6. Soon I hope thy face to see, Free from sin, for ever free : Job was a true believer long before he uttered the words which stand at the head of this piece; of this we are certain, if the testimony of God, as given in the first chapter of Job, is to be credited. All his after trials, of which we have a full account in the different parts of his Book, were not designed to produce in him regeneration, for this was complete; but it was designed to instruct and enlarge his understanding in the knowledge of the wisdom, power, grace, and loving-kindness of his covenant God, as well as to instruct him more into the knowledge of the plague and sinfulness of his own heart: much of this is always discovered in, and by the furnace of affliction. I see nothing in Job's case discordant with the experience and troubles of God's Church in all ages, except in a few circumstantials: did he manifest submission, patience, and the fullest acquiescence in the sovereign pleasure of God, under the most trying dispensations? so does every believer, at times, through Christ strengthening him: did he murmur, fret, curse the day of his birth, and speak froward words, both against God and man? so does every be liever, or so he would do, if left but one moment to the vile workings of his filthy nature. Hold thou me up, O God! and I shall be safe. 21. CHRIST EXALTED. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name.-- 1. NOW let the children of the day He by himself their debt did pay, 2. He gave himself a sacrifice, And death and hell o'ercame; 3. And now he lives at God's right-hand, His love is still the same; His favors num'rous as the sand, . { Tombol All glory to his name! 4, Exult my soul! thy Jesus lives! Be this thy constant theme;lus! Sinners the vilest he receives, All glory to his name !^, Whatever glory is due to God the Father, is, also, due to God the Son; "for by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him." (COLOSs. 1. 16.) But Jesus, as the Head of his mystic body, has, by his wonderful displays of grace and condescension, rendered himself glorious, without a parallel, to his redeemed: These, and these only, "shew forth the praises of him, who hath called them out of darkness, into marvellous light." 22. CHRIST'S CONCERN FOR EPHRAIM. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim ?---Hos. x1. 8. 2. "Rebellious thou hast been, "But since in love I took thee in, F 3." I've bound thee up secure, "The curse thou never shalt endure, 66 4. My son, give me thy heart, "Let me thy sorrows, bear; ""Tis not thy caution, pow'r, or art, 5. Lord, captivate my soul, Subdue the pow'r of sin; Ephraim is frequently put, in the Scriptures, for the ten revolting tribes, who were given up to idolatry: Let Ephraim alone: he is joined to his idols. Ephraim's evil propensities prefigure the multiform evil propensities manifest in, and known by the Church of Christ, in this her militant state. Well speaks the Apostle: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 23. DIVINE COMPASSION. When I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy 2. Tossed with continual doubting,2 3. Jesus saw my sad condition, 4. Precious peace his words conveying, Made my bosom leap for joy!.. |