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ESUS CHRIST, who has hitherto given the characteristics of a Christian lifer in a more general form, here begins to treat of particular precepts; and, as foundation, He sets down the beautiful principle that Christian 'justice' must ‘surpass that’ of the most perfect amongst the Jews and their Doctors of the Law. We must therefore be most careful here to understand the full perfection of the Gospel Law, which we swore to observe at our baptism.

To show us our obligations, Christ carefully raises us to the perfection of Christian virtue by three degrees.

First, we are to rise above the wisest of the Pagans, for which reason he said, 'Do not even