CHAP. XV.

Contains Job's reply-prosecutes his arguments by taking a retrospective view of his past life -explains with firmness and perspicuity his. motives to action; and refers his plea to his Maker, &c.

CHAP. XVI.

Contains Elihu's address to his seniors, disapproving Job's justifying himself,-blames them for their silence, and observes the impulse he laboured under to give his thoughts vent, &c.

CHAP. XVII.

Contains further remarks of Elihu to Job, tendering his advice,-and shews the folly and wickedness of tyranny and oppression. CHAP. XVIII.

Contains further observations from Elihu to Job, in vindication of the ways of God to man,— solicits his candid attention by several engaging motives.

CHAP. XIX.

Job upon conviction, humbles himself for many rash expressions while under the afflicting hand of Providence, and makes penitential acknowledgments.

CHAP. XX.

His friends reproved for their uncharitable censures in the controversy with him, and are directed to make atonement for their offences. His restoration to superior prosperity to what he enjoyed previous to his misfortunes.

262

266

267

269

271

272

PART OF THE

PREFACE TO THE BOOK OF JOB,

PARAPHRASED.

BY THOMAS SCOTT.

THE Poem presents to us the shades of an illustrious character; a great and good man, in the depth of adversity, reduced to despair, and complaining loudly of the ways of God. His three most intimate friends, who came to condole with him, very early insinuate their uncharitable suspicions: and afterwards openly accuse him of atrocious wickedness, as the cause of his afflictions. Accordingly they exhort him to repentance, which a wicked man needeth, as the only means of his restoration. By thus defending the honour of Providence at their friend's expense, they exasperate his distress, inflame his passions, and hurry him into blameable excesses in the justification of himself, and in expostulations with his Maker about the reasons of his sufferings. He is, however, by wiser management in the hands of Elihu, gradually recovered to a becoming temper; and at last acknowledgeth bis fault to the Almighty, in the fullest terms of contrition and self-abasement; with this complete confession the poem is closed, and the design accomplished. The moral of such a poem, formed on the plan of discontent with the measures of Providence, and the issue of that discontent in submission to them, is too obvious to stand in want of explanation. The majesty and sublimity of this di

vine composition have been admired by writers of the first rank in genius, taste, and learning; as the language is very old Hebrew; and the manners of those of the earliest ages. One observes, that it particularly excels in conciseness, force, and fulness of expression, in masterly painting, both of the violent and tender passions, in moving representations of human life, great powers of description, and the simplicity of its theology and ethics.

ERRATA.

Chapter II. Sec. 1. last line, for "Fortune," read Torture and Sec. II. page 228, 3d line from top, for "stung," read strung. Chapter VI. page 241, 15th line from top, for "whom," read whose.

PARAPHRASE.

CHAPTER I.

SECTION 1.-Job's Character, Wealth, and Riches.
There liv'd an Arab of distinguished fame
In Idumean Uz; and Job his name:
Of spotless manners, with a soul sincere,
Evil his hate, and God alone his fear.
Seven sons his patriarchal sway rever'd,

His household cares three beauteous daughters cheer'd,
His flocks in thousands brows'd, his camels fed
In thousands; o'er his fertile pastures spread.
In beeves, and beasts of more ignoble strain,
In rural magazines, and rustic train,
His mighty opulence no rival found
Among the princes of Arabia's bound,
On the glad season of each natal day

Sweet friendship call'd, the brother friends obey:
With earth's best gifts the festal board was blest,
And each fair sister came a bidden guest.
Oft as these rounds of social joy expir'd,
The pious father holy rites requir'd ;
By due ablutions cleans'd, the filial band
For solemn sacrifice around him stand :
When, rising with the morn, the priestly sire
Dispos'd the atonement on the hallow'd fire.
For every child a costly victim blaz'd,
For every child a fervid pray'r he raised
"Forgive my children's sin, all gracious Power
"If aught displeas'd thee in their mirthful hour:
"If some loose moment's gaiety of heart
"E'er said to piety and God, depart."

SEC. 2.-His Misfortunes.

"Twas on the birth-day of his elder son,
The kindred met, the banquet was begun.-
When, lo, a servant, breathless, pale with fear,
Bare heavy tidings to his master's ear:
Thy asses graz'd, thy heifers turn'd the soil,
Sabean robbers flew upon the spoil:

Thy faithful slaves lie slaughter'd on the plain,
I, only I, to bring the tale remain.
Him interrupt another's doleful cries:

The fire of God was darted from the skies,
The flocks and shepherds are consum'd alone,
I, wretch, survive, to make the mischief known.
A third; The Chaldees, in a triple band,
Have fore'd the camels to a foreign land.
I only from their cruel swords have fled,
To speak their loss and how the herdsmen bled.
Worse message follow'd, follow'd close behind,
The bearer's look spoke horror in his mind:
Thy first born son, his brethren, sisters all
Were met, and feasting in his friendly hall:
When rushing from the wild, a wheeling blast
Full on the house, all ways its fury cast:
Thy children smother'd, in the ruin fell,
I only live the fatal blow to tell.

SEC. 3. His Resignation..

THEN Job arose; and father now no more,
He lopt his flowing hair, his robe he tore :
Prone to the dust he bow'd his rev'rent head,
And, worshipping, with humblest accents said:
Peace every murmur, naked into birth

We came, and naked shall return to earth.
The Lord in bounty gave, but gave in trust,
The Lord resumes; resuming, not unjust