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revelation. Obscure indeed were the intimations given to these holy men; but yet they were such as to fill their hearts with blessed hope and joyful expectation. We know that "our father Abraham rejoiced to see the day of Christ, and he saw it and was glad;" and we, on whom that day has shone so brightly, are well able to observe many intimations of that great and infinite mercy to the world. In the first promise made to our fallen parents, in that which was given to Abraham, and renewed again and again to his descendants, in the offering

up of Isaac, and in the prophecy respecting Shiloh, we have evident intimations of Christ; while in the various appearances of the Angel of God, and in the wrestling with Jacob, we can see preparations for the bringing in of that marvellous and most merciful event, the incarnation of the divine Son. Oh ! that every portion of the sacred word as we read it may make us better acquainted with him, give us more striking views of his eternal love unto mankind, and endear him the more to our hearts. We may say of the

records of the book of Genesis even as St. John says of his gospel, "These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name." The Lord grant that we may indeed know him in his divine character and merciful office, believe in him to the saving of our souls, and love, honour, serve, and glorify him all the days of our lives.

SERMON IV.

THE BIRTH OF MOSES.

EXODUS I. 8.

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

THE name of this second book of Moses, on which we now enter, is Exodus, that is departure or going out. It takes its name from the going out of the Israelites from the land of Egypt, because that event is the principal subject of which it treats. Under the administration of Joseph, and by the favour of the sovereign, the descendants of Jacob increased much in numbers and wealth, and continued to multiply rapidly after Joseph's death. Although God had not yet given them the land which he had promised, yet he looked graciously upon them, and gave them great prosperity in the strange land,

where they were dwelling as the subjects of the king of another nation. Whether at home or abroad, in our native land or in far distant climes, if we have the favour of God with us, and himself for our portion, we may joyfully say, "The lines are fallen to us in a pleasant place; yea, we have a goodly heritage."

But the favour of the princes of Egypt changed into fear and hatred; and about sixty years after the death of Joseph, there began a series of oppressions and persecutions, for the purpose of diminishing their numbers and strength, which emphatically gave to their residence there the title of the house of bondage. What is this but an instance of those vicissitudes which are continually happening in earthly affairs both to individuals and nations? What an illustration is this of the Psalmist's admonition in

the hundred and forty-third psalm, "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." But he adds,

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Happy is he, that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Yes, brethren, the favour of the great ones of the earth is deceitful, and liable to change, and if they continue in their wish to protect and patronize, death often puts an end to all further expectations from them. But how safe and how happy is it to serve the king of heaven, the mighty and eternal God, who never resigns his sceptre to another, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning, a God of perfect wisdom and justice, of unspeakable kindness and grace, of infinite compassion and mercy! Yes, brethren, God has even all things to give which men of the world seek after, and if we "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things shall be added to us," in such measure and time as are for our good. But he has far better gifts than these to bestow, gifts of pardon and peace, of grace and holiness, of spiritual strength and heavenly consolation, and joy unspeakable and full of glory. And he has a heaven wherewith to crown the

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