An exposition with practical observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the eighth, ninth and tenth chapters of…

He is a tree, green before the Sun, and shooting forth his branches in his garden.

Secondly, Note, That the thriving of hypocrites, their greenness and flourishing, is only outward.

Secondly, Note, That the thriving of hypocrites, their greennesse and flourishing, is only outward.

The tree is green before the Sun, but he is withered in his soul. Hypocrites do all before the Sun, to be seen, or in the sight of men. They are of those who rebel against the light, which would keep them from sin, and they say, No eye sees us, while they are sinning. But they love the light which shows any good they do; then they say, O that all eyes did see us. Pharisees pray in the markets, and blow a trumpet when they give alms, that the ears of all, as well as the bellies of the poor, may be filled with their charity. Come, see my zeal, saith Jehu. Moses was faithful, but he never said, Come, see my fidelity. Joshua was valiant in the battles of the Lord, yet he never said, Come, see my fortitude. The upright heart cares not to be thus before the Sun: He delights in secret holiness. His goodness is not less prized, or less pleasing to him, because it is hidden. He takes infinitely more content in being and doing good, then in being known to be or do good.

The tree is green before the Sunne, but he is withered in his soul. Hypocrites do all before the Sunne, to be seen, or in the sight of men. They are of those who rebell against the light, which would keep them from sinne, and they say, No eye sees us, while they are sinning. But they love the light which shews any good they doe; then they say, O that all eyes did see us. Pharisees pray in the markets, and blow a trumpet when they give alms, that the ears of all, as well as the bellies of the poor, may be filled with their charity. Come, see my zeal, saith Jehu. Moses was faithfull, but he never said, Come, see my fidelity. Joshua was valiant in the battles of the Lord, yet he never said, Come, see my fortitude. The upright heart cares not to be thus before the Sunne: He delights in secret holinesse. His goodnesse is not lesse priz'd, or lesse pleasing to him, because it is hidden. He takes infinitely more content in being and doing good, then in being known to be or doe good.