and despair!' Not so.

He believed in an

Almighty and merciful God; he believed in his promise, "I will do thee good." However his faith was at that time not sufficiently strong to enable him to say, " Though a host should encamp against me, I will not be afraid"—or to think and say with calmness, 'God who enjoined Laban to speak no otherwise than kindly to me, is still the same, and is able and willing to turn the heart of Esau in such a manner, that he shall be unable to act cruelly towards me, seeing that God hath promised, that in my descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.' Could he have acted thus, how glorious would it have been! But this was not in accordance with his previous state of grace. He was afraid, because his reason still reflected too much, and looked more at the things which are seen, than at those which are not seen. But his faith was the victory which overcame the world. This faith softened his heart, so that he wept, as Hosea says; and much is already gained, when we acquire a contrite spirit, and when the hard heart dissolves. His faith opened his mind and his heart; so that he was able to pray, as Hosea also informs us. His

faith took refuge with God. What! shall God work a miracle? How miserable, to be only able to oppose prayer to four hundred armed men! Certainly this is not rational, but still it is of faith. And to the believer are given all the promises of a living God, who overrules all natural and accidental events according to His good pleasure.

It was thus he wrestled with men, in the most prudent manner, by taking God to his aid against them; for if God be for us, who can be against us? And oh, how evangelically wise we all act, when we commence our spiritual conflict—not in our own wisdom and strength, but draw the Lord himself, by faith and prayer, into the conflict; he will then fight for us, whilst we shall hold our peace. If we go out to the

battle without God; if we think that in our own wisdom and strength we are sufficiently equipped-we should act as foolishly, as if Jacob had believed that he alone was able to face four hundred men ; and that which we think we have accomplished, is only self-deception. But with God, it might be all one to Jacob, whether his brother came out against him with four hundred or four thousand men. For he that with

out Christ can do nothing, with him can do all things; and it is the same to the Lord, to help with many or with few.

Thus Jacob wrestled, like a prince, against men. He did not despair on account of the might and multitude of those who were against him, and looked not at his littleness and inability. Nor did he trust to the fragile staff of his own strength, which indeed he was unable to do; for it was broken. Reason showed him nothing but ruin and death, and nature was 'afraid, but faith helped him through. By its means, he honoured God as able to help, where there is no other aid; and although he did not understand by what means, yet he left this with God's all comprehensive wisdom. He said,

Wilt thou not do it, Lord? I know no other measure, and can do nothing more, and see myself compelled to resign myself to thee and thy good pleasure, with all that are mine, and what thou hast otherwise given me. Do with me, therefore, as seemeth thee good.'

Nature, indeed, trembles, when it feels compelled to seek help of God, because it is no where else to be found, and is more inclined to fear its total ruin, than to expect help and deli

verance. But the Holy Spirit here turns the scale. He holds the soul fast, so that it declares, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me!" This is the real inward conflict and travailing in birth, during which the soul cries to God, out of the depth of its distress, and then ascends on high, when the time arrives. This is in reality no trifle, and it may be said with Solomon, "A wounded spirit, who can bear!" But these are, at the same time, paths which terminate in the desired end:-" The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad."

"Thou hast had power with men, and hast prevailed," said the Lord to Israel. He came off more easily with Laban. He fled, and pru

dently took advantage of the absence of his father-in-law, as the fittest moment for his flight. However, that he might not ascribe all the success to his prudence, Laban ascertained his flight early enough to hasten after him. He did so, and took with him his brethren; which however did not betray the most friendly intentions towards Jacob, and overtook him on the seventh day. But God came to Jacob's aid, by a dream, in which he turned the heart of Laban

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in such a manner, that he was not permitted to do him any harm, but only spoke harshly to him; and at length retired, after taking a friendly leave. Jacob, in this instance, came off easily, and with a slight degree of terror; for God usually leads his people step by step, and exercises those whom he calls to severer conflicts, previously in easier ones. For a period, they are able by their own strength and reflection to accomplish much: but at length both go to the bottom. Waves cover the little vessel, and the cry is heard, Master save! we perish!' and then the help is near at hand.

Such was also the case with Jacob. After the departure of Laban, he was greatly comforted, and received a powerful invigoration to his faith; for he was met by the angels of God. This circumstance was highly remarkable and encouraging; and because the art of writing was at that time not understood, he called the place where it happened, Mahanaim,' the Lord's host for when he saw the angels of God, he said, "This is God's host." This afterwards assisted him in his conflict. If any one is delivered out of six troubles, he cherishes the hope that in the seventh he shall not be for