under the influence of those divine truths, which were Job's consolation in all his af fictions.

The subjects to which we propose, through divine assistance, to direct your attention, are, I. The nature, variety, and severity of Job's calamities. II. The purposes of Providence in visiting a righteous man with such complicated trials. III. The pious considerations which supported his mind under the pressure of such a load of woes.

I. Direct your thoughts to the nature and severity of the tribulations of Job.

His trials began with the loss of all his wealth and property.

For a time, as appears from the first chapter, the Almighty had set a hedge around his person, his habitation, and all that he possessed; had blessed the labour of his hands, had increased his substance, and had made him greater than the men of the East.

But, after he had for years enjoyed the comforts of abundance, and the benevolent pleasure of relieving the needy, and all the

rational joys of prosperity well improved, in one eventful day, and in the most terrifying manner, his flocks are destroyed, his treasures are spoiled, his servants are carried into captivity by the Sabeans, and his pros. perous circumstances are suddenly changed into the cares, and wants, and woes of poverty.

His afflictions come with an accumulating force. Immediately after the loss of cattle, herds, and wealth, followed the bereavement of sons and daughters. They were ten in number; they were, as he himself styles them, his joy and crown; they grew up as olive plants around his table; they were settled in goodly habitations around him; and they lived together in prosperity and peace. They had, that very morning, presented themselves before the Lord, had offered sacrifices according to their number, and had received the pious blessing from Job, both as a father and a priest. Perhaps returning from the altar, at the close of these morning devotions, he was congratulating himself with the soothing thought, that the gracious God whom he worshipped would long spare to him these sweetest ob

jects

jects of his love and care.

Little prepared was his mind to receive mournful tidings concerning them ; still less prepared was he to part with any of his children. Often grieved at the violence of her who bare them, he seeks and finds relief under this sorrow, in the affection and the company of his sons and daughters; daily he cherishes the fond wish, that all of them may live to close his eyes in peace, to attend his dying bed, and receive his parting blessing. Sometimes, indeed, his heart trembles with secret fear, lest even one of them should be taken away :

O that it may not be this one, nor that one, nor any, for I know not which to resign! But if any one of my darling children is demanded, O may the bereavement not be sudden ! let me at least have the satisfaction of attending, and soothing, and comforting my dying child.

Such, no doubt, were sometimes the suggestions of this good man's mind; for his whole history represents him as possessing the tenderest feelings, and gentlest affections. What, then, must have been his amazement and anguish, when the hasty messenger, without any previous warning, informed this

fond

fond parent, that his oldest son's habitation had that day been destroyed, not by the rude attack of fierce Sabeans, but by the more immediate hand of Providence, by a mighty wind from the wilderness; that all his sons and daughters were buried in the ruins; and that not one of all their household had escaped, except himself alone, to carry the tidings of the direful calamity!

The severity of this trial needs no commentary. Ye who are sorrowing in bitterness of heart under some mournful bereavement, contemplate the total, sudden, and tremendous desolation of holy Job's once flourishing family; so shall your own hearts dictate the becoming reflection, What are our sorrows, when compared with the sorrows of that venerable and distinguished saint?

But a stranger to his history might here reply, Though Job is rendered childless by one direful stroke, and though he feels the trial in all its bitterness, still, perhaps, the valuable blessing of health is continued with him; still, though forlorn, his eyes may behold with admiration the glorious works of God, or his ears listen to the instructions

of

such means,

of heavenly wisdom, or his feet

carry

him to the sacred altar; still, may he not retain his rank and respect in society? may he not take his seat amongst the rulers of the land, as in former years, and feel joy in searching out the cause of the oppressed, and in pleading for the fatherless and widow ? Had this been his situation, he might, by

have endeavoured to mitigate the dejection of depressing sorrow.

But from his honours and his usefulness he was driven, with as much rapidity as from his other sources of comfort.

Satan was permitted to afflict his body with so painful and loathsome a distemper, as at once rendered him an abhorrence to all around him, and a burden to himself: Of the name and nature of this disease we are not informed, only we can learn, that it was attended with excruciating pain ; that his flesh was broken with sore boils, and his skin burned with heat; that he was full of tossings to the dawning of the day; and that a long succession of wearisome nights was appointed him.

The mournful consequences of being visited with this singular distemper, and of his