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God and men; and likewise of their inward peace and joy, arising from the testimony of conscience, the witness of the spirit, and a well-grounded hope of future glory; in consequence of which they may now glory in tribulation.

"Hence he takes occasion to caution Christians against every thing that would wound their consciences, and defile their garments. He exhorts them to adopt Job's resolution, chap. xxvii. 6. To maintain purity of heart and life; that angelic robe which the world can neither strip off nor sully with its reproaches.

"Finally, this walking with Christ has respect to the heavenly glory of which his transfiguration was a type.

"Having told his hearers that it had been the great object of his labours among them, to bring them into this holy and happy state, he concludes thus, ' It shall be the desire and prayer of my heart, that if I should have no more opportunities among you, as you have been stirred up to get this white robe of grace, you and I may meet in glory, where we shall never part; that will be the answer of all our prayers, and the issue of all our labours; then we shall have as much joy as we can hold for ever.""

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Mr. Henry Dorney, in a letter to his brother, says, "That famous and laborious minister, Mr. Joseph Caryl, your ancient friend and companion, is departed this life. His death is greatly lamented by the people of God throughout this city. His labours were great, his studies incessant, his conversation unspotted, his charity, faith, zeal, and wisdom, gave a fragrant smell among the churches and servants of Christ. His sickness, though painful, was borne with patience and joy in believing; and so he parted from time to eternity, under the full sail of desire and joy in the Holy Spirit. He lived his Sermons."-Dorney's Divine Contemplations, Letter CXIII. page 343.

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The following recommendation of the Rev. Mr. Caryl's Exposition of the Book of Job, is given by the celebrated Mr. Hervey, author of Theron and Aspasia, &c. "Mr. Caryl, in expounding this book, has acquitted himself as a master in Israel; his thoughts are beautiful and animated; his criticisms are correct and judicious; his language, considering the time he wrote, remarkably pure and strong; his doctrines are truly edifying, because, generally speaking, they are evangelical. What is very necessary, but a very difficult task in explaining this part of Scripture, the connexion of sentiment is discovered; the bearings and dependencies of the argument are pointed out; and the transitions from one passage to another are shown to be not wild and disorderly, but just, regular, and graceful."

We cordially recommend the Extracts from this excellent work by Mr. Berrie, as judiciously made, and concisely expressed, and as eminently calculated to promote the edification and comfort of the afflicted.

JOHN COLQUHOUN, D.D.
Leith.

JOHN BROWN, Minister,
Whitburn.

EBENEZER BROWN,
Inverkeithing.

THOMAS BROWN,

Dalkeith.

1

SELECT EXTRACTS, &c.

THE INTRODUCTION.

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IT is uncertain who was the writer of this book. The sum and principal subject of it is contained in these words, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all." The main question is whether it consists with the justice and goodness of God to afflict a righteous person, or that it should go well with the wicked and ill with the righteous?

And another question, which arises out of the former is, whether we may judge of the sincerity or hypocrisy of any person by the present dispensations of God towards him?

The whole dispute and argument of Job's friends may be reduced to one syllogism: He that is greatly afflicted is certainly either a great and open sinner, or a vile hypocrite. But Job thou art afflicted; therefore thou art certainly an unprincipled hypocrite, if not an open sinner.

This is the sum of the whole disputation; yet in the prosecution many other useful truths are handled-such as the character of a faithful head of a family, the discoveries of nature, of morals, and the attributes of God, &c. So that it may well be said that this book contains excellencies of wisdom and holiness. It teaches us how to bear our crosses, and points out Job as a pattern of patience under affliction. It shows us that God sometimes afflicts his children in sovereignty, and that however severely they are assaulted, he will never leave them to be totally or finally overthrown; and it warns us against trusting in creature comforts when enjoyed in the greatest abund

ance.

This book exposes the falsehood of Satan and worldly men, when they say that the people of God follow him solely for their own ends, and it also reproves those who judge of their spiritual estate by some rash speeches that may fall from them in their conflict; and it confutes those who judge of men's spiritual estate by the manner God deals with them in their outward concerns.

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"It is matter of consolation, that no temptation can take hold of God's children, but he will enable them to bear or make a way for escape; they can never be brought so low, but he can deliver and raise them up.

"Let all learn to glorify God, and speak well of him in every condition. Though Job sometimes in vehemency of spirit overshot himself, yet he recovers again and breathes sweetly con

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