2. The Pharisees were a very antient sect, or body of men, among the _Jews_: originally so called from the _Hebrew_ word ‏פרש‎, which signifies, to separate or divide. Not that they made any formal separation from, or division in the national church. They were only distinguished from others, by greater strictness of life, by more exactness of conversation. For they were zealous of the law in the minutest points; paying tithes of mint, anise and cummin. And hence they were had in honour of all the people, and generally esteemed the holiest of men. Many of the Scribes were of the sect of the Pharisees. Thus St. _Paul_ himself, who was educated for a Scribe, first at the university of _Tarsus_, and after that in _Jerusalem_, at the feet of _Gamaliel_ (one of the most learned Scribes or doctors of the law that were then in the nation) declares of himself before the council, [93]_I am a Pharisee the son of a Pharisee_: and before king _Agrippa, [94]After the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee_. And the whole body of the Scribes generally esteemed and acted in concert with the Pharisees. Hence we find our Saviour so frequently coupling them together, as coming in many respects under the same consideration. In this place they seem to be mentioned together, as the most eminent professors of religion: the former of whom were accounted the wisest, the latter the holiest of men. 3. What _the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees_ really was, it is not difficult to determine. Our Lord has preserved an authentic account, which one of them gave of himself. And he is clear and full in describing his own righteousness; and cannot be supposed to have omitted any part of it. He _went up_ indeed _into the temple to pray_: but was so intent upon his own virtues, that he forgot the design upon which he came. For ’tis remarkable, he does not properly pray at all. He only tells God, how wise and good he was. 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._ His righteousness therefore consisted of three parts, first, saith he, _I am not as other men are_. I am not an _extortioner_, not _unjust_, not an _adulterer_; not _even as this Publican_. Secondly, _I fast twice in the week_; and thirdly, _give tithes of all that I possess_.