per on other
occasions, spake his mind very freely to him: "That it did not become
him to be afraid on account of his son, nor to suspect the worst, as he
did; for nothing could be done to his son but by the appointment of God,
which must also for certain come to pass, though he were at home with
him; that he ought not to condemn them to such manifest destruction; nor
deprive them of that plenty of food they might have from Pharaoh, by his
unreasonable fear about his son Benjamin, but ought to take care of
the preservation of Symeon, lest, by attempting to hinder Benjamin's
journey, Symeon should perish. He exhorted him to trust God for him; and
said he would either bring his son back to him safe, or, together with
his, lose his own life." So that Jacob was at length persuaded, and
delivered Benjamin to them, with the price of the corn doubled; he also
sent presents to Joseph of the fruits of the land of Canaan, balsam
and rosin, as also turpentine and honey. [8] Now their father shed many
tears at the departure of his sons, as well as themselves. His concern
was, that he might receive them back again safe after their journey; and
their concern was, that they might find their father well, and no way
afflicted with grief for them. And this lamentation lasted a whole day;
so that the old man was at last tired with grief, and staid behind; but
they went on their way for Egypt, endeavoring to mitigate their
grief for their present misfortunes, with the hopes of better success
hereafter.

6. As soon as they came into Egypt, they were brought down to Joseph:
but here no small fear disturbed them, lest they should be accused about
the price of the corn, as if they had cheated Joseph. They then made a
long apology to Joseph's steward; and told him, that when they came home
they found the money in their sacks, and that they had now brought it
along with them. He said he did not know what they meant: so they were
delivered from that fear. And when he had loosed Symeon, and put him
into a handsome habit, he suffered him to be with his brethren; at which
time Joseph came from his attendance on the king. So they offered him
their presents; and upon his putting the question to them about their
father, they answered that they found him well. He also, upon his
discovery that Benjamin was alive, asked whether this was their younger
brother; for he had seen him. Whereupon they said he was: he replied,
that the God over all was his protec