Thus, to do no harm, to do good, to attend the ordinances of God, (the righteousness of a Pharisee) are all external: whereas, on the contrary, poverty of spirit, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst after righteousness, the love of our neighbour, and purity of heart, (the righteousness of a Christian) are all internal. And even peace-making (or doing good) and suffering for righteousness sake, stand intitled to the blessings annext to them, only as they imply these inward dispositions, as they spring from, exercise and confirm them. So that whereas the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was external only, it may be said, in some sense that the righteousness of a Christian is internal only: all his actions and sufferings being as nothing in themselves, being estimated before God only by the tempers from which they spring.
12. *Whosoever therefore thou art, who bearest the holy and venerable name of a Christian, see, first that thy righteousness fall not short of the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees. Be _not_ thou _as other men are_. Dare to stand alone, to be
“Against example, singularly good?”
If thou _follow a multitude_ at all, it must be, _to do evil_. Let not custom or fashion be thy guide; but reason and religion. The practice of others is nothing to thee: _every man_ must _give an account of himself to_ God. Indeed if thou canst save the soul of another, do: but at least, save one, thy own. Walk not in the path of death, because it is broad, and many walk therein. Nay, by this very token thou mayest know it. Is the way wherein thou now walkest, a broad, well-frequented, fashionable way? Then it infallibly leads to destruction. O be not thou “damned for company:” cease from evil; fly from sin as from the face of a serpent. At least, do no harm. _He that committeth sin is of the devil._ Be not thou found in that number. Touching outward sins, surely the grace of God is even now sufficient for thee. _Herein_ at least, _exercise_ thyself _to have a conscience void of offence, toward_ God _and toward man_.
Secondly, Let not thy righteousness fall short of theirs, with regard to the ordinances of God. If thy labour or bodily strength will not allow of thy fasting _twice in the week_, however deal faithfully with thy own soul, and fast as often as thy strength will permit. Omit no public, no private opportunity, of pouring out thy soul in prayer. Neglect no occasion of eating that bread and drinking that cup, which is the communion of the body and blood of _Christ_. Be diligent in searching the scriptures; read as thou mayest, and meditate therein day and night. Rejoice to embrace every opportunity, of hearing _the word of reconciliation_ declared by _the ambassadors of_ Christ, _the stewards of the mysteries of_ God. In using all the means of grace, in a constant and careful attendance on every ordinance of God, live up to (at least, till thou canst go beyond) _the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees_.
Thirdly, Fall not short of a Pharisee in doing good. Give alms of all thou dost possess. Is any hungry? Feed him. Is he a-thirst? Give him drink. Naked? Cover him with a garment. If thou hast this world’s goods, do not limit thy beneficence to a scanty proportion. Be merciful to the uttermost of thy power. Why not, even as this Pharisee? Now _make thyself friends_, while the time is, _of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when_ thou _failest_, when this earthly tabernacle is dissolved, they _may receive thee into everlasting habitations_.
13. But rest not here. Let thy _righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees_. Be not thou content, to _keep the whole law, and offend in one point. Hold thou fast all his commandments, and all false ways_ do thou _utterly abhor_. Do all the things, whatsoever he hath commanded, and that with all thy might. Thou canst do all things through _Christ_ strengthning thee, though without him thou canst do nothing.