yea, he had power over the Angel, and prevailed. Gods appearing as a partie doth not portend a foile to the poor sinner who wrastles with him, though he be Omnipotent, and they weak. 5. God is therefore easie to be prevailed with, because his people have not to do with God, simply considered in himself, and in his distance from the creature, but with God in the Mediatour Christ; For, it is with the Angel (or Messenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1.) who is also God, that Jacob had to do, and therefore had power, and prevailed. 6. Supplications and prayers are the great pre∣vailing Ordinance with God in wrastling; For, thus did Jacob prevaile, he made supplication unto him, and thus did Christ leave us a paterne, Luke 22.44. 7. Such as wrestle with God by prayer, must have their heart broken and melted before God, and pres∣sed with their great need; For, it was Jacobs true magnanimity, that he wept and made supplication.
The third History, (wherein chiefly Gods mercy and graci∣ous bounty toward Jacob, appeared) is, Gods appearing to Ja∣cob at Bethel, first when he fled from his Fathers house, Gen. 28.11, 12, &c. and again after his trouble at Shechem, Gen. 35.1, 2, &c. At both which times God manifested his minde to him in things concerning not only himself, but his posterity, and namely, in making promises concerning the Church to come of him. Whence learn, 1. The Lord will finde, and be found of his people, when they are little expecting it, as, Gen. 28.16. and when they are in great distresse, as Jacob was by reason of the slaughter of the Shechemites, Gen. 34.3••. with 35.1. yea, and when they came to him after they have failed in duty, and for∣gotten their former vowes and obligations; as Jacob had forgotten his vowes made to God the first time, Gen. 28.20, 21, 22. till upon occasion of his distresse, God calls him to go again, Gen. 35.1. In these respects it is said, he found him in Bethel, which may be understood both of God, who prevented Jacob by a visi∣on the first time, and with a call the second time; and of Jacob, who found God there, when he sought unto him. 2. Gods comfortable interview and intercourse with his people, is by his Word, wherein he is to be sought and found; For, there he spake. 3. Gods manifestations and revealing of his minde of old, serves for the use of the Church in all ages; For, saith he, there he spake with us, as if they had been there present, because what was spoken concerned them. This was especially true in Jacobs case, to whom the promises were not personal only, but