Nor is this a small consolation to the people of God, whom Satan is ever ready to accuse and harass. When he would persuade them that they are hypocrites, they may recollect, that " he was a liar from the beginning." When he, through Divine permission, assaults them either in body or mind, they may look back to this history, and see, that he can in no respect exceed his commission, or overthrow those who trust in God. He may toss them vehemently as in a sieve ; but shall never destroy the smallest grain of solid wheat".]
2. He exercised and improved the graces of Job —
[If " men do not light a candle, in order to put it under a bushel, but that it may give light to those who are in the house0," we may be sure that God does not implant his grace in the heart, but with a view to call it into exercise. Now he had endued Job with such eminent patience, that the common events of life were not sufficient to call it forth : he therefore suffered Satan to exert all his power against him, in order that Job's piety might be displayed, augmented, and confirmed. Behold the sufferer when coming out of his trial ; how bright does he shine, when " abasing himself in dust and ashes !" How eminent does he appear, when God himself not only takes his part, but refuses forgiveness to his uncharitable friends, except as an answer to his intercession for them1'! Truly he lost nothing in the furnace but his dross ; and "he came out of it purified as goldq."]
3. He increased Job's happiness both in this and in the eternal world —
[Doubtless the afflictions of Job were inexpressibly severe : yet was he no stranger to consolation even in his most distress- ing hours. If all his earthly comforts were dead, and he had lost all hope of happiness on this side the grave, still he saw that he had a Redeemer living ; and he knew that the day was fast approaching, when he should enjoy an intimate and ever- lasting communion with himr.
But beyond all expectation he was raised from his low estate; his family was again increased to the very number he had before lost ; his possessions were doubled ; and his life, which probably at that time was somewhat advanced, was prolonged a hundred and forty years, that he might see his posterity even to the fourth generation3. We must confess, therefore, that even in this life he was abundantly recompensed for the months of trouble that he had endured.
11 Luke xxii. 3-1. with Amos ix. 9. ° Matt. v. 15.
p Job xlii. 8. i Job xxiii. 10. « Job xix. 25 — 27.
■ Job xlii. 10, 13, 16.
i 2