"While Satan makes one suffer, he makes others sin; when the Sabeans were plundering and murdering, little did they think they were in Satan's service, no more than those who cast their fellow-creatures into prison for welldoing, think that they are only the devil's drudges; for it is said, Rev. ii. 10. The devil shall cast some of you into prison,' and we know he only does it by his agents.

"It would increase Job's affliction greatly that the servants lost their lives (it is probable) in faithfully defending his property, neither was it out of any kindness to Job that one escaped to bring the painful tidings with speed and certainty, but that Job might be overwhelmed with the sudden and unexpected intelligence, as there was no room left to doubt of its truth.

"Verse 16. While he was yet speaking there came also another, and said, the fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burnt up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'

"Satan would not allow Job the least breathing. This second charge comes close upon the first: the second messenger tells him that the fire of God (which is supposed to have been some terrible flash of lightning,) hath fallen upon and consumed the sheep in a moment; by which Satan would suggest to Job that God was now become his enemy as well as man, and those afflictions are most grievous wherein God himself appears to be against us. The malice of devils and the rage of men may be endured,

but who can stand before God when he manifests his anger? if when God withdraws his comforts, the soul sinks under the smallest trials, what must it do when God reveals his wrath? it must be overwhelmed altogether in such a complication of distress.

"It might appear as if God had rejected his sacrifices, by his destroying the sheep from which Job had selected his offerings.

"Verse 17. While he was yet speaking there came also another, and said, the Chaldeans made out three bands and fell upon the camels and have carried them away; yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'

"The Chaldeans, who are here to be understood of a nation, (are described to the life,) Hab. Ch. i. Their name is derived from a word which signifies to rob and spoil. It is very rare that God makes one good man his rod to scourge another; he usually employs the worst of men as his instrument to correct and afflict his people. The dirty scullion scours the silver vessel, and makes it clear and bright for the master's use.

"Verse 18. While he was yet speaking there came also another, and said, thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house.'

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"Verse 19. And behold there came a great wind from the wilderness and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead, and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'

"This was the greatest affliction that came upon Job, it being upon his children, and upon them all at once; they were suddenly cut off by a violent death, and to Job, who was so tender of the souls of his children, and so fearful of their sinning at their feasts, it would exceed→ ingly aggravate the affliction that they were buried in the ruins of the house while they were feasting; and no doubt this was reserved to the last, that it might cause him to repine and murmur against God, and thereby Satan would have got the victory, and his prediction would have been fulfilled. The Lord who holdeth the wind in his fists gave Satan power, and he brought a terrible wind, which is issued in with a behold, that we may attend to its awful consequences. Job's children perished by it, yet it was not in wrath to them, but for the trial of the father; we ought not to judge by what men suffer, nor by the manner of their death, of their eternal state. It is said that every pot in Jerusalem shall be holiness unto the Lord, to teach us that men should be holy at their feastings, and at all their refreshment with the creature. From this we see how quickly worldly things may be destroyed, and how foolish it is to seek rest or comfort in them, and when our tribulations abound, let us seek support and consolation from him who can make us more than conquerors through him that loved us.

"When we consider the power and policy of Satan, let us bless God that he cannot stir to do us that mischief which his nature at once in

clines and enables him to do until God permits him.

"Verse 20. Then Job arose and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground and worshipped.'

"The design of Satan in making Job poor to a proverb, was to make him blaspheme God; it is also thought that he suggested to Job, that since God had so little regard to his comfort, why should he be mindful of his honour. But instead of this he testified the greatness of his grief by rending his garment, &c. and also evidenced his deep humiliation under the hand of God, and sorrow for all his sins; he neither despises nor unbelievingly faints; he showed a Christian fortitude, which is quite opposite to stoical apathy. He fell down, and in the exercise of fear and love worshipped God in his heart, and he honoured God by externally waiting upon him according to his appointment. In the temple, when all the service was performed according to the divine prescription, there was beauty and comely order. But a varying and departing from it, would have filled that holy place with deformity, although the outward lustre had been preserved.

"When God afflicts we ought to humble ourselves for our sins; and we may express our sorrow by external gestures, but such expressions of sorrow should always be accompanied with godly sorrow.

"We should remember it is our duty to worship and honour God at all times, and therefore, we should never sorrow as if we had nothing else to do. The people of God turn their

afflictions into prayers or praises; grace makes every condition work glory to God, and he makes all things to work for good to those that honour and love him. They that worship God must do it in spirit, that is, with love, fear and sincerity, and in truth; that is, according to the rule prescribed in God's word, the former strikes at hypocrisy, the latter at idolatry. Internal worship is complete in itself, but however complete external may be, it is never pleasing to God without the internal. "Verse 21. And said, naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."

"This speech expounds the meaning of Job's former actions; nakedness may be taken for the want of all outward comforts. I came a poor helpless naked creature into the world; should not this lay our pride in the dust? death will shake us out of all worldly comforts and possessions; but those who get spiritual riches, shall be adorned and enriched for ever.

“There is nothing said about the time he abode here; indeed it is but a flood and an ebb, and then we launch into the ocean of eternity.

"Job uses the words as an argument, both to support himself and also to acquit God. I have as much as I brought into this world, then what wrong is done me by all that is come upon me? from which observe, that a godly man desires to justify God in all his dealings with him, and that the consideration of what we once were, and of what we must soon be,