An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

First, Thus, I am perfect, &c. that is, my heart is upright, and I have ever prized and valued mine own integrity at such a rate,¹ that in comparison thereof, I have not at all regarded, or prized my own life or soul, that is, the greatest comforts and sweetest enjoyments of my life. My life is but a trifle to my conscience. And so the meaning is, like that (Deut. 33.9.) where the word know, is used in this sense, concerning Levi, Who said to his father and mother I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children. Levi slighted all relations, when they stood in competition with the discharge of that duty, which the Lord called him to, he knew neither father, nor mother, nor brother, nor child, one nor other, he had no regard at all to them, so he might do the vvill of God. This was the commendation of Levi, and the privilege of the Priest-hood was assigned to that Tribe upon this service. Grace vvill not hearken to the cry of nature, when it hears the call of God. Job is conceived to speak here at the same rate, as Levi did, or higher, I am upright and perfect in heart toward God, and such hath my perfection and uprightness been, that I have not known my own soul, I have not regarded any self-interests, which have stood in the way of my obedience unto God, or justice toward man. His friends charged him, as if he had been a corrupt Judge, or an oppressor of the poor; I (saith he) am so far from valuing worldly goods or riches beyond my own integrity, that I do not value my life to my integrity. The Apostle Paul makes a like profession (Act. 20.24.) His spirit was never so free and royal, as when he was going bound in spirit to Jerusalem; The Spirit witnessing to him, that bonds and afflictions did abide him in every City. None of these things (saith he) move me, neither count I my ⟨p. 304⟩life dear (I will not know my life, let it go which way it vvill) so I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus. Paul was none of your poor merchants, who are afraid of their skins. Pauls life was cheap in his thoughts, when he was to make an adventure for Christ; he (as Job here) would not know his life, for the omission of a necessary known duty, or the commission of a known sin.