fied asnot to be of confiderable ufe in their respective parishes. Their extenfive learning, their feasonable advice, their inoffenfive converfation, the benevolence of their principles, their readinefs to attend whenever they can adminifter comfort in the dreary hours of fickness and of forrow, have always been found a general advantage to fociety. Oh! may the Almighty Ruler of hearts accompany their work and labour of love with his benediction and grace! and may thefe bleffed effects fhine forth eminently in this our day, and continue to future ages!

Finally, brethren, as partakers in fome of these bounties, and stewards of the reft, I am perfuaded we shall fo act as that we be found faithful at the great day of account. The future harmony and welfare of these parishes will depend in no fmall degree on our candour and diligence in difcouraging vice and immorality by our authority and example; in attending to the morals of the growing generation; in marking accurately and distinctly our respective rights, which will be best done, by reviving the much neglected duty of depofiting in the Bishop's court as complete a TERRIER as may be of our lands and properties; a matter this of the utmost confequence to the poor; the fureft human mean of preventing for the future the fatal, the irremediable confequence of that fpiritual famine which has been now defcribed. The firmest bond of friendship and unanimity.-I have the inexpreffible fatisfaction to be able to fum up the whole matter, by declaring that the happy agreement which fubfifts among all parties concerned, gives us a lively affurance, an animating prefage, that the pleasure of the Lord will continue to profper in our hands.

In conclufion, let us, following herein the example of the great KING SOLOMON and the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, on a like occafion, lift up our hearts, and fay,

cry,

“O Lord our God, hearken unto the thy fervants pray before thee, that thine

68

and the prayer which

eyes be open upon this

"houfe

"houfe day and night; hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even "from heaven; and when thou heareft, forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whofe heart thou know"eft; for thou only knoweft the hearts of the children of men, "that they may fear thee, to walk in thy ways fo long as they "e. And if they fin against thee, yet-if they bethink them"felves, and come and pray in this houfe,-faying, we have finned,-we have done amifs, and have dwelt wickedly;—if they return to thee with all their heart and with all their foul"then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling-place, "and forgive thy people which have finned against thee.-Now, "our God, let, we beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine “ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

""

Now, therefore, arife, O Lord God, unto thy refting-place, "thou and the ark of thy ftrength.-Let thy priefts, O Lord "God, be cloathed with falvation, and let thy faints rejoice in goodness," saying, AMEN. Bleffing and glory and wisdom, "and thanksgiving, and honour and power, and might be unto "our.God forever and ever.-AMEN.

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PARAPHRASE

ON THE

HISTORY

O R

BOOK OF JOB:

WITH

MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS

AND

SIMILAR PASSAGES

FROM

VARIOUS AUTHORS,

PARTICULARLY

THE ENGLISH POET S.

IN THE BOOK OF JOB, THE MOST ANCIENT POEM IN THE WORLD, WE HAVE SUCH PAINTINGS AND DESCRITIONS AS ARE TRANSCENDENTLY ABOVE THE MOST CELEBRATED HEATHEN WRITERS; WHEREBY WE MAY PERCEIVE HOW FAINT AND LANGUID THE IMAGES ARE WHICH ARE FORMED BY MORTAL AUTHORS; WHEN COMPARED WITH THOSE WHICH ARE FIGURED, AS IT WERE, JUST AS THEY APPEAR IN THE EYE·· OF THE CREATOR,

ADDISON.