BY THE REV. JOHN FRY, B. A., LATE OF UNIVERSITY COLLEge, oxford; rector of desford, LeicesTERSHIRE ; AUTHOR OF A NEW TRANSLATION AND EXPOSITION OF THE CANTICLES; LECTURES ON ST. PAUL'S PSALMS; THE SECOND ADVENT; A HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN FOR THE CONVALESCENT. "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; LONDON: PRINTED FOR JAMES DUNCAN, 37, PATERNOSTER-ROW. MDCCCXXVII. 554. PREFAC E. THAT the Book of Job has been properly numbered among the inspired writings has hardly ever been called in question. It is known to have formed part of that Sacred Volume which our Saviour Christ refers to as 'the Scripture.' It is cited by the apostles Paul and James, and was, accordingly, received as canonical by all the ancient fathers, councils, and churches. Some few authors have suggested that the Book of Job is not the narrative of a real event, but is to be considered as of a parabolical or allegorical character. This idea, however, has been ably refuted by a very large majority of the most learned and eminent expositors. The manner in which Job is mentioned by the prophet Ezekiel, and by St. James, can hardly leave room for a doubt on this head; and in most readers, I believe, a conviction of the reality of the narrative will arise from a simple perusal of the work itself. With respect to the subject and author of this book, the country and age in which he lived, much has been The Jewish writer, Josephus, also includes the Book of Job in the sacred list.-Cont. Apion, lib. i. b 1 Cor. iii. 19. c James v. 2. d Among these may be numbered Spanheim, Sherlock, Schultens, Bishop Louth, Peters, Kennicott, Hales, Magee, and Good. b |