NOTES.

NOTE A. Page 140.

THE immortality of the material body is a doctrine which does not appear in the theological systems of antiquity, and indeed we have very slight reason for supposing that a belief in the everlasting future existed previously to the gospel dispensation. "That the Mosaic law did contain the revelation in question, has been maintained, as is well known by many learned men; and the illustrious author of the Divine Legation' has been assailed by many of them, with much acrimony, for denying that position." But it is not "easy to conceive, how any man of even ordinary intelligence, and not blinded by devoted attachment to an hypothesis, can attentively peruse the books of the Law, abounding, as they do, with such copious descriptions of the temporal rewards and punishments (in their own nature so palpable) which sanctioned that Law, and with such earnest admonitions grounded on that sanction, and yet can bring himself seriously to believe that the doctrine of a state of retribution after death, which it cannot be contended is even mentioned, however slightly, in more than a few passages, formed a part of the Mosaic revelation."

"One passage there is, which is commonly understood

by Christians as having reference to the Resurrection, but which I cannot conceive to have been so designed by the writer. In the well-known passage of the book of Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth,' &c., by the 'Redeemer,' Christians usually understand the Lord Jesus, and by the latter day,' the Day of Judgment. The other interpretation of the words, which would refer them to the deliverance (shortly after recorded) of Job from his afflictions, and his restoration to health and prosperity, is less likely to occur to a Christian reader who takes the passage as an insulated sentence apart from the rest of the book. But this latter is the only interpretation that is at all consistent with all that had gone before, and with the general drift of the work. Job is represented as wondering and complaining that such a weight of calamity had been heaped upon a man of blameless life. His friends reply by insisting that he could not have been blameless; and they vindicate the Divine justice on the ground that, whatever he may say or think, he must, by some sins (though they cannot bring any charge home to him) have called down these judgments. They do not, it should be observed, suggest any other ground for supposing him a sinner, except the mere circumstance of his suffering under a visitation which they consider as totally inexplicable except on that supposition. He, on the other hand, persists in maintaining his innocence. Now if the speakers could be supposed to have known, or even believed as probable, any such doctrine as that of a future and immortal life, it is plain they would have adverted to that topic, as cutting short the dispute, and explaining the difficulty.

If they had had the least particle of the faith of the Apostle, they would have said, in his words, Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,'" &c.

a

Indeed, the book of Job affords confirmation that the writer of it, in accordance with the prevailing opinion of the time, looked only for temporary rewards and punishments, and it gives us indisputable proof that he had no conception whatever of any existence beyond the grave. The character there drawn of Job, presents us with a highly-wrought description of the weakness of human nature; it furnishes us with an eminent example of patriarchal faith which a purer light alone enables the Christian to surpass; and it brings vividly before us the satisfaction and delight that arose from the fulfilment of hopes which an imperfect knowledge of truth had confined to the attainment of earthly blessings. Although murmurs occasionally escaped his lips, he still looked forward with untiring confidence to the time when He who had given affliction should withdraw his chastening hand; he rejoiced in the anticipation of an honourable old age, in which his losses should be abundantly recompensed to him, in which he should be blessed in his possessions, in his friends, and in his children. But above all these there was reserved unto him one mercy of far greater excellence.

Adam, in his innocence, conversed with his Creator. "The Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God." b "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord;" "and God blessed Noah and

a

Whateley's Revelation of a Future State, p. 86, et passim b Gen. xvii. 1.

his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth." a And thus, as the crowning reward of his suffering endurance, Job trustfully hoped that he also should be favoured like unto "Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face;" that he also should be made a participator in this blessing that was granted to Adam, to Abraham, and to Noah; that he also, before he "was laid to his fathers and saw corruption," should be gladdened with the immediate presence of the Deity. We are told of his repinings, of his trustfulness, and of his reward. "Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? O that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. Are not my days few? Cease, then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death." "And Elihu said, Surely God will not do wickedly if He set His heart upon man, if He gather unto Himself His spirit and His breath, all flesh shall perish together, and man shall return again unto dust." "Then Job answered and said, Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me.' "b "O that I knew where I might find Him!

a Gen. vi. 8., ix. 1.

This is a metaphorical expression which signifies intense longing. Job confidently believed, even though his body should be wasted away by earnestly yearning for the presence of his

that I might come even to His seat! I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me. He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined." "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind." "Then Job answered the Lord." "Then answered the Lord unto Job." "And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken unto Job," that "the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, and blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning." "After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old and full of days."

" a

The reader is requested to lay aside all preconceived ideas, and to read the whole of the book of Job carefully through three times. The beauty of its language will please his imagination, and from its general design he will form his own opinion upon the points in question.

deliverer, that the day would come when the Deity would personally make clear wherefore He had thought fit to give affliction; and would Himself answer his entreaties—"Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?" And that day did come, and Job was "blessed."

a

Job, x. 18. 21., xxxiv. 15., xix. 26., xxiii., xxxviii., xl., xlii.