2. That the man that has nothing to commend him to God, but his own
good doings, shall never be in favour with him. This also is evident
from the text: the Pharisee had his own righteousness, but had
nothing else to commend him to God; and therefore could not by that
obtain favour with God, but abode still a rejected one, and in a
state of condemnation.

3. Wherefore, though we are bound by the law of charity to judge of
men according as in appearance they present themselves unto us; yet
withal, to wit, though we do so judge, we must leave room for the
judgment of God. Mercy may receive him that we have doomed to hell,
and justice may take hold on him, whom we have judged to be bound up
in the bundle of life. And both these things are apparent by the
persons under consideration.

We, like Joseph, are for setting of 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 (Gen. xlviii.), to
the amazement and wonderment even of the best of men.

"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