If God is mighty, and if also he does not despise any, we may be irure tb11t he will uso hie great power for tho benefit of helpless creatures who ar,: not beneat'n his notice. Bympnthy is not enough for salvation, without strength. God bas both. IV. THE MIGHT AND MEROY OF Goo SHOULD LEAD us TO TRUST IN HIM. We have not to deal with an aristocratic Divinity who looks with contempt on tho "dim multitude," Though high above us, God does not despise us; then we may venture to confide in him. No trouble is so foolish that he will not take account of it, if it really vexos ono of his children. Those who are despised by their fellow-men may take comfort from the thought that they are not so regarded by their God. It is well to find e. refugo from the contempt of the world in the sympathy of God. Y. WE SHOULD NOT DESPISE ANY OF OUR BRETHREN. If God has not despised them, dare we do so? Whatever feelings may be provoked by the baseness and meanness of men, contempt is never justifiable. God respects the dignity of the child whom he has made in his own image; and we should learn to treat with respect the lowest of our fellow-men. Contempt not only hurts the feelings of the most h □ mble, it degrades the most vicious. We shall not save the sinner by despising him; the only method is 9hrist's !Dethod-:-loving him e.nd treating him as a brother.-W. F. A. Ver. 7.-The kingship of righteO'Usness. Elihu assures Job that the righteous are to be with kings on the throne. In the New Testament we learn that Christians are ... kings and priests unto God." Let us, then, inquire as to what the kingship of ·righteousness consist8 in. I. lTs SOURCE. How does this kingly state come to be conferred on men? 1. By Divinefavour. God favours righteousness. 'l'his is not apparent on earth, or, at all events, under circumstances of trouble and disappointment. Yet in the long run God sustains and axe.Its those who follow bis will. No man can lift himself up to the high places of God. God, and God alone, raises up and casts down. God " withdraweth not bis eyes from the righteous." 2. On condition of righteousness. This is not an arbi- trary condition. (1) It is just. The right should prevail. Good men are best fitted to be in the exalted positions. (2) ItJs natural. If " the meek shall inherit the earth" by e. silent law that gives them possession of it, the righteous shall rule it by force of a similar law in the very constitution of things. Right tends to prevail, for there is "e. stream of tendencies that makes for righteousness." 3. ThrO'Ugh faith. We must add this Christian thought to the tea.cbiog or Elihu, if wo would have a complete view of the truth. Our own self-made righteousness will never exalt us to a. kingly throne. There is no royalty about it. The kingly grace attaches to that righteousness of faith which is the gift of God. II. ITS 0HARA0TER. In what sense is it said that righteous men are to be with kings on the throne? How can Christians be regarded as kings? 1. In true glnry. Good men may not enjoy worldly glory; they may be poor, despised, obscure. Yet in the sight of God and the angels they may be sitting wi kings with crowns on their heads. Royal dignity is not a matter of display. There is a glory which no eye of sense ca.n see. 2. In 6piritual power. Kings in the East, and in the olden time, were rulers who made their power felt; and in the Bible kingship involves ruling authority as well as reigning dignity. Now, there is influence in goodness. The me.n of character ce.rries weight with his advice. In course of time he gains respect, and so acquires influence. 8. In future possession. 'l'hese ideas of the kingship of the good point to a yet unseen future for their perfect realize.tion. Righteousness is not yet by any means universally dominant. The future he.s in store for us e. glorious kingdom of God, when all evil shall be suppressed, and when goodness shall take its rightful place. In the.t perfect Messianic ago, with Christ reigning as King of kings, e.11 his people will he.ve the honour and power of royalty. In the mean time let us recollect that the kingdom must begin within. Until we can rule our own souls we are not fit to sit as kings. Kingly ne.tures are those that he.ve mastered themselves, and so are ce.pe.ble of ruling others. Righteous- ness implies self-me.story. When the self-mastery is complete it will be time to ask about tbe larger kingebip.-W. F. A.
Ver. 10.-The ear that is open to discipli-ne. I. SUFFERING IS FOR DISCIPLINE. This is Elihu's great thought, and he returns to it e.gain e.nd again. It is familiar to us, 592 THE BOOK OF JOB. [as. xxnr. 1-88.