s to do. They leave the kingdom of Heaven to be sought,
after they have spent their lives in seeking the things of this world.
But the things of this world sought without God will not profit.

When Isaac set his sons to bring him venison, that he might bless them
and die, Jacob arrived first with the savoury meat; then Isaac lifted
up his voice and blessed his son; "God give thee of the dew of Heaven,
and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine." Afterwards
Esau came in with venison. And when he saw that his brother had
received the first blessing, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter
cry, and said unto his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father."
Then Isaac said to him, "Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of
the earth, and of the dew of Heaven from above." Each had the same,
the richness of golden harvests, the abundance of fruit, and the soft
dews and rains in their season. But there was a notable difference,
adapted to the characters of the two brothers. Esau was a profane man,
he disregarded divine things. He was ready to sell his birthright, his
privilege to be the forefather of Messiah, for a mess of pottage. He
cared not for God, neither was God in all his thoughts. It was
otherwise with Jacob, he regarded God, he sought God, he saw God in the
visions of the night, he strove with God in prayer. He had set God
always before him. And thus these several blessings were apportioned
to them. Esau had the fatness of the earth and the dew of Heaven,
Jacob also had the fatness of the earth and the dew of Heaven, but
Isaac said to Jacob alone "_God give thee_ all these things." To Esau
only "Thou shalt get for thyself all these things." God before all to
Jacob, and all these things added unto him. All these things to Esau,
and God nowhere.

CONCLUSION.--And now, my brethren, try to trust God more. Do not give
up all thought to the concerns of this life, but leave them somewhat on
the hands of God, whilst you consider the concerns of your soul. You
will not suffer for it. "If ye be willing and obedient, and seek the
kingdom of Heaven, He will nourish thee."

[1] "Quaerenda pecunia primum, virtus post nummos."

LIII.

_THE CONTEMPLATION OF DEATH._

16th Sunday after Trinity.

S. Luke vii. 12.

"Behold, there was a dead man carried out."

INTRODUCTION.--The name of the village where the miracle was wrought
which is recorded in this day's Gospel, was Nai