PREFACE. The following Commentarymay perhaps be regarded with the less interest by some readers, as not being founded on a critical examination ofthe original Text. Perhaps, however, there may also be readers, who are glad to have their atten- tion withdrawn from difficulties, to them insuperable, and fixed on those deep and pervading characteristics, which it is the privilege of holiness to read in the sacred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 hearing 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 con- tains 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 ofmeaning 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. b cob YAn