LET. become the inftruments of carrying XIII. into execution the counfels of God; yet are they not hereby juftified in the ufe of fuch means. All the actions of holy men of old, related in Scripture, are not to be deemed blameless, because related in Scripture, or because related of them; though there may often have been circumftances, imperfectly known at this diftance of time, which rendered them lefs blameable than they now appear to be; and therefore they are not to be judged of, without great caution and circumfpection. Thefe, perhaps, are in no inftances more neceffary, for that reason, to be observed, than in reviewing thofe parts of facred ftory, which relate to the birthright and bleffing of the ancient patriarchs. Ibid. Ibid." Could this benevolent and juft Being approve of the ungenerous advantage which Jacob took over his faint and hungry brother?" That the crime of Efau, in being fo ready to part with his birthright, was of a more atrocious nature than at first fight it may seem to have been, is evident from the remark fubjoined in the narrative; "thus Efau defpifed his birthright;" as alfo from his being ftigmatized by St Paul with an epithet denoting profaneness, and impiety, qualities which were therefore manifefted in the act of lightly and wantonly parting with the birthright, and those high and heavenly privileges annexed to it-I fay, lightly and wantonly; because, though he returned faint and hungry from the field, there could be no danger of his starving in N 4 his LET. XIII. XIII. LET. his father's houfe. He parted with it, as men often do now, for the fake of gratifying a liquorish appetite towards that which was his brother's," for "one morfel of meat," one particular dish, which he vehemently affected. There was no reason why a privilege thus rejected fhould be again conferred. Like the Jews, in an instance fomewhat fimilar, he " judged him"felf unworthy." He caft it from him, and it became another's-With regard to the part borne by Jacob, in buying what Efau was thus ready to fell, there feems no neceffity for pronouncing him faultlefs. The fact is related like many others, without approbation or cenfure; and the defigns of God were accomplished by the free agency of man. To his own mafter he standeth or falleth, respecting this and every other action of his life. Ibid. Ibid."Could this omnipotent and "upright Spirit adopt no method of diftinguishing his favourite Jacob, "but that of fraud and lies, by which "he deprived the fame unfufpecting "brother of his father's bleffing?" The following confiderations may affift in directing us to form a right judgment of this matter. 1. The propofition of deceiving Ifaac originated not with Jacob, but with Rebekah. Jacob remonstrated against it, as likely to bring a curfe upon him, rather than a bleffing; nor would confent to perform his part, till the engaged to take all the blame on herself-" On me be thy curse, "my fon; only obey my voice." 2. From this fpeech, and from the earnestness and folicitude discovered by Rebekah, it may not unfairly be prefumed, LET. XIII. LET. prefumed, that fhe had some special XIII. reafon for what fhe did; that Ifaac was about to take a wrong ftep in a concern of great moment, which ought to be prevented, and could be prevented by no other means. 3. The rectitude of Rebekah's judgment feems evidently to have been recognized and allowed by Ifaac, at the conclufion of the matter. For though he had bleffed Jacob, intending to bless Efau, yet, as if recollecting himself, he confirmed and ratified that bleffing in the strongest terms; "Yea, and "he fhall be bleffed." Still fartherat fending him away, he again repeated the benediction, in the most folemn and affecting manner; "God "give thee the bleffing of Abraham!" It is hard to affign any other reason, why, if fo difpofed, upon discovering the |