An exposition of the prophecy of Hosea begun in divers lectures upon the first…An exposition of the prophesie of Hosea begun in divers lectures vpon the first…

And if God be not only satisfied in doing good to his people, but he will have the world know it, and be convinced of it; Let the people of God then not be satisfied only in having their hearts upon God, but let the world know that they love God too. You must do that that may make it appear to all the world, that you are the children of the living God. Let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works may glorify your Father which is in heaven. It is one thing to do a thing that may be seen, and another thing to do a thing that it may be seen. And yet Gods people may do both, not do good only that may be seen, but (if they keep still the glory of God above in their eye, as the highest aim) they may desire and be willing too that it may be seen to the praise of God. But this I confess requireth some strength of grace to do it, and yet to keep the heart upright. The excellency of grace doth consist not in casting off the outward comforts of the world, but to know how to enjoy them, and to over-rule them unto God: so the strength of grace doth consist, not in forbearing of such actions as are taken notice of by men, or not to dare to aim at the publishing of those things that have excellency in them; but the strength of grace consists in this, in having the heart enabled to do this, and yet to keep it under too, and to keep God above in his right place.

And if God be not onely satisfied in doing good to his people, but hee will have the world know it, and be convinced of it; Let the people of God then not be satisfied onely in having their hearts upon God, but let the world know that they love God too. You must do that that may make it appeare to all the world, that you are the children of the living God. Let your light so shine before men, that they seeing your good works may glorifie your Father which is in heaven. It is one thing to do a thing that may be seene, and another thing to do a thing that it may be seen. And yet Gods people may do both, not do good onely that may be seen, but (if they keepe still the glory of God above in their eye, as the highest ayme) they may desire and be willing too that it may be seene to the praise of God. But this I confesse requireth some strength of grace to do it, and yet to keep the heart upright. The excellency of grace doth consist not in casting off the outward comforts of the world, but to know how to enjoy them, and to over-rule them unto God: so the strength of grace doth consist, not in forbearing of such actions as are taken notice of by men, or not to dare to ayme at the publishing of those things that have excellency in them; but the strength of grace consists in this, in having the heart enabled to do this, and yet to keepe it under too, and to keep God above in his right place.