Learn : 1. The impunity of sinners on earth is no proof that they shall enjoy like Impunity hereafter. 2. That God's people do not now discern his judgment throne ie no argument that such II throne does not exist. 3. Little faults are as really sins, and as certain to be punished, as great offences. 4. Uriminals who start with stealthy and minute acts of transgression are in danger of proceeding to large as well as open works of wickedness. 6. "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." 6. Mighty despots may deprive the poor of their estates by either fair means or foul; but God regards the deed as spoliation and robbery. 7. It is a wiser policy to prevent pauperism from being developed in a state than to provide for it after it has been developed. 8. Town and country are much the same in their moral characteristics. 9. It is a mistake to infer from God's silence that he neither sees nor cares for the wickedness and misery of man. Ver. 8.-.A threefold religious emblem; or, the shelter of the rock. I. AN EMBLEM OF THE SINNER'S MISERABLE CONDITION. 1. Exposed to a storm. Like the unhappy victims of tyrannical oppression, men, in their unconverted state, are liable to be overtaken by the tempest of God's righteous wrath and indignation against sin (Ps. xi. 6; Hom. i. 18; Col. iii. 6; 1 Thess. i. 10; Rev. vi. 16, 17), which will not assail the body merely, but destroy both soul and body in hell (Luke xii. 5), and that for ever. 2. Destitute of shelter. Like the houseless and homeless wanderers among the mountains, unpardoned souls are without a refuge to which they can betake themselves in the day of their calamity. Driven forth from the place of safety in which they originally stood, they have now "no covering in the cold," no garment of righteousness in which they can wrap their trembling spirits. Nor can they by any wisdom, wealth, or labour of their own construct or discover for themselves a habitation and defence against the storm. II. AN EMBLEM OJI' TRE GBEAT SALVATION OFFERED IN THE GOSPF.L. As the shiver- ing outcasts crept into the rocky caves on the mountain-side, so Christ has been set forth as a Rock and a Hiding-place (Isa. xxxii. 2). 1. .Accessible by all ; the approach to him being hindered by no formidable barriers, and no stupendous effort being required to reach his side (Rom. x. 6), nothing beyond a simple exercise of faith which is within the ability of even a child. 2. Sufficient/or all; there being room enough in Christ for all who come to him in faith (Luke xiv. 22), yea, for the entire world of mankind (Isa. xiv. 22; John iii. 16), if only they sincerely come to him; and perfect safety and protection for all who gain its Phelter, complete defence against the charges of the Law, the accusations of conscience, the penalties of sin, the terrors of death, and of the wrath to come (Rom. v. 1). 3. Free to all; every one who seeks his presence and assistance being accorded a welcome, without money and without price. " All the fitness he req uireth Is to feel our need of him." III. AN EMBLEM OF THE ACT OF BA VING FAITH. As the miserable victims of the strong man's oppression embraced the rock for a shelter, so must needy sinners em- brace Christ the Rock. 1. With perscmal application; Uhrist being of no more use to a sinner without individual appropriation than the mountain rock would have been to those who did not cling to it. lt'aith is the hand that lays hold of and embraces Christ as he is exhibited in the gospel. 2. With fervent gratitude; givincr thanks to God for his abundant mercy in providing such a shelter for the soul, as° no doubt the poor creatures whom the mountain-storms d!-enched were grateful for even the protection of a cave. 3. With ~mmedi~te action; allowing no delay to prevent the soul from fleeing from the storm of 1mpendrng wrath to the hope set before it in the gospel
Vers. 13-25.-Job to Eliphaz: 5 . ..4ncient rebels against the light. L THEIR BLACK. ORABAOTER. 1. They are hostile to the light. The light alluded to is the light of day. The wicked persons spoken of regard that light with aversion, as being unfavourable to the special forms of ungodliness they delight to practise. Distinguished from the pre- viously mentioned sinners who tran8act their nefarious deeds openly and unblushingly beneath the clear firmament of heaven, these night-birds may be taken, in their general characteristics at least, a• representatives of those evil-doers w'!iom Christ designates THE ..BOOK OF JOB. [oR. :0:[V. 1-26.