upon Joseph; but it was the occasion of a great trial and a sad reverse of fortune to him. This is one of the first of the many instances which the present history affords of the great purity of Joseph's mind and excellence of his character. After relating how much Joseph was trusted by Potiphar, the sacred writer tells us, "it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, Lie with me." Deeply sinful as this was on the part of his mistress—and it was a temptation that required strong religious principles in a young man, in Joseph's position, to resist—Joseph did resist it; and not only did he refuse compliance with the solicitations of his mistress, but he expressed the greatest abhorrence at her sinful proposal. His words on that occasion deserve to be printed in letters of gold; but, what is far more important, should be imprinted on every heart, especially on the heart of every young man. "He refused, and said unto his master's wife. How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" This was not all he said to his shameless enticer; he
