First, A true Nathaniel in his constant course, labours in all duties and services to be approved and accepted of God; he is most studious and in dustrious to approve his heart to God in all that he puts his hand to. So David, Search me, O God, and know my 1heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting. So Peter 2approves his heart to Christ three several times together. Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; Lord thou knowest that I love thee; Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. ⟨p. 296⟩Thou knowest the sincerity and reality of my love, and therefore to thee I do appeal; to the same purpose the Apostle speaks in 2 Cor. 5. 9. Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. The Greek word that is here translated labour, is a3 very emphatical word, it signifies to labour, or endeavour with all earnestness and might, to endeavour with a high and holy ambition, to be accepted of God; judging it the greatest honour in the world, to be owned and accepted of the Lord. Ambitious men are not more diligent, earnest, studious, and laborious to get honour among men, then we are (saith the Apostle) to get acceptance with God. Ah but your most4 refined Hypocrites labour only to approve themselves to men in their Praying, Fasting, Talking, Hearing, Giving, &c. Let them have but mans eye to see them, and mans ear to hear them, and mans tongue to commend them, and mans hand to reward them, and they will sit down and bless themselves, saying it is enough; Ah, ha, so would we have it. They say of the Nightingale, that when she is solitary in ⟨p. 297⟩the Woods, she is careless of her note, but when she conceives that she hath any auditors, or is near houses, then she composes her self more quaintly and elegantly. Verily this is the frame and temper of the best of Hypocrites. O but a sincere Nathaniel 5labours in all places, and in all cases and services to approve himself to God; he labours as much to approve himself to God in a Wood, where no eye sees him, as he doth when the eyes of thousands are sixth upon him. The Sun would shine bright, though all men were a sleep at High noon, and no eyes open to see the glory of his Beams; so a sincere heart will shine, he will labour to do good, though all the world should shut their eyes; yet he will eye his work, and eye his God;
First, A true Nathaniel in his constant course, labors in all duties and services to be approved and accepted of God; he is most stud•ous and in dustrious to approve his heart to God in all that he puts his hand to. So David, Search me, O God, and know my 1heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting. So Peter 2approves his heart to Christ three several times together. Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; Lord thou knowest that I love thee; Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. ⟨p. 296⟩Thou knowest the sincerity and reality of my love, and therefore to thee I do appeal; to the same purpose the Apostle speaks in 2 Cor. 5. 9. Wherefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. The Greek word that is here translated labor, is a3 very emphatical word, it signifies to labor, or endeavor with all earnestness and might, to endeavor with a high and holy ambition, to be accepted of God; judging it the greatest honor in the world, to be owned and accepted of the Lord. Ambitious men are not more diligent, earnest, studious, and laborious to get honor among men, then we are (saith the Apostle) to get acceptance with God. Ah but your most4 refined Hypocrites labor onely to approve themselves to men in their Praying, Fasting, Talking, Hearing, Giving, &c. Let them have but mans eye to see them, and mans ear to hear them, and mans tongue to commend them, and mans hand to reward them, and they will sit down and bless themselves, saying it is enough; Ah, ha, so would we have it. They say of the Nightingale, that when she is solitary in ⟨p. 297⟩the Woods, she is careless of her note, but when she conceives that she hath any auditors, or is near houses, then she composes her self more quaintly and elegantly. Verily this is the frame and temper of the best of Hypocrites. O but a sincere Nathaniel 5labors in all places, and in all cases and services to approve himself to God; he labors as much to approve himself to God in a Wood, where no eye sees him, as he doth when the eyes of thousands are fixt upon him. The Sun would shine bright, though all men were a sleep at High noon, and no eyes open to see the glory of his Beams; so a sincere heart will shine, he will labor to do good, though all the world should shut their eyes; yet he will eye his work, and eye his God;
- 1Psal. 139. 23, 24 [Greek or Hebrew]Psal. 139. 23, 24 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 2To make a strict search and inquisition. John 21. 15, 16, 17.
- 3[Greek or Hebrew]〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 4Ma•th. 6. & 23. Also it is Chrysostoms observation, that she that paints tears and blubberings, is worse then a wanton woman that paints to seem fair. Hom. 6. in Matth.
- 5Noli peccare, Deus videt, angeli astant. Take •eed what thou doest, God beholds thee, Angels observe thee, saith one
