faith, co.n never force him from it. And he is bound to exchange his darker thoughts of God for these truer ones, apparently unconscious that they are inconsistent with one another. III. But there comes another BELAPSE INTO DESPONDENCY. (Vera. 4-7.) He looks without, at the irritating spectacle of those complacent, unfriendly friends, and com- plains of their want of understanding, defying their authority. He accuses them of betraying him (ver. 6 should probably be, "he that maketh a. spoil of his friends," eto,), and three.tens them with sorrow in consequence. Then again he turns to God i\S the source of all his sufferings, who has made his name, once so fair in reputation, now a byword and a scoff, and has brougM him into his present utter languor and '9xhaustion (ver. 7). IV. But once again there is a REVIVAL OF HIGH COURAGE AND HOPE. (Vera. 8, 9.) He contemplates himself in this light as a reproach to all who behold him or know of his fate. The upright are thrown into amazed confusion, they are shocked at the spectacle ; and the innocent are stirred up against the profli:zate in indignation at their prosperity. But the just man will hold on his way, until the light a.gain shines upon it; and he who has clean hands will, despite his present weakness, increase in strength. His words are "like a rocket which shoots above the tragic darkness of the book, lighting it up suddenly, though only for a short time" (comp. Ps. Ix.xiii.). V. He then turns again upon his friends with a SHARP REPROOF OF THEIR FOOLISH, trNCONSOLATORY WORDS, (Vers. 10-16.) The sharp rebuke of ver. 10 is followed by reasons. His strength is consumed, and his end is drawing near; his days are past, his plans cut off, and the fondest desires of his heart; and the light which they think to bring in consolation, is like to darkness (vers. 11, 12). He goes on to justify himself for seeing nothing but darkness and night before him, and to reject the hope which they hold out of better days. His hope is fixed on Hades, on the dark, lower world alone (ver. 13). He has said to corruption, "Father I " the worm he has designated "mother and sister"! And where,·then, is this hope of restored health and prosperity of which you vainly talk? It disappears through the gates of Hades, and yonder in the dust will be alone his rest (vers. 14-16). But how unlike are God's thoughts and ways to those of man I Job thinks his fate is sealed; he will neither live nor recover bis former joy. Yet God has strangely and gloriously ordained that both life and joy restored shall be his, as the happy issue of his sufferings shows. Thus does he lead to the gates of hell and bring up again (1 Sam. ii. 6), leads through suffering to conquest over the fear of death, and to the germination and unfolding of a hope that is centred in the unseen.-J. Ver. 9.-Progress in virtue. A later book declares "the path of the just is as the shining light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." So here the stability and progressive character of the righteous is assured. I. PROGRESS IN VIRTUE IMPLIES A CAREFUL CHOOSING OF A GOOD wAY. It is charac- teristic of a righteous man that he has committed himself to a carefully chosen way. It is "his way." It describes a path and manner of life. It embraces his entire "conversation." He is not driven as with a wind and tossed from one course to another. One only path is before him, narrow it may be, and often hidden as a rugged mountain-path, demanding toil and watchfulness and effort to find it and to keep it. But this "his way" is chosen, aud to it he has committed himself. He follows the path whithersoever it may lead him. II. Progress in virtue on the part of a righteous man implies that BE PERSEVERES IN BIB CHOSEN AND WELL-SELECTED PATH. Fickleness and vacillation are not qualities of true righteousness; but patience in well-doing al1Vays marks the truly righteous one. The high character of virtue, the gravity of the interests involved in the practice of virtue, the strnng motives of virtuous principle, together with the appre- hension of the rewards of righteous doing, are all motives to perseverance; whilst to them is added the ministry of Divine grace. God helps the good and obedient and striving soul. 'l'hus the inward principle of virtue, and the support which it gathers to itself, o.like help to secure a staady i,rogress. But steady progress in the path of virtuonij living must issue in growth nnd perfectness of virtuous character. III. Steady progress in virtae is MARKED BY INCREASING STRENGTH OF CRARAOTEB THE BOOK OF Joa
A1'"tl OONVroTI0N, The righteous ti:um wsxes "stronger snn •stronger." Holy principle& !!:"'in & firmer bold t1pon hie oc,nvictione. Hie life settles intoadefiniteneea and stability of habit. He has greater power to resist evil ; he has greater power over his own heart• h_e exerts a gre11ter po'IVer over others arou!ld bim. He is not. I?oved from hie integrity either by the fierce onslaughts of temptation or by the eever1t1es of trial, His life is pledirod to a course of obedient living-to purity, truth, goodness. More and more he 18 established in his goingi,. lie rises to _great,er. brightness as the sun to greater etrengt.h. __ He gat_hers st~ngth even ~rom h_1e aflhct1on.e.. Deeper and deeper principles of holy hvrng strike their fi1m roots mto his whole spmt. lie pursues his ohosen and holy way undeterred by the many forms of temptation that assail him. In his ri"'ht- eousness he can "hold on his way," and with his "clean hands" he war.ea •• etro~ger and stronger" day by day .-R. G.