---

It is an act of righteousness to give everyone their own; to God, the things that are God's; to do right to all men, and a man's self also.

I. PIETY TOWARDS GOD consists in these six particulars —

1. Reverence and awful regard of the Divine majesty.

2. The admiring and adoring Him, in His height, excellency, and perfection.

3. Love and delight in Him, because of His grace and goodness and free communication; with thankfulness for His benefits.

4. Trust in God, because of His faithfulness and to give Him credit, because of His approved truth and goodness.

5. Submission to Him, because of His superiority and sovereignty.

6. Duty and service, because of His dominion and property.

II. RIGHTEOUSNESS TOWARDS MEN. That doth comprehend in it good behaviour and equal dealings.

1. In general, it doth take in the obedience and subjection that all inferiors owe to their superiors and governors.

2. That fairness and complacency which ought to be between all those that converse upon terms of equality.

3. That tenderness that ought to be used towards inferiors, or in a worse condition than ourselves.

4. Thank, fulness, where we are beholden.

5. Uprightness with all with whom we have to do.

(1)  In our speeches, truth and honesty.

(2)  Fidelity, where we are credited and trusted.

(3)  Performance of our engagements and undertakings.

(4)  Candour in all our judgments and censures.

(5)  Fair and benign representations of men, and handsome constructions and interpretations: always being ready to take things in the best sense; and to interpret other men's words, as we would they should interpret ours.

(6)  Lowliness and courtesy in our transactions with others.

(7)  Clearness and integrity in all our converse.

(8)  Moderation in our demand of reparation, in case of wrong received.

(9)  Gentleness and calmness, in case of provocation.

(10)  Clemency and compassion towards those that have done us evil.

(11)  Bounty and charity towards those that are in necessity.

(12)  Love and goodwill towards all men.

III. RIGHTEOUSNESS TO OURSELVES.

1. It doth comprehend in it modesty and humility: that is the soul's temper.

2. Sobriety: that is the mind's balance.

3. Temperance and chastity: that is the body's security. More particularly —

(1) The mind equally poised, free from vanity, conceit, intoxication; and the body ordered according to the rules of reason and virtue.

(2) The soul discharged of corroding envy and biting malice; and the body gently used. For as we should not live to feed the beast, which is done by epicurism, and giving way to sensual pleasure: so are we to be merciful to our bodies.

4. The whole man at heart's ease, through Christian courage and resolution; reposing in God's protection and providence; charging ourselves only with the use of lawful means; and when we have done our- duty, leaving the success to God, acknowledging our dependence upon Him, and the need of His blessing. These are instances of righteousness, wherein the inhabitants of the world are to be instructed, when God's judgments are upon the earth.

(B. Whichcote, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

WEB: With my soul have I desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.