“ Grant matter was eternal, still these orbs
would want some other father ; — much design
seen in all their motions, all their makes :
sign implies intelligence, and art;
That can’t be from themselves, or man ; that art
man scarce can comprehend, could man bestow ! ”

“ Esau sells his Birthright to Jacob.
After the happy consummating of Isaac's marriage with Rebekah, Abraham lived many years, till at length transported to that better and heavenly country; having spent one hundred and seventy-five years in the exercise of holy virtues and graces. God, after his death, multiplied his blessings on Isaac his son. But they had been twenty years married without having any children, when Isaac prayed the Lord for his wife's sake for children, and he was heard, and Rebekah was delivered of male twins. ”

“ As soon as he overtook them he reproached Jacob for stealing his daughters; and however right it might be to return to his country; it was very unjust to steal the idols. Jacob declared his ignorance of any such thing, whereupon Laban examined his whole effects, and at last enters Rachel's tent; but before his coming she hid them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them; and desired her father not to take it ill that she did not rise, as she was unwell. Laban, forced to return without them, made a covenant with Jacob, after which they lovingly took leave of each other. ”

“ The Divine oracle stated that the elder should serve the younger. When these two children were grown up, Jacob, the youngest, on a time sod lentil pottage, and Esau, returning from hunting, extremely hungry, with greediness desired, this pottage, which Jacob perceiving, would not part with it till he had promised to sell him his birthright in consideration thereof, to which Esa
Isaac blessing Jacob instead of Esau
Esau having sold Jacob his birthright, Rebekah, who had a tender love for Jacob, ratified the right by a holy piece of craft. ”

“ See what pains he takes with Jonah, to
convince him that it was very fit that Nineveh
should be spared. Jonah had said, I do well to be
merciful and proves it; and it is a
great encouragement to poor sinners to hope that
they shall find mercy with him; that he is so really
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to justify himself in showing mercy, And to triumph
all those whom he makes the monuments of it, against
those who is evil because he is good ”

“ Jonah’s head at Nineveh : Jerome says, it was a
small shrub, which, in the sandy places of Canaan,
grows up in a few days to a considerable height, and
with its large leaves forms an agreeable shade. ”