John 1:48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Preached on 25 June 1767   Many things (would time afford) might be observed from the verses before us.   1. The effect of a true knowledge of grace – such desire to communicate so Andrew and here Phillip – agreeable to Matthew 12:34. [1] People are ready enough to talk of their profits and pleasures so they will speak off Christ when they now Him. If you have no desire to help others, it is a sign you are in dark yourself.   2. The great danger of taking up with common prejudices. Though Nathaniel was sincere, he was unwilling and backward at first, because he could expect nothing good from Nazareth – this prejudice like others founded u[on a mistake.   But to our point – our Lord who saw Nathaniel now as well as under the fig tree did not treat him harshly – but encouraged him with commendation, happy those whom he commends. Think you my friends if thinks thus of you, take care, in time you must stand or fall by his judgment – not no sin – but no guile. N abashed at this and struck to find himself known, by one whom he thought a stranger – says whence etc; then Jesus answered Before etc. Convinced by this proof, he acknowledges him immediately. Had N been committing sin with impunity because unseen by man, how would he have sunk at this word – no doubt he had been well employed, most probable at prayer – from what Philip days, we may believe he had been exercised in mind about the consolation of Israel – and he who saw him in secret rewarded him openly. The Lord Jesus is now no more upon earth but he communicates by his Spirit such a power to his preached Gospel, he directs his ministers so to preach, that those who hear are oft6en reminded of what passed in privacy, yea of workings in their thoughts which they had never uttered – with their lips - and they are ready to say whence knowest thou me? I hope by the help of God to tell some of you what has passed under the fig tree, and if so take it as a proof that the word which discloses the secrets of the heart, must be from his who is the Sion of God, the King of Israel   1. Now before you knew or heard or enquired after the Gospel, have you not some of you been witness to such things as these:   1.1 A subjection to the power of sin. You have never assented to the prayer tied and bound but little thought how it suited you. It is your case yet if Jesus has not set you free the desires of the flesh and the eye and the pride of life have carries you away – and though have not been insensible that you must die and your soul is immortal, yet you lived as if either the one or the other was not true.   1.2 Though you have affected to brave it out and would be thought happy in your sins yet he who saw you under the fig tree knows it was otherwise. Conscience sometimes beset you and you could mot get loose. O how dear have you paid for some of your pleasures 0 what anguish has been in your heart, when you have tried to wear a smile upon your face.   1.3 Sometimes you have been at such a pinch – that you must reform, and you have thought yourself resolved to set about it – but how faint and ineffectual and short-lived your endeavours have been,       the Lord knows you can tell. When the sense of danger or deliverance has worn off a little, you have been as before.   1.4 Or perhaps you have contented yourself with a purpose to amend hereafter – many years ago perhaps you did not then think you should put it off so long but so it has proved.   1.5 If you was more sincere and earnest you found you was striving against the stream and that instead of being better you grew worse.   2. When you heard from one or another of that kind of preaching which is accounted foolishness you was perhaps like Nathaniel discouraged by prejudices. How can this be right. What can these new people know more than others? Have any of the rulers believed their doctrine – and thus you were kept back. When at length you ventured to hear for yourselves – the effect has been different to different people. Perhaps some of you despised it and were ready to say, Is this all? Others were offended, it came too close to you, and by holding up a glass in which you saw yourselves too plainly you went away angry, you wanted t hear smooth things, but when you was told there was no peace to the wicked, you chose darkness rather than light because your deeds were evil. But some I trust have had Nathaniel’s experience and if no the first time, yet sooner or later you found it was the very thing you wanted, it explained to the ground and reason of all unfelt and feared, and showed you the remedy which suited your case.   3. To believers I need no say how often this text has been fulfilled, and given you proof that the Lord was acquainted with your inward exercises. Have you not found the preaching as if intended for you alone and met an answer to your dou8bts, a support under tour trials, and a revival to your spirits when you have been ready to faint. Now here we rest a proof that this is the doctrine off him who searcheth the hearts and trieth the reins of the children of men. What is its present effect? Do you bow before it? Do you acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, the Saviour, the King of Israel? Rejoice then that he sees you always   3.1 He knows and cares for you under all your troubles. Perhaps you have no other friend to whom you can open your mind, or you have some things you cannot impart to your best friends. Commit them to him.   3.2 Appeal to him under all the injuries or slights or misapprehensions of men. Psalm 37:5,6. [2]   3.3 Let this make you circumspect. He is always with you. Beware of grieving hm. It may be done in many ways which men cannot notice.   But if not – tremble. He shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and what you have said or done in secret, shall be exposed as upon the housetop, and set before your eyes in order. O how will you meet him. Yet still there is hope – his salvation is preached to you – harden not your hearts – but now in this your day attend to your souls peace. He has shed his blood, revealed his righteousness and promised his Spirit. Continue to wait upon him lest iniquity should be your ruin and he should swear in his wrath you shall  not enter his rest. Endnotes:    [1] Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [2] Psalm 37:5,6 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Acknowledgements: Cowper & Newton Museum, MS 714(19), John Newton's Notebook No. 43