Chap. 9. An Expoftion upon the Bookof J O B. Vert: 2t. 393 ThePharisee (IA,' 8.) had all upon account, and he hoped to make good gain upon his accounts : he knew how many alms he had given, how well hepaid his tithes, andhhow often he had fatted. He made a hock of thofe things, and put them among his treafures, which Paul made his lofs,and put among the dung. He that thus knows his own foul, bathno true knowledge of ,Jesus Chrift. So much ofthis 21 'verse, as it is a fuppof tion, and hath con- nexion with the words fore-going. As it refers to what follows. Thewords are rendred in the formofa pofition, I am perfel't, I know not myfoul, Idefpife my life. And fo divers interpreta- tions are given of it. Firttthus,Iam perfetl, &'c. that is, my heart is u prigh t, and I have ever prized and valued mineown integrity at fuck a rate that incomparifon thereof, I havenot at all regarded, or prized Non nor,:an my own life or foul, that is, the greateft comforts and fweeteft m:m pre rots: enjoyments ofmy life. My life it but a trifle to my conJcience. And grirate flea, 1. fo the meaning is, like that)Peut. 33. 9.) whçre the word know, e.ea integritatc is ufed in this [enfe,concerningLevi,Who faiel to'bisfather andmo- fpm,ut nunquaur ther I have tfeen bim, neitherdid he acknowledge bis brethren,nor anim'e outvt- know bis own Children. Levi fleighted all relations, when they abduci poue -stood in competition with thedifcharge of that duty, which the ,imab inrcgri Lord called him to, he knew neither father, nor mother nor bro- meneo. ther, nor child, onenor other, he had no regard at all to them, fo he might do the will of God. This um& the commendation of Levi;and the priviledt,e ofthe Prieft -hood was afli ned to that Tribe upon this fervice. Grace will not hearken to the cry ofna- ture, when it hears the call of God. yob is conceived to fpeak here at the fame rate, as Levi did,or higher, I am upright andper- fell in heart towardGod, and loath my pe>fei3ion andupright- nefs been,that I have not known myownfoul,Ihave not regardedany Pelf-intereffs,w.hich haveftood.in the way of my obedience unto God,or juf#ice towardman. His friends charged him as if he had beena corrupt Judge,or an oppreffour of the poor I (faith he) am fo far from valuing worldly goods or riches beyond my own integrity, that I do not value my life to my integrity. The Apoitle Paul makes alike profel on(All. 20. 24..) His fpirit was fo free and royall,as When he was going bound in fpirit to yerufalem;iiheSpi rit witneffing to him,that bonds and afffielions did abide him in every City. Non,eof these things (faithhe) move me, neither count I my dife
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