is there that does not find, (especially in more advanced life,) that the evil, on the whole, outweighs the good?
These hints, offered in so delicate a manner to a potent monarch, with whom he had only one short interview, afford a beautiful pattern for our imitation, at the same time that they convey important instruction to our minds.]
We conclude with commending to your imitation the whole of Jacob's conduct towards Pharaoh —
[At his first admission into Pharaoh's presence, and again at his departure from him, this holy patriarch blessed him. We do not suppose that he pronounced his benediction in a formal and authoritative manner, as Melchizedec did to Abraham ; but that he rendered him his most grateful acknow- ledgments for the favours he had conferred, and invoked the blessing of God upon him and upon his kingdom on account of them. Such a mode of testifying his gratitude became a servant of Jehovah, and tended to lead the monarch's thoughts to the contemplation of the only true God. And well may it put to shame the greater part of the Christian world, who systematically exclude religion from their social converse, under the idea that the introduction of it would destroy all the
comfort of society True Christians, however, should
learn from this instance not to be ashamed of their religion ; but, as inoffensively as possible, to lead men to the knowledge of it ; and to make the diffusion of it a very essential part of
all their intercourse with each other More especially
we should embrace every opportunity of impressing on our own minds and on the minds of others the true end of life; that we may thereby secure that rest which remaineth for us after our short but weary pilgrimage.]