Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 5:16

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven.

Our Sav[illegible: 1 letter]our now plainly tells us, what he intended by the Comp[illegible: 1 letter]risons before mentioned. Let the Lig[illegible: 1 letter]t of that Doctrine which you receive from me, and the Light of your Holy Conversation (the latter by the following words, seemeth to be here Principally intended) so shine before Men, be so Evident▪ and apparent unto Men: That they may see your Good works, all sorts of Good works, whatsoever I have Commanded▪ or shall Command you, and as I Command you, and in Obedience to such Commands, otherwise they are no Good works, and Glorifie your Father which is in the Heavens. You are not in your good Actions to aim at your selves, to be seen of Men, as Matth. 6.1. nor meerly at doing good to others, the Good works, Tit. 3.14. are to be maintained for necessary uses, but having a Primary and Principal respect to the Glorifying of your Father, for Ioh. 15.8. herein is my Father Glorified, if you bear much Fruit: Not that we can add any thing to Gods essential Glory, but we may predicate and manifest his Glory. Which now we can do by Good works, if they proceed from [illegible: 1 span], and Liberty of our own Wills, not from his special Efficacious Grace, is hard to understand. Our Father is said to be in the Heavens, because tho his Essential Presence filleth all places, yet he is pleased there more than any where to manifest his Glory and Majesty.

Marginal references: 1 Pet 2.12.