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restrained by the power of the Almighty ; his stratagems are over-ruled for good, and they will at last issue in the honour of God, in the triumphs of the faithful, and in the everlasting confusion of the tempter.

This naturally carries forward our meditations to the second thing proposed in the method ; namely, to enquire into the causes, consequences, and advantages of Job's singular trials and calamities, with respect to himself, to mankind in general, and especially to the believing children of God, through all succeeding ages; or, in other words, it reminds us of that important question, which this man, who was sorely afflicted, addresses to the God of glory whom he worshipped : “ Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me?"

The illustration of this part of the subject will furnish matter for our meditation, in the following discourse from this text.

May the Lord of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, and of Job, bless what has been said; and to his name be all the glory. Amen.

SERMON

SERMON V.

THE TRIALS OF JOB, AND HIS CONSOLATIONS

UNDER THEM.

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We now proceed to inquire, what are the causes assigned in the sacred volume, why an unerring and righteous God permitted so great and so good a man as Job to be so singularly afflicted.

That afflictions spring not from the dust, and that they cannot come upon us without the divine permission, is the uniform sentiment of all who believe in the providence of God, and is mentioned with peculiar emphasis by Eliphaz, in the fifth chapter of this book; yet even Eliphaz himself, and his companions, perverted this sentiment, ,

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so peculiarly adapted to give consolation to the mind of Job, and thereby greatly increased the griefs of his heart. They urged, with all the violence of argument, that a just and holy God never afflicted the truly righteous; that all calamities are the punishments of sin secretly allowed, or freely indulged in; and that therefore even Job himself, notwithstanding all his professions of piety, must have been living in the transgression of the divine commandments, else he would not have been so sorely afflicted.

To rectify this dangerous mistake; to shew that whom the Lord loves he chastens; and to remind us, that the best of men may expect tribulation in this world; seem evidently among the important purposes, for which Moses was directed and inspired to write this history of Job. Yet, alas! regardless of these truths, the enemies of revelation lay hold on this acknowledged fact as an argument against religion; that its highest attainments cannot exempt the godly from calamities; that while the wicked prosper, the righteous are poor and afflicted; that many are the sorrows of the just; and

that

that they are often more tried than other

-men.

Bat; though all this be readily admitted, it furnishes no just cause of triumph to sinners. They also have their afflictions, while they are destitute of the consolations which true religion imparts. Besides this, God is glorified through the afflictions of his children, and their best interests are promoted. His power is glorified in supporting such feeble, tempted, helpless creatures, amidst so many snares and trials; his holiness is glorified in sanctifying their tribulations, and in rendering these trials productive of increasing patience, experience, and hope. Finally, his faithfulness is glorified, in being with them in passing through the floods of adversity.

As God is glorified by the afflictions of his people, so their own souls are thereby profited. Hence says the prophet, “ In the day of adversity, consider * ;” and when they do so, their spiritual profiting appears to all. In those adverse seasons, they turn their attention inward upon themselves ;

they

F

Eocles, vü. 14.

they consider their real state and character ; they examine, without partiality, their personal interest in the privileges of the children of God; and daily give themselves to supplication and prayer, that the power of sin may be diminished, the Saviour endear

, ed, the world crucified, and their longing increased for that heavenly state, where the days of their mourning shall be for ever ended, their tears of sorrow turned into songs of praise, and their trials on earth exchanged for the joys of everlasting life.

These introductory remarks on this second head of discourse, may be sufficient to convince you, that the afflictions of saints can furnish no apology, either for irreligion, or for unbelief.

But it may be useful to remark more particularly, some of the reasons assigned in scripture, why a holy and gracious God visited his servant Job with trials so numerous and so severe.

The three following include what might have been branched out into many particulars. 1. Job's trials were designed and calcu

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