hu had no theory to oppose to his friends' orthodox notion that it is the merited punishment of sin. That that notion was wrong, experience and observation have made him see quite clearly. But hitherto he has not been able to supply an alter- native idoe.. Now there dawns on him a perception of the disciplinary purpose of suffering. The husbandman purgee the vine-branch because it ie fruitful (Johu xv. 2). The fother chastises hie son because be loves him (Heb. xii. 6). God tries hie servant, not to punish him, but because he values him. 8. ]ta aim. That the sufferer may come forth ae gold. Job will have hie innocence vindicated. A deeper result than vindication, however, ie the perfecting of the soul through suffering. The fire not only tests, it refines. 4. Its success. The end aimed at will be attained. The assurance of this lies in the previous thought of God's knowledge. He does not need to assay the soul in order to discover for himself whether it is of true gold. He knows the worth of bis servants. He adapts their discipline to their requirements. It seems dispro- portionate, but it is suitable; for God knows the way of htd people; therefore he will bring them forth as gold.-W. F. A. Vers. 11, 12.-Afaithful life. I. ITB COURSE. 1. A couHe of conduce. Job Rpeaks of bis foot holding, etc. He is reviewing his actions. It would have been of little use for him to have vindicated hie creed and bis sentiments if his conduct had been faith- less. 'l'he most important question is as to how a man lives, not as to what he thinks or how he feels. 2. A continuous course. It is a way, and Job has bad to keep to it. A momentary spasm of virtue will not satisfy the requirements of the Divine Law. 'l'o achieve e. single heroic deed that makes the world ring with one's fame, and then sink iato idle apathy, is not the way to earn the commendation, "Well done, good anil faithful servant!" 3. A Divine course. It is easy to persist in one's own way. The difficulty is to leave that and to accept and follow faithfully in God's way. Yet he has marked out the course of service for every one of his people, and the plain duty is to find it and follow it. 4. An arduous course. It is not easy to keep to God's steps. The way is narrow (Matt. vii. 13, 14). Many temptations urge ns to forsake it for flowery paths or for the broad road. The Christian life is a course of self-denial. The path leads uphill. Even while we only think of standing still we are really slipping back. It is o. mistake to suppo.~e that the Christian life is necessarily a gruwth and a progress. There is danger of worse than stagnation, of declension and decay. We may have done well in the past, and yet have been hindered later on in life. To be true Chri~tians we must be ever watchful, earnest, active in pressing forward along God's way. II. !Ts INBPIB.A.TION. How is it possible to be faithful, keeping continuously to God's way? 1. By th~ guidance of revelation. Job has been following God's com- mandments. We cannot. follow God's way without the aid of light from heaven. Instinct o.nd conscience are our natural guides; but instinct is blind, and conscience has been in some cases perverted. Therefore God has given us "the more sure word of prophecy." God's Word is a lamp to the feet of his people. This is its chief object. Difficulties a.re felt as to certain questions about the Bible, e.g. how to reconcile Genesis with geology, how to settle the relation of the Law to the prophets, how to harmonize the gospel narratives. But these questions do not touch the main purpose of the Bible, which is to be a guide to conduct. The righteousness of the ten commandments, the blessedness of the sermon on the mount, and, above all, the glory of Christ, still shine frum the sacred page as beacon-lights undimmed by the clouds of controversy that gather about quite secondary poiuts. 2. Jn the pou·er of affection. Job bas set e. supreme value on the words of God's mouth. Their truth and gouduess and beauty won the heart of the author of the hundred and nineteenth psalm. We havu still greater attractions in the New Testament. Christ, the living Word of God, draws men to himself by his love and by his sacrifice of himself, so that when he is known and loved faithfulness becomes possible for his sake. Christians are called to walk, not only in the steps which God has marked out for them, but in those which Christ has trodden, which be has me.de sacred by hiij own presence.-W. F. A.
Vi,r. 18.-The inflexibility of God. I. THE INFLEXIBILITY OF Goo IS ESSENTIAL TO me NA.TUBE. He has not the reastins for changing that we have. 1. He knows all 'l'BE BOOK OF JOB. [ott. xxm. 1-11,