Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1851 edition. Excerpt: ... THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED. 19 up in the bundle of life. And both these things are apparent by the persons under consideration. We, like Joseph, are for setting Manasseh before Ephraim; but God, like Jacob, puts his hands across, and lays his right hand upon the worst man's head, and his left hand upon the best, to the amazement and wonderment even of the best of men. Gen. xlviii. CHAPTER II. The Pharisee's Definition Of Righteousness. "two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." In these words many things are worth the noting. As, First, The Pharisee's Definition Of Righteousness. The which standeth in two things: 1. In negatives; 2. In positives. 1. In negatives; that is, what a man that is righteous must not be. "I am no extortioner, no unjust man, no adulterer, nor yet as this Publican." 2. In positives; that is, what a man that is righteous must be. "I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess," &c. That righteousness standeth in negative and positive holiness, is true; but that the Pharisee's definition is, notwithstanding, false, will be manifest by and by. But I will first treat of righteousness in the general, because the text leadeth me to it. 1. First then; A man that is righteous, must have negative holiness; that is, he must not live in actual transgressions; he must not be an extortioner, unjust, an adulterer, or as the Publican was. And this the apostle intends, when he saith, "Flee fornication, "Flee youthful lusts," "Flee from idolatry;" and, ...
