302 Chap. 9. An Expofition upon theBook of J OB. VerI2i. Ken nofcerea - but the knowledge ofoffentation,whereby we are proud of, or truft "'am, phrafrs upon what we are. We have an ordinary raying amongft us, winch reacheth this fenfefully,Such a woman is beautiful, and e t,.ritum rei de- fpe£lumprx fe knows it ; filch a one is a proper man, áuel he knows h ; Such fert,utillam :e. a one bath many good, a very fine wit, and he knows it that tram refpicere is,fuch perfons pride and lift themfelves up in their perfeaions. art aliquo mo You 1hall Kaye a foul that will know it felf into I know nothow quit much ride ; many Rand refleEtin upon their own erfec` ions sártcgt, p Y g P p : either external, how proper, ftrong and beautiful they are ; or internal, howwitty and eloquent they are, what excellent parts and gifts, what a nimble tongue, what found judgments they have, till they lofe Chriftin this croud of themfelves. This is a dangerous knowledge, a knowledge worfe then ignorance. Bet- ter be without knowledge thenknow our knowledgethus.As to reflca upon fin, to know our felves in our unbeleif, vanity and pallions, &c. humble us : And a foul in confeffing of fin before God, looks long upon his dark part, upon his wants and failings, for thisend, that he may be humbled : fo to reflex upon our good deeds or graces, to know our felves in thofe adornings of love, patience, humility, faith, Û-c. hazzards us uponpride ;;and tome Rand gazing fo long upon thefe excellencies, drat theyare lifted up,and become very proud. Thus all men who are proud in fpirituals,Know their own fouls. So fob would net know his ownfoul. Hence obferve, that 1 gracious heart rejoyceth in nothingbut in the righteoufnefs of Chrijtalone. He will not knowhis foul in his own perfe6tions.A godly man wouldhave God know him in the worft, but he will r tknow himfelfin thebelt. He would not have a fin hid from/God, but he would hide all his goodnefs from himfelf. Ha will know eve- ry good thing before he doth it, but when 'tisdone he caresnot to know it any more. So the Apoftle (Phil. 3.8,9.) 1 account all things but lot fefor the excellency of the knowledge of Chriff Jefus my Lord, for whom Ihavefufered the loft ofall things, and do count them but dotng,that I may win Chrif, andmay befoundin him, not havingmine own righteoufnefs, which is ofthe law, &c. Paul the Ipoflle would not know Paul the Pharifee. Legal °righteoufefs was lofs to him, when he had foundChriti : Legal righteoufnefs was dung to him,whenhe had alight ofrighteoufinefs by Quiff. The
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