CHAPTER I.

JOB-SOLOMON-CYRUS-CONFUCIUS- SOCRATES-STEPHEN

THE PROTOMARTYR-THE APOSTLE PAUL-IGNATIUS-POLYCARP-LOUIS IX. KING OF FRANCE-POPE EUGENIUS-CARDINAL BEAUFORT-CÆSAR BORGIA.

SECTION I.

THE PATRIARCH JOB.

THIS venerable patriarch was so eminent an instance of the power of religion on the mind, under the most trying afflictions, that a short account of him may properly introduce these memoirs.

In the first part of his days, this distinguished person was "the greatest of all the men of the East." His possessions were large; his family was numerous and flourishing; his own character was fair and blameless: yet this person it pleased God to visit with extraordinary reverses of fortune. He was robbed of his whole substance.

His sons and daughters all perished; and he himself, fallen from his high estate, childless and reduced to poverty, was smitten with sore disease. His friends came about him, seemingly with the purpose of administering comfort; but, from a harsh and ill-founded construction of the intention of Providence, in his disasters, they only added to his sorrows, by unjust upbraiding.

In distress so poignant, what was the temper of this good man? Fully persuaded that all blessings come from God, who has a right to withhold or distribute them, as he sees best, he piously exclaims: "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!"

To his other calamities, this domestic affliction was added, that his wife, who ought to have soothed and alleviated his sorrows, provoked his indignation, by an impious speech. What firmness and resignation are marked in his answer to her! "Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" Though he forcibly felt the deplorable condition to which he was reduced, and most pathetically described and bewailed it, yet no doubt of divine goodness, no murmur against Providence, was suffered to rise in his mind. "In all this Job sinned not with his lips, nor charged God foolishly."

At length, the goodness of that God whom he served, and who had secretly supported him. under all his sufferings, broke forth upon him. with increased energy; and, like a cheering sun dispersing the surrounding gloom, again gladdened his heart with returning peace and prosperity. His riches were restored to him twofold. The loss of his former children was repaired by a new offspring. His name became again renowned in the East; "and the latter end of Job was more blessed than the beginning."

SECTION II.

SOLOMON.

SOLOMON is one of the most interesting and extraordinary characters mentioned in the sacred Scriptures. The advice which this prince received from his father David, a short time before his decease, is very remarkable; and doubtless made a deep impression on his mind: "Thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father; and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind for the Lord searcheth all hearts. If thou seek him he will be found of thee: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."

This king having made a great and solemn offering to God, soon after his accession to the throne, the Lord was well pleased with his piety and zeal; and desired him to "ask what he should give him." Humbled under the sense of the goodness of God to him, and of his incapacity to govern so numerous a people, he declared that "he was but a little child:" and, instead of riches and honor, and length of days, he desired that God would bestow upon him wisdom and knowledge, that he might pru

dently and happily rule the nation over which he had placed him. This choice was so much approved by the Almighty, that he gave him a wise and understanding heart, and added riches and honor to the gift.

Solomon was directed by God to build him a temple at Jerusalem: and this order he faithfully executed. The prayer which he made at the dedication of this grand edifice, breathes the most devout and humble disposition, and the most ardent desire for the real happiness of his people. One can scarcely ever peruse it, without feeling a degree of the same pious ardor which pervaded and animated the breast of the royal supplicant on that solemn occasion. At this moment, he shone in his highest lustre: nor can we conceive any thing upon earth more dignified and majestic, than his deportment on the dedication of this sacred structure. We are compelled to revere the character of the monarch, who with such uncommon zeal, stood before his nobles, his princes, and his people, as a preacher of righteousness, and as a priest of the most high God.

This illustrious prince, however, at one period of his life, so far mistook the source of true happiness, as to flatter himself with the hope of great enjoyments from the world. He sought for and obtained all the means of pleasure; but found himself, in the end, greatly disappointed. The result of this search and experiment, he gives us, in these