the mediation of his father, that so he might be reinstated in his natural rights. But we read not of any such endeavours : on the contrary, we are told, " He did eat and chink, and rose up, and went his way ; " so little did he value, or rather, so utterly did he " despise, his birthright." On this account is he stigmatized by the Apostle, as a profane person e: had he disregarded only temporal benefits, he had been guilty oifolhj ; but his contempt of spiritual blessings argued profanenessA
Jacob's conduct indeed in this matter was exceed- ing base : but Esau's was inexpressibly vile. Yet will he be found to have many followers, if we examine,
II. The analogy between his conduct and our own —
The birthright was typical of the Christian's portion —
[The true Christian has not indeed any temporal advan- tages similar to those enjoyed by right of primogeniture : but he is made an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ. He has a distinguished interest in the Saviour, and an indisputable title to the inheritance of heaven. And hence they who have attained the full possession of their inheritance are called, " The general assembly and Church of the first-born f."]
But the generality are like Esau, having,
1 . The same indifference about spiritual blessings —
[Some excuse may be offered for Esau, because he knew not what a Saviour, or what an inheritance, he despised. But we have had the Saviour fully revealed to us ; and know what a glorious place the heavenly Canaan is. . Yet too many of us- think as lightly of Christ and of heaven, as if neither he nor it were worth our attention: yea, we are ready at any time to barter them away for the most trifling gratification : and what is this, but to imitate the profaneness of Esau ?]
2. The same insatiable thirst after earthly and sensual indulgence —
[Though Esau pretended that he was near to die, it was only an excuse for his profane conduct ; for it cannot be con- ceived, but that, in the house of an opulent man like Isaac, there either was, or might easily be procured, something to satisfy the cravings of nature. But he was bent upon having his brother's pottage, whatever it might costg. And is it not
e Heb. xii. 16. f Heb. xii. 23.
s His extreme eagerness may be seen in his words, " Give me that red, red." Being captivated with the colour, he determined to get it, whatever it might be, and whatever it might cost : and from thence the name Edom, which signifies red, was given him. ver. 30.