AN ABRIDGEMENT OF THE BOOK OF JOB. EXTRACTS. THE book of Job (an eminent divine ob serves) is full of excellent instruction, impressed by forcible argument, sublime imagery and description, and affecting example. Itexbibits in an interesting history the vicissitudes of human affairs. It illustrates the vigilant care, and vindicates the rectitude of providence, and proves the propriety of resignation to the divine will. Through the whole of the book we discover religious instruction shining forth amidst the venerable simplicity of ancient manners; and it every where abounds with the noblest sentiments of piety, uttered with the spirit of inspired conviction. It is a work of great antiquity, perhaps the most ancient which remains on record. It is believed to have been written by Moses, when he dwelt with Jethro, king of Midian, to whose dominions he fled for protection, after he had slain the Egyptian, who was insulting, and abusing an Hebrew. This is probable from the very nature of the story, addressed to the Israelites in a state of oppression. In the character and situation of Job, is presented a great and good man suddenly involved in the deepest adversity. His friends, who came to condole with him, insinuate some uncharitable suspicions; and while they express many admirable remarks upon the dealings of providence, seem to have limited, and in some instances mistaken ideas of its economy. But the statements of Elihu, seconded by the declarations of the Almighty, silence the murmurings of the sufferer; and his conviction, penitence and humility, are recompensed by a restoration of his health and prosperity. In reviewing this story, with a design of drawing from it lessons of instruction, many pages teem with sentences that speak to the understanding and the heart: every incident and change of fortune have in them something monitory; and there is hardly a case in the ordinary course of human life, in which one may not advantageously consult the character of Job for advice. From his example the prosperous may learn a lesson of gratitude to God, and benevolence and charity to man; and the afflicted may be taught submission to the will of heaven, and to bear adversity with a tractable and patient spirit, assured that in the end God will vindicate all his dealings, and they will be fully convinced that trials and sufferings will work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. "Many parts of the story of Job (says a female writer) are obscure; but it is well worth studying, for the extreme beauty of the poetry, and for the noble and sublime devotion it contains. The subject of the dispute between Job and his pretended friends seems to be, whether the Providence of God distributes the rewards and punishments of this life in exact proportion to the merit or demerit of each individual. His antagonists suppose that it does; and therefore infer from Job's uncommon calamities, that, notwithstanding his apparent righteousness, he was in reality a grievous sinuer. They aggravate his supposed guilt, by the imputation of hy pocrisy, and call upon him to confess it, and to acknowledge the justice of his punishment. Job asserts his own innocence and virtue in the most pathetic manner, yet does not presume to accuse the Supreme Being of injustice during his sufferings, though, according to the narrative, almost every affliction which falls to the lot of mortal man embittered his life. His goods were taken away by robbers ; his body was smitten by loathsome and tormenting disease; his family were all cut off, and all his company made desolate by a sudden stroke from Heaven, his head was bare to every blast of adversity, and his heart bled with all the varieties of pain. In the course of his observations, be utters the genuine voice of sorrow, and pours forth his soul in lamentation and woe; he sets before us the evil day; he shews us the dark side of things, and presents to our view those shades in the picture of human life which must one day meet our eye :-At length: Elihu attempts to arbitrate the matter by alleging the impossibility that so frail and ignorant a creature as man should comprehend the ways of the Almighty; and therefore condemns the unjust and cruel inference the three friends had drawn from the sufferings of Job. He also blames Job for the presumption of acquitting. himself of all iniquity, since the best of men are not pure in the sight of God-but all have something to repent of; and he advises him to make this use of his afflictions. At last, by a bold figure of poetry, the Supreme Being himself is introduced, speaking from the whirlwind, and silencing them all by the most sublime display of his own power, magnifi. cence and wisdom, and of the comparativelittleness and ignorance of man. This indeed is the only conclusion of the argument, which could be drawn at a time when life and immortality were not yet brought to light. A fu... ture retribution is the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty arising from the sufferings of good people in this life." In the perusal of this short work, it will be obvious to the reader, that its abridgement was not designed for the well informed; but for the purpose of rendering it more familiar and impressive on the minds of those in immature age. CHAP. I. Begins with part of the History and Calamities of Job: "Idumean Job long liv'd in regal state, Nor saw the sumptuous Fast prince so great; 1. THERE was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; he was perfect and upright, one who feared God and avoided evil. 2. And there were born unto him seven sons, and three daughters. 3. He abounded also in wealth, consisting in numerous flocks and herds of cattle, and had a very large household, and was honoured as the greatest of all the men in the east. 4. And, at certain seasons, his sons, in their turns, kept a circular feast at their respective houses, and invited their sisters to meet with them on those social occasions. 5. And when the days of their feasting were ended, Job, as his custom was, called his children to the solemn exercises of reli, gion, sanctifying them, and offering burnt. offerings. 6. For, he said, it may be my children have sinned, and provoked the anger of the Almighty in the days of their festivity. 7. And on a day, when his children had |