consistent with the abridgment of man's life after the flood, for that he lived after that catastrophe is evident from the text.

Now the experience of every age, in accordance with the words of inspiration, is sufficient proof that the patience and resignation of the most pious, are often severely tried by affliction. That Satan may be the agent, is also clear. He tempted Eve in Paradise, and our Saviour in the wilderness-but in what manner he obtains his commission, or what takes place in the celestial regions respecting this awful arrangement, is amongst the secret things of God, which we are not permitted to know. If the fact is to be communicated to mortals, it must be done in some way compatible with human comprehension. Hence, Satan is represented as appearing in the court of the Most High, and obtaining leave to try the faith of one, who was honoured with the appellation of "a perfect and upright man." Another argument against the reality of the whole story is assumed, from its metaphorical style, in the debate between Job and his companions. In answer to this, it is not necessary to contend that every word is related as it was spoken, although much may be allowed to the known figurative style of Arabia, the country in which the scene is laid. If the sentiments are preserved, the dignified form into which the poem is cast, does not impugn the reality of the events. Besides, to the testimony of an apostle we have added that of a prophet, (Ezekiel, xiv. 14.) concerning the existence of such a man as Job. And with respect to the number of his yearsthey did not so far exceed that of other patriarchs (con

sidering too that he was but young at the date of his trial) that we may not suppose him to have been favoured with an extraordinary length of life, as a reward of his pious fortitude, and a gracious compensation for his extraordinary sufferings.

Job is called "the greatest of all the men of the East," by the inspired historian. "The whole region between Egypt and the Euphrates, was called the East, at first in respect to Egypt, and afterwards absolutely, and without any relation to situation or circumstances."* He dwelt in the land of Uz, which is said to be a district of Arabia, lying between Egypt and Philistia. Having discovered the place of Job's residence, there is no difficulty in ascertaining the period at which he flourished. The whole complexion of the book in question, bears the mark of high antiquity. He was the priest of his own family, according to patriarchal custom, and offered sacrifices for his children and his friends; consequently, he lived before the institution of a regular priesthood by Moses, to which alone belonged this privilege after the promulgation of the law. He offered them at his own dwelling, whereas, the Levites, as you know, might sacrifice only at the consecrated tabernacle. Had there been a law, the acknowledged piety of Job would have restrained him from transgressing it. His wealth is reckoned by his flocks-he had seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, besides an immense herd of cattle: he therefore led a pastoral life-the earliest occupation of man.

* Horne's Introduction to the study of the Bible.

Our Bible chronology dates the trial of Job about twenty-nine years before the Exodus from Egypt. That there is no allusion to such a nation as the Israelites, or their peculiar system, to the miracles by which they were delivered from the cruel hand of Pharaoh, or by which they were sustained forty years in a desert, is abundant evidence that he lived anterior to these wonderful events. Their number, and their notoriety, must have reached the ears of those who lived in the very neighbourhood where they occurred. Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of the plain, lay still nearer to the plain of Uz-all the people of Idumea must have known of their miraculous ruin, yet none of all these most remarkable transactions are mentioned in the conversation between Job and his companions—a conversation which, turning chiefly on the power of God, and the manner of his dealings with the children of men, afforded an opportunity so favourable, that they must have been noticed had they taken place before that time. It is also observable, that all these men, though coming from different parts of Arabia, spoke the same language, the original Hebrew; from which it would appear that they conversed together on this memorable occasion before it was corrupted into different dialects by the posterity of Abraham.

It is well known that of all the various forms by which the true religion was debased, amongst the most ancient was the worship of the sun and moon; and to this alone is there any allusion in the book of Job.

From these, and other arguments, the high antiquity of this incomparable book is completely proved. Horne, a

late writer of great erudition, collecting them all-concludes the time of Job to have been eight hundred and eighteen years after the deluge, and one hundred and eighty-four before the birth of Abraham, which would carry it back some ages beyond the date in our common Bibles. But it is a nicer point to determine by whom this interesting story was written. It may have been the work of Job himself, but the thirty-second chapter affords a strong presumption that Elihu was the author. Moses having found it during his long exile in Midian, might deliver it to his rebellious people in the desert, as a corrective of their unthankful temper, and an encouragement to submission, by the rewards that are there held out to quiet suffering.

CATHARINE. It would then appear that this is the oldest book in the world, even more ancient than the Pentateuch. I should now be glad to have some account of the argument which is beyond my present comprehension. I hope it will not be always so, but that I may hereafter obtain a better knowledge, both of this and every other part of sacred writ.

MOTHER. I am only able to give you a general view of a composition so magnificent: although it contains instruction the most obvious, it is yet veiled to the most illustrious scholars, by our imperfect knowledge of the eastern idioms, and by the transcendant nature of the subject. The God of nature is discovered in his works. We see-we feel-we admire and adore! Much is given to exercise the intellectual faculties of man, but much more is exalted beyond his best attainments. Of his justice and

his mercy we see the effects in his moral government, but we are often lost in conjecture when we attempt to scan the reason of his dispensations. These high matters were the chief subject of debate between Job and his disputatious friends. Guided only by the light of nature and tradition, and destitute of the revelation with which we are favoured, although they often "spoke amiss," it is yet surprising that they were in general so correct.

Job was a man of great eminence, a prince perhaps, or a magistrate in the land of Uz. Endowed with wisdom, wealth, and virtue, he was reverenced by every class of society. His children had grown to maturity, and misfortune had not violated his dwelling. Encompassed by all the blessings of domestic and social life, he seemed almost beyond its reach. But suddenly he is bereft of all! Neighbouring bands of roving Chaldeans overrun his fields-his flocks and herds are swept away, and the shepherds and ploughmen put to the sword! Scarcely had these disasters reached his ears, when the blow is repeated by another messenger. All his children, assembled at a feast in their elder brother's house, are crushed to death in its fall, by a fierce whirlwind! Such a tide of accumulated evils, might well have burst the heart of a father, and a man! But in the midst of prosperity Job had prepared his heart for a Whilst his sons and daughters had gone from house to house at some festive season, the pious patriarch had risen early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings, according to the number of them all." "It may be," said he, "that my sons have sinned in a moment of intemperance, and blasphemed their Creator." Thus he

reverse.