He that followeth after righteousness and mercy
Is eager, diligent, and fervent in his pursuit of these things:
"after righteousness"; not a legal righteousness, such as the
Jews followed after, but did not attain to; because they sought
it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, (
Romans 9:31
Romans 9:32 )
; by which there is no righteousness or justification before God;
but an evangelical righteousness, the righteousness of Christ;
see ( Isaiah
51:1 ) . To follow after it is to seek, desire, and thirst
after it, ( Matthew 5:6 ) (
6:33 )
; which supposes a want of righteousness, a sense of that want; a
view of a righteousness without them, even in Christ; a love and
liking of it, and therefore follow after it; it being pure,
perfect, agreeably to the law and justice of God, which justifies
now, and will answer for them in a time to come. And such follow
after "mercy" or "grace" F7; seeing themselves miserable by sin,
and having no merit of their own, apply to God for pardoning
grace and mercy; and seek for righteousness in a way of grace, as
a free gift; and for the whole of salvation in the same way, as
well as for all grace and fresh supplies of it: it may be
understood, in consequence of the former, of a diligent and eager
performance of works of righteousness and mercy, and an earnest
desire after both. And such a man findeth life,
righteousness, and honour;
which is more than he is said to follow after: "life" spiritual,
which he has from Christ by his Spirit, and which is owing to the
grace and mercy of God; and eternal life, through the
righteousness of Christ, in whom it is only to be found, and from
whom all the blessings of life come; who has it in his hands to
give, and does give it to all his people: "righteousness" also he
finds, not in himself, nor by the works of the law, but in
Christ; being directed to him by the Spirit and word of God; and
an excellent finding this is; a robe of righteousness, which he
lays hold upon, puts on, and rejoices in: and likewise "honour",
through relation to God and Christ; through grace received from
them; by enjoying the presence of them, and being made a king and
priest to God; and hereafter will be placed at Christ's right
hand, inherit the kingdom of glory, sit on the same throne with
Christ, and wear the crown of life and righteousness.