I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; I have
not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.--Psalm xl. 9.
It is said, to the immortal honour of Noah, that he was a preacher
of righteousness to the Old World:[52] but as the glory of the
latter dispensation far exceeds that of the former,[53] so is its
founder greatly distinguished from all the prophets and teachers
under the Jewish economy. We find Jesus actively engaged in
preaching his own gospel, whenever opportunity offered, free from
the trammels of form, and the circumscribed rules of human order.
We see him in the temple, and the field; in the synagogue, and on
a mountain; in the crowded street, and the wilderness; in the
house, and by the sea shore: at one time to the crowded throng, and
then to the little troop of disciples; now to learned rabbies and
rulers, and then to a few fishermen of Galilee; but in every place
and company he was a preacher of righteousness. He did not refrain
his lips from fear of man. He did not hesitate to publish doctrines
necessary to be known, because they were of a kind likely to be
ungraciously received. He shunned not to proclaim the whole truth;
whether men would hear, or whether they would forbear. Again, look
at him as a preacher of righteousness. All he taught was pure and
undefiled as the light of heaven. He did not flatter one vice, or
countenance one folly. He described sin as hateful to God, whether
in the priest or people, the ruler or the ruled. He taught the Jews,
who rested in the mere letter of the law, that it is of a spiritual
nature, "extending not only to the outward actions," but to the
"thoughts and intents of the heart." He inculcated obedience, not on
the narrow principle of self love, or to gain the praise of man; but
he insisted, that it can only be acceptable to God when springing
from a principle of love to God and man. He did not instruct his
hearers to keep a fair exterior only, but he went at once to the
seat of iniquity, the human heart; and declared that the fountain
must be first cleansed before the streams can be made pure. Again,
we behold him as a preacher of righteousness, declaring that "except
our righteousness exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, we
cannot enter the kingdom of heaven." He taught that we must be
clothed with a better righteousness than our tattered rags, ere we
can be allowed to sit down at the "marriage supper of the Lamb,"
where all the guests are arrayed in "fine linen, clean and white,"
which fine linen is the "righteousness of the saints." This wedding
garment is provided by the Lord of the feast, and is the spotless
robe of Jesus's perfect and complete righteousness.
[52] 2 Peter ii. 5.
[53] Heb. xii. 18-24.