HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-15.-Dctrkness turned into light. Joseph'e re,elation of himself to hie brethren in the atmosphere of the purest brotherly affection and grateful acknowledgment of Divine goodness. Only small natures are ashamed of tears. At first the men who had a great sin upon their consciences were only troubled at the presence of their injured brother, but soon the free and full manifestation of hi~ love turns all their fears into rejoicing. Joseph wept for joy at their return to him, and they were henceforth his brethren indeed. Although for a time we carry the burden of our sins and feel their weight, even though we believe that they are for- given, still as God reveals himself to us and surrounds us more and more with the embrace of hie love, we lose the constraint of our painful remembrance, ar.d rejoice "'ith all our hearts in present peace and future glory.-R. Ver. 3.-The great ann<ntncement. Not a stranger, bnt a brother. Yet they were slow to receive comfort from it. The fact beyond all expectation ; the suspicion of the un- known ruler attaching itself to the newly-found brother; the remembrance of their own former cruelty; the doubt whether indeed the past were forgiven, combinnd to make them "troubled at his presence." Akin to this is the slowness with which the great revelation of the gospel is received, our adoption as sons (Gal. iv. 5) through our brotherhood with Christ; members of Christ, and thus children of God. Not the doctrine, for we are familiar with its terms, but the practical reception of it. The gospel preached is II good-will to men;" the foundation on which it rests is the work whereby the eternal Son became our brother nnd representative (2 Cor. v. 1!). The means of appropriation, belief that God has indeed done this thing for us (Matt. xi. 28). Yet even to those who are longing for peace nnd sulvation the message often seems to bring no real comfort. The truth of the doctrine is admitted, but Jesus is not recognised as a personal, present Saviour. There is n feeling that something not declared lies behind ; that there is some unexplained II if," some condition to be fulfilled, some part of the work to be done, ere it can bo safe to trust. Conscious of sin, they do not fully receive the offer as made to them such as they are. The fact is, men often want to begin at the wrong end ; to make some worthy offering to God ere they have it to give (c£. 1 Chron. xxix. 14; 1 Cor. iv. 7); want to gather fruit ere the tree is planted; to build a spiritual house ere the foundution is laid. I. Goo's OFFER PRECEDES FAITH. The gospel proclaims a fact-Christ crucilied for us, the fnlfilment of Isa. !iii. 5. Its primary message is not of something to follow our faith, but of thnt on which our faith rests. 'l'he II foundation" of spiritual life is not our belief but Christ's work (1 Cor. iii. 11), But in practice many seem to regard the right to trust in Christ's work ns depending on their being in a fitting state of mind. And thus their mind is turned nway from Christ to theil' own stato ( cf. Matt. xiv. 30). No doubt there must be a conviction of need ere the Saviour can be welcomed (Matt. ix. 12). But the evidence of that conviction is not our feelings \Jut laying our burdon upon the Lord, II. Goo's OFFER MUST DE RECEIVED DY FAITH-thnt is, it must be accepted as it is made; not something else put in its place. GQd's 1nessago is, Trust in Chriet, Oli:N ES!~, J, i. _ 498 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [OH, XLV, 16-28,
To do this is to exercise faith. But the answer often is, I must first see whether I have faith. It is as if when our Lord bade the impotent arise, he had answered, I must fo-st feel that I have the power. Faith depends not on accurate knowledge. The gospel is for the ignorant; and what it claims is that we receive it according to the measure of our knowledge, guided by those means of instruction which we possess. III. GoD's OFFER IS TO MAKE us WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE, Christ accepted, trusted, is made unto us wisdom, &c. (1 Cor. i. 30). Faith leads to more communion with Christ. The Bible becomes a living voice instead of a dead letter. Channels of l--nowledge are opened, and daily increasing powers are given where the will is to be really Christ's (John vi. 68).-M.
Ver. 5.-Providence. "Now therefore be not g·rieved," &c. I. THE END IS GOOD- NESS AND MERCY. 1. To preserve life. 2. To set the seed of the better society in the midst of the corruptions and imperfections of the old, 3. To prepare the way for the higher revelations of the future. II. GoD'S METHOD OF INSTRUMENTALITIES HIS GLORY. 1. The history of hie people, their persecutions, their apparent humiliations, their marvellous victories. 2. The transformation of men, whereby enemies are made friends, &c. 3. The biographies of distinguished servants of God illustrate his grace in bestowing fitness for appointed work. 111. MYSTERIES LOOKED AT FROM A HIGHER POINT OB' VIEW BECOME REVELATIONS. 1. Time a great revealer. Wait for the Lord. 2. The narrow circle of a family history taken up into the higher sphere of Divine purposes concerning nations and humanity itseli 3. Ultimate vindication of the spiritual men and spiritual principles e.s against the merely earthly and selfish aims of individuals or communities.-R.