Prov. xii. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour.
MEN in their external appearance are alike ; so far at least, that their moral character cannot with any accuracy be determined by it. But God, who searches the heart, sees an immense difference be- tween different men ; such a difference as suffices to arrange them all under two great classes — the right- eous and the wicked. In the righteous he finds an excellency which he in vain looks for in others ; and to point out this superior excellency is my object, in this discourse. But liere it is proper to observe, that Solomon does not draw the comparison between a righteous and a notoriously raickecl man ; but between a righteous man and "his neighbour," however excel- lent that neighbour may be : for, if there be in any man a want of positive and inherent righteousness, whatever else he may possess, he must be classed with the wicked : and with such only will my present comparison be instituted.
" The righteous man, then, is more excellent than his neighbour ;"
I. In his connexions —
A truly righteous man is born of God —
[This is frequently and fully declared in the Holy Scrip- tures^ and though he be the poorest man upon earth,
he is entitled to address his God under the endearing name of Father.]
He is united to Christ —
[He is united to him as a building to the foundation^; as a wife to her husband *= ; as a branch to the vine"^ ; as a member to the body*^. There is no other union so close and intimate, except that which subsists between God the Father and the Lord Jesus ^: for he is not only one body with him, but one spirit also^: for Christ lives in him'^, and is his very life'.]
a Johni. 12. andiii. 5. and 1 John iii. 1. ^1 Pet. ii. 4, 5.
« Eph. V. 32. Rev. xxi. 9. ^ John xv. 1.
e Eph. V. 30. f John xvii. 21, 23. s 1 Cor. vi. 17.
•' Gal. ii. 20. * Col. iii. 4.