Job 31

Job 31:6

Let me be tried by an upright impartial judge, that God may acknowledge and approve mine integrity. 7, 8. If I have knowingly, willingly, and ordinarily, wandered out of the way of my duty, have indulged my heart in covetousness or lust, or my hands in bribery and injustice, let all that I have be bestowed on others, and my children, plants, and trees be rooted up. 9, 10. If I have been enticed to unclean lust by any woman, or if I have 11 watched for opportunities to defile my neighbour’s bed, let my own wife be slave and a whore to others. —26, 27. If I have beheld the sun or moon with any idolatrons regard, or have had any inward inclination to esteem them a deities, or have given them any external worship. —34. Did ever fear of men terrify me from candid confession of my sin, or from any other duty;—or, if have concealed my faults, let me be overwhelmed with the terror and contempt of men till I be ashamed to be seen. —35—37. O that I had but an impartial judge, and that my accuser would give a written charge! I should prize it as an honour, since every article would then be proved false:—I would, with undesired courage and confidence of success, give a candid account of my past conduct, to see of what he could accuse me

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXI.—How diversified are the forms in which inward corruption breaks forth among mankind. And there is great need of purifying the heart, of solemn dedication to God, of watchfulness over both soul and senses, and of constant, awful, and engaging, impressions of God, to promote an holy and circumspect life. It is highly honourable to be followers of those ancient patriarchs, who through faith and patience inherited the promises. But, alas, that many things, by them held horrid and detestable, are now become common and fashionable!—What dangerous enemies to our souls are fleshly lusts; and they call for especial watchfulness! If we would keep our heart pure, our eye must be single. However unexceptionable our outward conduct appear, there is a God who marks our secret sins; and no impurity of temper can consist with the enjoyment of him. Such as will lodge sin in their heart now must lodge in hell for ever. How rare truly honest men are in this World! None are more to be suspected of fraud than such as are full of talk in their worldly dealings. Honesty needs no varnish. The gains of covetousness, however secret, leave a blot in the sight of God, which nothing but Jesus’ atoning blood can wash away. The fruits of injustice must either be restored, or they will damn us; and they who are conscious of integrity never shun a trial. What a crying sin is adultery; and how damning!—Great humanity and tenderness is due to servants and the poor, who have the same Maker and God as ourselves: and there is great need of grace to wean our hearts from this world, and from every rival of God. It is a hard task to forgive injuries without reluctance. But to rejoice in the fall of an enemy is malicious and murderous. The greatest provocation will never justify our revenge. Hypocritically to hide our sins is destructive to our souls. And it is very dangerous to be partakers with other men in their sins. Let us therefore avoid the fear of man, which causeth a snare. Let us never hear a good cause run down without vindicating it; nor see injustice committed without remonstrating against it. In all our conduct let us study to approve ourselves unto God