The ordinances
Second, do not let your righteousness fall short of theirs with regard to the ordinances of God. If your labor or bodily strength will not allow you to fast twice in the week, still deal faithfully with your own soul, and fast as often as your strength will permit. Omit no public, no private opportunity of pouring out your soul in prayer. Neglect no occasion of eating that bread and drinking that cup which is the communion of the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). Be diligent in searching the Scriptures. Read as you are able, and meditate in them day and night. Rejoice to take every opportunity of hearing the word of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19) declared by the ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), the stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1). In using all the means of grace, in a constant and careful attendance on every ordinance of God, live up to, at least until you can go beyond, the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
1771 text
Secondly, Let not thy righteousness fall short of theirs, with regard to the ordinances of God. If thy labour or bodily strength will not allow of thy fasting twice in the week, however deal faithfully with thy own soul, and fast as often as thy strength will permit. Omit no public, no private opportunity, of pouring out thy soul in prayer. Neglect no occasion of eating that bread and drinking that cup, which is the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Be diligent in searching the scriptures; read as thou mayest, and meditate therein day and night. Rejoice to embrace every opportunity, of hearing the word of reconciliation declared by the ambassadors of Christ, the stewards of the mysteries of God. In using all the means of grace, in a constant and careful attendance on every ordinance of God, live up to (at least, till thou canst go beyond) the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 25 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:17-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.