rage and willfulness they dig'd down a Wall, viz. of Shechem 's house (where their Sister was kept) to rescue her out of their hands. He pronounces their anger to be detestable, which was so cruel and violent, and which had like to have been the Ruin of him and his. Then speaking in the Person of God (as Prophets used sometimes to do) He says, He will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. And accordingly it happened. For Simeon was not planted apart by himself as the other Tribes were, but his Tribe had their Inheritance intermixed with that of Judah, Josh. 19.1. And the Tribe of Levi was dispersed among all the Tribes of Israel.

3ly, He comes to Judah. He tells him as his Name signified Praise, [Ch. 29.35.] so his Tribe should be renowned and praised, and should be famous and eminent among the rest, not only in regard of external Power and Government, but much more because out of him the Messias should come, [Heb. 7.14. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah.] He tells him, His hand shall be in the Neck of his Enemies, that is, He should Conquer and subdue them. This Prophesy of the prevailing power of Judah was fulfilled, when that Tribe became the Leader, [Numb. 10.14. & 7.11, 12. Judge. 1.2. & 20.18.] As also in those Worthies of this Tribe, Othniel, Jud. 3.9, 10. David, 2 Sam. 8.1. Solomon, 1 Chron. 22.9. But more eminently in Christ, who hath vanquished all the Powers of Darkness. He goes on, Thy Fathers Children shall bow down before thee, whereby he intimates, that his Posterity shall be advanced to the Sovereignty, and to a Regal Power, to which all the Israelites should sumbit. Yet this was more fully to be accomplished in the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ, to whom every knee shall bow, Phil. 2.10. He further adds, Judah is a Lions Whelp; whereby he intimates the mighty strength and courage of this Tribe, and how terrible they should be to their Eenemies, and how great and glorious their Conquests. He further adds, For the Prey, my Son, thou art gone up. that is, having taken the Prey, thou shalt go up to thy Habitation in a triumphant manner. He stooped down, he couched. Here He varies the person as the Prophetick Spirit moved him, sometime speaking as to his Son, and sometimes of him. And as a Lion is the King of Beasts, and flies upon other Beasts, and tears them in pieces, and returning from his Prey, coucheth down, and lieth at rest, and none dare disquiet him, or offer to rouse him, and take his Prey from him; so should Judah 's Kings Conquer, and subdue their Enemies, and then returning with Victory should quietly and peaceably enjoy their Spoils and Conquests. See Numb. 23.24. But this is more especially verified in Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; Rev. 5.5. He further declares, That the Scepter shall not depart from Judah, that is, from the Nation and Kingdom of the Jews (so denominated from Judah ) which became a Kingdom apart by itself, after the ten Tribes were separated from them; and although there were some of the Tribe of Levi and of Benjamin mixed among them, and incorporated into them, yet the people were called by the name of Judah, [the Kingdom and Commonwealth of Judah] and there was a Government still in Judah, whereas the ten Tribes, after they were carried away Captive into Assyria, did never return to be a Kingdom again, but those of Judah, after 70 years Captivity, did return into their own Land, and became a Kingdom and Commonwealth (though not so glorious as before) and did live under the Government of their own Laws, and Command of their own Rulers. He further adds, That there should not cease to be a Lawgiver between Judah's feet, [see Deut. 28.57.] that is, of the Seed and Progeny of some belonging to that Kingdom till Shilo come; that is, the Prosperer and Prince of Peace, the promised Messiah to whom, not only the believing Jews, but the Gentiles also shall come in as to their King, and submit themselves to his Scepter. Jacob further prophesieth of the wonderful fruitfulness of Judah 's lot in the Land of Canaan, (which was the best and largest that fell today of the Tribes) viz. that it should abound with Vines and rich Pastures, and that they should have such stout and well-grown Vines, that an Ass might be tied to them as to other Trees, and that they should have such plenty of Wine, that they might even wash their Garments in the juice of the Grape. Therefore He adds, Judah 's Eyes shall be red with Wine, and his Teeth white with Milk; whereby he signifies the fruitfulness of their Vineyards, and richness of their Pastures, insomuch that Wine and Milk should (in a manner) be as plentiful and common among them even as Water.

4ly, He comes to Zebulun, whom though younger than Issachar, yet he blesses before him, [so doth also