presented his silent ejaculations to God, when Rebekah came, according to the custom of those times, to draw water ; and, on being requested to favour him with a draught of water, made the very reply which he had just specified as the sign that was to mark the divine appointment. And no sooner had she made the offer, than she set herself (though it was no inconsiderable labour) to perform it. Amazed at the merciful interposition of his God, he stood wondering, and adoring God for the mercy vouchsafed unto him : nor did he suffer any of the in- ferior servants to assist her ; that, by leaving her to complete the work alone, he might see more clearly the hand of God ordering and overruling the whole matter. When she had finished, he inquired her name and family : and finding that they were his master's nearest relations, he made her a present of some valuable ornaments ; and proposed, if her father could accommodate him, to spend the night at his house. She went home immediately to inform her friends, who came to the well, and invited him to return with them. Having brought him to their house, and shewn him the greatest hospitality, he refused to partake of any refreshment till he had made known to them the design of his coming. He then began to relate the wish of Abraham his master, the oath that he had imposed upon him, the prayer which he himself had silently offered to God, and the miraculous answer he had received to it ; in- forming them at the same time of the opulence of Abraham, and that Isaac, on whose behalf he was come, was to be his sole heir. Immediately they all agreed, that the matter pro- ceeded from the Lord ; and they testified their willingness to accede to the proposal. They wished however for a few days' delay; but the servant, having succeeded in the object of his mission, was impatient to be gone, and to deliver his master from the suspense in which he must of necessity have been kept. And Rebekah declaring her readiness to proceed with him, he took her and her nurse (after having given presents to all her relations, and thereby increased their esteem for his master), and brought her in safety to Isaac ; who gladly re- ceived her as a present from the Lord, and was thenceforth united to her with the most affectionate regard.
In all this transaction we cannot but admire, on the one hand, the wisdom, the zeal, and the piety of the servant ; and, on the other hand, the condescension and goodness of Jehovah. And though we are not warranted by this history to expect precisely the same interposition in our behalf, yet we are warranted to confide in God, and to expect his direction and blessing in all the things which we humbly commit to him.]
As a mere history, this is replete with instruction ; but it is still more so, if considered in,