heavenly disposition ; but who has not reason to regret, that mercies produce too transient an effect upon his mind ? Let us at least profit by the example they then set us, and labour to " glorify God" for the inestimable mercies he has conferred upon us.]
Improvement —
1. This history may teach us to sit loose to the things of this life- —
[If we possess personal and family mercies, let us be thankful for them. The continuance of them is no less a favour than the restoration of them would be : but let us not inordinately fix our affections upon any created good. We know not how soon our dearest comforts may become the occasion of our deepest sorrows. The case of Job affords a striking admonition to men in all agesk. Let us then endea- vour to practise that advice of the Apostle1, and place our affections on those things which will never be taken from usm.]
2. It shews us whither we should flee in a season of deep affliction —
[As no physician could restore the widow's son, so none could heal her wounded spirit ; but there was one at hand, when she little thought of it, that could do both. That same Almighty Deliverer is very nigh unto us, and calls us to him- self when we are bowed down with trouble". Let us then call upon him under every spiritual or temporal affliction, and,
above all, under the guilt and burthen of our sins . And,
with a conviction of his all-sufficiency, let us say with Peter0 — ]
3. We may take occasion from it to bless God for the preached Gospel —
[The word of Christ is as powerful now in his Gospel as ever it was in the days of his flesh. It quickens many who were dead in trespasses and sins : it rescues them from the second death, and awakens them to an eternal life. How many have seen the souls, over which they had long mourned, called forth to life by the almighty voice of Jesus ! Let the whole multitude of us then " fear the Lord and his goodness p." Let us " glorify him" for sending us such an adorable Saviour: and let us seek, both for ourselves and others, fresh displays of his power and grace.]
k Job i. 13—19. i 1 Cor. vii. 29—31.
m Col. hi. 2. " ps. i, is. Matt. xi. 28.
° John vi. 68, 69. p'Hos. iii. 5.