209. II. THE SECOND OF CHARITY IS TO DO GOOD TO THE NEIGHBOR. [Quote] from Isaiah, chapter I.; and concerning the cup and platter, the inside of which must first be cleansed. If not cleansed they may yet appear good outwardly. This is a Pharisaic or hypocritical good, or a certain natural good in which there is not spiritual good, and so it is spurious; and if done for the sake of salvation, it is meritorious good. But these things should be illustrated in this order:
(I.) To will not to do evil to the neighbor is to love him. (II.) To will to do good to the neighbor is to love him. (III.) As far as a man does not will to do evil to the neighbor, so far he wills to do him good from charity, and not vice versa. (IV.) It follows from this that the first of charity is to look to the Lord and shun evils as sins; and that the second of charity is to do good to the neighbor.
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