§. 174. Of Gods working that which is well-pleasing in his sight.
THe Apostle further addeth in his prayer this clause, Working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, both to shew the ground of their ability to do a good work; and also the consequence that followeth thereupon.
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1. The ground thereof is, Gods working in them.
a 1.1 The Greek word translated [working] is a word of sundry significations. It signifieth to do, to perform, to work, to make, &c. It is used not onely to set forth mans making a thing out of some matter, but also Gods creating of the world of nothing, as in this phrase, He made the worlds, Heb. 1. 2. It is a divine and migh∣ty work that is here intended: a kinde of Creation. For man is utterly unable of himself to do that which is well pleasing in Gods sight, and thereupon to do any good work, We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves, 2 Cor 3. 5. The Apostle therefore doth seasonably adde this of Gods working in them, to direct them whence to seek ability for doing that which he required them to do. Of mans disability to do Gods will, See, The Guide to go to God, or, An Explanation of the Lords-Prayer, on Petit. 3. §. 60.
Here observe a difference betwixt the godly and wicked. God worketh in the godly. the Devil worketh in the other, Ephes. 2. 2. Hence ariseth the difference of their works.
- 2. The consequence following upon a good work, is thus expressed, That which is well-pleasing in his sight. The Greek word translated b 1.2 well-pleasing, is the same compound that was used, vers. 16. §. 146. It implieth, that God doth not onely like such a work, but also takes delight therein. In other places it is translated ac∣cepted, 2 Cor. 5. 9. and acceptable, Rom. 12. 1, 2. And c 1.3 an Adverb thence derived, Heb. 12. 28.
The Greek phrase, thus translated, d 1.4 in his sight, is the very same that is thus translated, Unto the eyes of him. Chap. 4. v. 13. §. 76. It implieth Gods distinct dis∣cerning and perfect knowing of a thing: even as of that which is before him, and in his sight. God is not well pleased with matters upon hear-say; or upon others ap∣proving of them; but upon his own sight. Thus is this very phrase used, 1 Ioh. 3. 22. This therefore ought to be our care, to order all our works as in the sight of God. This was the commendation of▪ Zacharias and his wife, That they were righ∣teous befo•…•…e God, or in his sight, Luk. 1. 6. It is said of Enoch, That he walked with God, that is, in Gods sight, Gen. 5. 24. Hereupon our Apostle maketh this inference, He pleased God, Heb. 11. 5.
They order their works in Gods sight, who do them in truth and sincerity: for God is a searcher of the heart, Ier. 17. 10. and that which is done in truth from the heart, is done in the sight of God.