PREFACE. THE following Commentary may perhaps be regarded with the less interest by some readers, as not being founded on a critical examination of the original Text. Perhaps, however, there may also be readers, who are glad to have their attention withdrawn from difficulties, to them insuperable, and fixed on those deep and pervading characteristics, which it is the privilege of holiness to read in the sacred page. Criticism may contradict the interpretation of a sentence, and give a different turn to particulars; but the main scope of the work is founded on principles of a higher order, and involves a perception of truths to which the acutest critic may perchance be blind. The utmost that criticism can do for the study of Holy Writ is to furnish as it were a correct Text for the reading of the spiritual eye. And if there is any Book in the sacred Canon in which the bearing of words is more important than the mere thing said, it is the Book of Job. Besides the actual exposition of the Text, this work contains numerous digressions in the way of moral application, more or less connected with the Commentary. It is from these that it takes the name of Morals,' and that it displays so fully the character of its Author. Remarks that seem commonplace at first, are seen upon farther study to be full of meaning from his mouth, and to be the result of close and long-continued self-discipline, and strict observation of the innermost workings of the mind and heart. The Introduction gives some account of the circumstances under which it was composed, and, together with the Notes, supplies some information with regard to the Author's life. iv PREFACE. It may be worth while, however, to give a slight sketch of the remaining parts of his history. He was the son of Gordianus and Silvia, Romans of a good family, and devoting his early life to civil affairs, he became first a senator, and afterwards (A.D. 581. Cave, 574. Ben.) Prefect of the City. At this time, however, he was already longing to devote himself entirely to religion, and gave up a large portion of his property to the founding of six Monasteries in Sicily, and another in Rome. Into this last he finally entered, whilst it was under the government of Valentius, and there submitted himself to the Rule of St. Benedict,' which prescribes a total renunciation of property, and very strict obedience to the Abbot, besides a certain order of devotions, and regulations of abstinence. Pope Pelagius, however, (or, as some say, his predecessor,) shortly drew him from his retirement, ordained him Deacon, and sent him as his Apocrisiarius, or representative, to the Emperor Tiberius at Constantinople. To this period he refers in the opening of his Morals. He remained there three years, till A.D. 586, during which time he is said to have recovered Eutychius, Patriarch of Constantinople, from the error of denying the Resurrection of a real palpable body. After the death of Tiberius, he returned to his monastery, of which he became Abbot, and had leisure for reviewing his writings, and composing some fresh treatises. But on the death of Pelagius, A.D. 490, he was chosen to succeed to the Papacy, though against his own will. He is said to have been compelled to consent by a Divine interference, and his own letters, (Ep. 1. 21. ad Natal. and vii. 4. ad Cyriac.) confirm this, though the miracle related by his Biographers is hardly consistent with contemporary accounts. He bore this burdeu thirteen years, under the pressure of severe bodily disease and suffering, but with great benefit to the Church. His Epistles, in twelve books, shew the variety and extent of the relations in which he was called upon to act, and the important services he was enabled to render to the Church in various countries. The Emperor Mauricius was a hard master to the Church, and |