soul;" and now "arrayed in vestures of fine linen, as ruler over all the land of Egypt, wearing the gold chain and riding in the second chariot of Pharaoh, whilst they cried before him, Bow the knee:"-this illustrious Patriarch appears to have uniformly maintained the same virtuous character, and to verify the observation of the Egyptian Monarch, that it were difficult to "find such an one as this is, a man in whom is the Spirit of God."

The observation of Pharaoh indeed was limited to a single feature in the character of Joseph. His interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams, and his salutary advice with respect to the necessary provision for meeting the approaching exigence, filled the king with a high opinion of his wisdom and discretion; qualities, which he attributed with a discernment, remarkable in a Heathen sovereign, to the inspiration of God. The inspired writers refer us to the same divine Being as the source of every human excellence; and attribute all our approaches towards moral or intellectual perfection to his benign influence. "The

a

fruit of the Spirit," saith St. Paul, “is in all goodness, and righteousness and truth and the same Apostle elsewhere tells us, that whatever be our "wisdom" and our

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knowledge," they are "all the work of that one and the self-same Spirit "."

I shall consider the words of Pharaoh then as describing the character of Joseph in a more enlarged sense than that, which they were originally intended to bear: and shall endeavour to give you a distinct view of the several features of his character, in the several relations, wherein it is presented by Moses, in order to draw from the examination the general inference, that he was "a man, in whom was the Spirit of God."

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I. The love of God is "the first and great commandment:" nor can it be said, that the Spirit of God is in that man, who is not actuated by the love of God. Here then we have a leading criterion, by which to estimate the character of Joseph.

Eph. v. 9.

1 Cor. xii. 11.

C

Matt. xxii. 38.

1. He, who loves God, will" do all to the glory of God";" whatever good works he may have grace to do, he will do them with a view to promote the glory of his heavenly Father. Such was the piety of Joseph. When called upon to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh, he replied, "It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." And he had previously ascribed his skill in divination to its allwise Giver, when he prefaced his explanation of the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker, by telling them that “interpretations belonged to God."

2. He, who loves God, will believe in his superintending and directing Providence, and will be assured that "all things will work together for good to them who love hime." Such was the faith of Joseph. "As for you, ye thought evil against me," was his language to his brethren, in allusion to their selling him for a slave: “but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people

alive. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God."

3. He, who loves God, will "humble himself under his mighty hand," and receive afflictions as the wholesome corrections of a father, who "loveth the son that he chasteneth"." Such was the resignation of Joseph. When sold by his brethren as a bond-servant, he conducted himself with such submission to the will of God, that "the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man; and found grace in the sight of his master, who saw that the Lord was with him." When imprisoned in return for his fidelity to his master, and in consequence of an injurious accusation, "the Lord was with Joseph," doubtless because he bore his chastening rod with devout submission; "and showed him. mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison; who looked not to any thing that was under his hand, because the Lord was with him: and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper."

4. He, who loves God, will praise him for all his mercies, and will esteem every blessing, which he enjoys, as the gift of God. Such was the gratitude of Joseph. The station of dignity to which he was raised by being made governor of the land of Egypt, did not withdraw his mind from the Author and Giver of all good things: "God, saith he, hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." In the enjoyment of domestic comfort and delight, his thoughts were not estranged from the heavenly Father of all. As he presented his two sons to Jacob, his earthly parent," they are my sons," said he, "whom God hath given me in this place.”

5. He, who "loves God," will "keep his commandments h" Such was the obedience of Joseph. "I fear God," was his declaration on one occasion; and his fear operated as it should do; it prevented him from disobeying and displeasing God. Accordingly when he was tempted to defile

1 John v. 2, 3.