In like manner, Milton in the execution of that glorious commiffion, given the Meffiah to extirpate the Hoft of Rebel Angels.

"Go, thou Mightieft, in thy Father's Might,"

then cloathing him with Terror and Majefty, even more than he could defcribe, finds a way to conceive of him far more Mighty and

make you terrific ftill.

"Yet half his ftrength he put not forth, but "checked

"His Thunder in mid volley.".

The Hiftory now pleafingly informs you, Job is restored to health, dignity, riches and enjoyment, and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, and the Lord bleffed his latter end, more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand Sheep, fix thousand Camels, and a thousand yoke of Oxen, and a thoufand ́ fhe Affes.

Job had alfo feven Sons and three Daughters, and no Women were found fo fair as the Daughters of Job.

He lived after this, an hundred and forty years, and faty his Sons, and his Sons Sons, even four Generations.

Job was then gathered to his Fathers, old, and full of days, riches, and honour.

Y 2

ESSAY

ESSAY XXI.

ΟΝ ΤΗΕ ΒΟΟΚ ΟΙ

PSALM S.

T

HESE compofitions were made at diffe

rent seasons, and on many and varicus occafions by David, Solomon and Hezekiah, Kings of Ifrael and Judah, and by Afaph, Mofes

and others.

Ezra, a very learned Jew, of the house of Aaron, (who by the interest of Queen Esther had been deputed as Viceroy from the Court of Perfia) firft made a collection of them at Jerualem.

Ezra

Ezra prefided over the Jewish Church and Nation thirteen years, and was then fucceeded by Nehemiah. On the arrival of this new Governor, Ezra, with dignity and graceful condefcenfion, applied himself wholly to the fervices of the Temple; he fat as Prefident in the grand Sanhedrim, and there, as one of his employments, Ezra revifed, and accommodated to the fervices of the day, this Book of Pfalms. The Jews were great lovers of mufick, and attributed much influence to its charms, it calmed the paffions and excited devotion.

Divine fongs, and Hymns of praise and thanksgiving (one part of the chorus anfwering to another as you now fee in the choirs of Cathedrals) formed a very principal part of the Jewish Worship, and the Pfalms were referred to, in the order in which they are now placed, by our Saviour himfelf and his Apoftles.

Jewish hymns were always and juftly admired for their grandeur, ftrength and loftinefs of expreffion, and the elegance and beauty of their imagery. Mofes was eminently diftinguished as a Poet as well as a Legiflator, the burfts of eloquence, the flights of fancy and poctic fweetnefs delight you, the fpirit of true piety and warmth of devotion never breathed more fervently than in thefe Divine Compofitions.

The

The rich vein of Poetry muft have greatly fuffered by a profe tranflation. How highly captivating and beautiful muft they have been in the original?

Meditations fo fublime are beyond all commendation; Devotion fo devout furpaffes all expreffion; yet in Hebrew, and in elegant verfe, fung aloud unto God in the fpacious Temple, with the blaft of trumpets, and the men fingers and the women fingers, with the timbrel and the harp, in Jewish pomp, on a folemn feftival and general thanksgiving, we might conceive ftill higher of their loftiness and Majefty, catch more of the flame of devotion and be loft in extafy. Even now to read them after fo many of their beauties are obfcured, Compofitions fo animated and fublime, draw us off from converfe with men to devout communion with our Ged.

A felect portion were daily fung as 'morning and evening exercises in the Temple, one was always chaunted at the firft opening of the doors, and another at shutting them up at night, others while the Sacrifices were offering up. Sometimes the King bore a part alone, fpeaking in his own perfon, the refponfes made by, the Priefts and Levites, and all the People joined in chorus. They are wifely fuited to private devotion, as

well

well as publick worship, to folemn fafts and days of humiliation, to feafts, weddings and conviviality, Anthems of commemoration, thanksgiving and joy, as well as folemn Dirges and Funeral odes.

Some were compofed in times of trouble and fcenes of diftrefs, under Saul's perfecutions, Abfalom's rebellion, and in captivity and bondage, fome fongs of Triumph, after fignal deliverances and fung on folemn feaft days, many are penitential, ingenuous confeffions and deep contrition, and it is pathetically and juftly remarked, that no present pleasure and gratification, could ever counterbalance the mifery, diftraction and fufferings, the Royal Penitent fo exquifitely defcribes in fome of them. How defirable to escape the heart piercing forrow of fuch Repentance, by avoiding Sin, which cofts fuch bitter anguish and contrition.

Thefe fublime hymns breath throughout fo divine an cloquence, you grow devout on reading them, and the Jews gave out, that whofoever would make the trial, and repeat them over three times every day, would farely be inhabi

Thus they reduce

tants of the Heavenly Canaan. righteoufnefs to practice, for while we acquire the fentiments, we perform the offices of devo

tion.