We have yet another proof of his sincerity in his determina- tion to approve himself to God at all events. He could not but know that the prejudices he had imbibed, were common to the whole nation ; and that to become an open follower of Jesus would expose him to much obloquy and contempt. But he would not confer with flesh and blood : having found the truth, he embraced it boldly ; and from that moment became a stated attendant on his Lord. This, above all, displayed the uprightness of his soul : and this decided conduct, this prose- cuting of his duty without any fear of consequences, is the surest test of radical and unalloyed integrity
If our Lord's testimony stood in need of confirmation, we could not wish for more ample proof of its truth than arises from the facts that are here adduced.]
After such a delineation of Nathanael's character, we may well, II. Commend it to your imitation —
It is not to gratify our curiosity, but to edify our souls, that so many bright examples are set before us in the Scriptures. St. Paul exhorts us not only to be followers of him, but to " mark those who walk after his example." That you may be induced to imitate the example now set before you, consider,
1. The excellence of such a character — -
[The righteous is deservedly said to be " more excellent than his neighbour." To compare a guileless person with one that is sensual or profane, would be to compare " light with darkness, and Christ with Belial." Let us therefore institute the comparison rather between a true Israelite, and the most moral and specious of those who retain any allowed guile : and then the superiority of a Nathanael will appear in its true light : the hypocrite may have clearer views of divine truth, and appear in many respects to greater advantage before men, but he is radically a lover of sin, and a vassal of the wicked one ; while the guileless person is transformed into the divine image, and is a friend, a favourite, a child of God.
Shall not this consideration operate upon us? Can we need any other inducement to imitate the glorious character before us ?]
2. The importance of attaining it —
[The time is shortly coming when all of us must appear in the presence of Christ: and, as he discerned the character of Nathanael so as to pronounce upon it with infallible cer- tainty, so does he now weigh our spirits, as in a perfect