From what has been already spoken, it sufficiently appears, that the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was for the most part external and cere- monial ; or, where it seemed to partake of that which was internal and moral, it was merely of a negative kind, and extremely partial in its operation. Now the Christian's righteousness must be totally different from this : it must be internal and spiritual : it must descend into the heart, and have respect to the whole of God's revealed will. The true Christian will affix no limits to his exertions ; he will set no bounds to his heavenly desires. He does not limit the com- mandments to their literal sense, but enters into their spiritual import, and considers a disposition to commit sin as nearly equivalent to the actual commission of it. He considers himself as accountable to God for every inclination, affection, appetite; and endeavours not only to have their general tendencies regulated ac- cording to his law, but to have " every thought brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." In a word, he aspires after perfection of every kind : he desires to love God, as much as to be saved by him ; and to mortify sin, as much as to escape punishment. Could he have his heart's desire, he would be *' holy, as God himself is holy," and " perfect, as God himself is perfect."
Thus, in the nature and extent of the two kinds of righteousness, there is an immense difference : nor is there a less difference in their piinciple and end.
Would we know what was the jwinciple from which the Pharisaic righteousness proceeded ? We can assert, on the most unquestionable authority, even that of Christ himself, that " all their works they did to be seen of men V And St. Paul no less strongly marks the end, to which all their zeal was directed. He con- fesses that ** they had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge : for, being ignorant of God's righteous- ness, they went about to establish their own right- eousness, and would not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God*"." In these respects then we
» Matt, xxiii. 5. i^ Rom. x. 2, 3.