Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst
Not after the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world, but
after righteousness;
by which is meant, not justice and equity, as persons oppressed
and injured; nor a moral, legal righteousness, which the
generality of the Jewish nation were eagerly pursuing; but the
justifying righteousness of Christ, which is imputed by God the
Father, and received by faith. To "hunger and thirst" after this,
supposes a want of righteousness, which is the case of all men; a
sense of want of it, which is only perceived by persons
spiritually enlightened; a discovery of the righteousness of
Christ to them, which is made in the Gospel, and by the Spirit of
God; a value for it, and a preference of it to all other
righteousness; and an earnest desire after it, to be possessed of
it, and found in it; and that nothing can be more grateful than
that, because of its perfection, purity, suitableness, and use:
happy souls are these,
for they shall be filled:
with that righteousness, and with all other good things, in
consequence of it; and particularly with joy and peace, which are
the certain effects of it: or, "they shall be satisfied", that
they have an interest in it; and so satisfied with it, that they
shall never seek for any other righteousness, as a justifying
one, in the sight of God; this being full, perfect, sufficient,
and entirely complete.