An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

As for the third sort of righteousness, that of being righteous in our own eyes we must distinguish; Job was indeed righteous in his own eyes in a good sense, and that under a twofold consideration; First, as not having committed any gross or scandalous act of wickedness, as he professed at large and with much confidence in that apology and vindication which he made for himself in the Chapter foregoing; where he calls down the severest judgements of God upon himself, if he had done such things as he was suspected of, especially if he had defiled himself with those common pollutions of the world, wantonness, injustice and oppression. Job stood upon it that he was thus righteous. Secondly, Job was righteous in his own eyes, as to the allowing of himself in any the least sin or unevenness, either of heart or life; Thus much his protestation or imprecation amounts to in the 33d verse of that Chapter; If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom; As if he had said, I have not lived in the love of any sin whatsoever. Thus Job was righteous in his own eyes, protesting to God and before men, that as he was not scandalously wicked in any kind, so he was not closely nor hypocritically wicked; every sin was his burden, and the abhorrence of his soul. In any other sense Job was far from being righteous in his own eyes; He never either said or thought he had done no evil, or was altogether sin-less, like white paper without blot or blur; yea we very often find him confessing his sins and failings (Chap. 7.20.) I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee thou preserver of men? He maketh a like acknowledgement (Chap. 9.2.) I know it is so of a truth, but how shall man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Again (ver. 20.) If I justify my self, my mouth shall condemn me: If I say I am perfect, ⟨p. 6⟩it shall also prove me perverse. And while he affirms the general viciousness of nature, he must needs imply his own (Chap. 15.14.) What is man that he should be clean? and he which is, borne of a woman, that he should be righteous? Behold he putteth no trust in his Saints, yea the heavens are not clean in his sight, how much more abominable and filthy is man?

As for the third sort of righteousnesse, that of being righteous in our owne eyes we must distinguish; Job was indeed righteous in his owne eyes in a good sence, and that under a twofold consideration; First, as not having committed any gross or scandalous act of wickednesse, as he professed at large and with much confidence in that apologie and vindication which he made for himselfe in the Chapter foregoing; where he calls downe the severest judgements of God upon himselfe, if he had done such things as he was suspected of, especially if he had defiled himselfe with those common polutions of the world, wantonnesse, injustice and oppression. Job stood upon it that he was thus righteous. Secondly, Job was righteous in his owne eyes, as to the allowing of himselfe in any the least sin or unevennesse, either of heart or life; Thus much his protestation or imprecation amounts to in the 33d verse of that Chapter; If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosome; As if he had said, I have not lived in the love of any sin whatsoever. Thus Job was righteous in his owne eyes, protesting to God and before men, that as he was not scandalously wicked in any kinde, so he was not closely nor hypocritically wicked; every sin was his burden, and the abhorrence of his soule. In any other sence Job was far from being righteous in his owne eyes; He never either said or thought he had done no evill, or was altogether sin-lesse, like white paper without blot or blur; yea we very often find him confessing his sins and failings (Chap. 7.20.) I have sinned; what shall I doe unto thee thou preserver of men? He maketh a like acknowledgement (Chap. 9.2.) I know it is so of a truth, but how shall man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. Againe (ver. 20.) If I justifie my selfe, my mouth shall condemne me: If I say I am perfect,