the most upright persons need to be cautioned against it, because there is not any thing more destructive in its issue. It deprives us of all the benefit of whatever good we do ; yea, it makes even the death of Christ of no effect 'i : we can never therefore be too strongly guarded against it. We may have much zeal of this kind : but it is a zeal without knowledge. Nor is there any salvation for us, unless, like the holy Apostle, we renounce it utterly''.]
Having explained at large the import of this caution, we shall,
II. Subjoin some advice —
We fear that, however great occasion there may be to caution sincere people against erroneous methods of exercising their religion, there is far more occasion to exhort the world in general to pay some attention to their duty. Our first advice therefore is,
1. Be truly righteous —
[They who are most ready to quote the text, are, for the most part, those who are adverse to the exercise of all religion. And when they exclaim, ' Be not righteous over-much,' their meaning is, ' Be not righteous at alV They would be far better pleased to see all walking in the broad road, than to be put to shame by those who are walking in the narrow path. But let no scoffs keep you from the performance of your duty. If the world set themselves against religion, let not that deter any upright soul. Our Lord has taught us to expect that our " greatest foes would be those of our own household." Let us not be discouraged if we find it so. Let our inquiry be. What is duty? and, having found that, let nothing turn us aside. Let us not be satisfied with the degree of righteousness which the world approves. Let us examine the Scripture to see what God requires. Let us see how the saints of old served God ; and let us labour in every thing to " do his will on earth, even as it is done in heaven," This is a conduct which will tend, not to our destruction, but salvation. To act otherwise will issue in our ruin ; since " Whosoever doth not righteousness is not of God'." But to walk after this rule is to ensure pre- sent and everlasting peace.]
2. Be wisely righteous —
[" It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing ;" and to " maintain a conscience void of offence towards both God and man." But we are far from recommending a
q Gal. v. 4. r Phil. iii. 9. s 1 John iii. 10.