to dread the wrath, either of God or man, let them call to mind the example before us ; and turn unto him, who has promised " that he will in no wise cast them out."]
2. There is no distress so great, but God is able and willing to deliver us from it —
[God has thousands of angels at his command, and has appointed them to " minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation1." These he orders to " encamp round about his people, and deliver themm." Let us then suppose ourselves as destitute as Jacob himself, having only the earth for our bed, a stone for our pillow, and no other canopy than the heavens ; still, a vision of God, with the ministry of his angels, shall render our situation both comfortable and happy; yea, shall make it appear to us as " the very house of God, the gate of heaven"." And such a confirmation will these " visions of the Almighty " give to our faith and hope, that we shall be fitted for all future trials, and be enabled to testify on God's behalf, that " he will never leave his people, till he has ful- filled to them his promises in their utmost extent0."]
1 Heb. i. 14. m Ps. xxxiv. 7. " ver. 17. ° ver. 15.
Gen. xxviii. 15. Behold, I am ivith thee, and tvill keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
THE study of profane history is exceeding pro- fitable, inasmuch as it brings us into an acquaintance with human nature in all its diversified forms, and thereby qualifies us to discharge all our own duties with more wisdom and propriety. But sacred history, besides that it sets before us incomparably brighter examples of virtue, has this peculiar advantage, that it brings God himself to our view, and exhibits him to us in all the dispensations of his providence and grace. The account which is here given us of his intercourse with Jacob, will serve to shew us, in a very striking point of view, in what manner he dispenses his favours. I. He bestows them sovereignly —