2. We must often revive this thought, for the oftener we think of it, the more deeply it is impressed upon the soul : Ps. ix. 17, ' The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.' It' is not said, that deny him, but forget him. On the other side, there is a book of remembrance for those that thought upon his name, Mai. iii. 16. God takes it kindly when our minds are set a-work upon him and upon his attributes. We have every moment life and breath, and all things from him ; he thinketh of us, and therefore out of a neces- sary gratitude we should oftener think of God. Nazianzen saith twice, Naz. Orat. deCuraPauperum, Orat. 10, and Orat. de Theol., Orat. 11 : We should as often think of God as breathe, for we cannot breathe without him, and without his continual providential influence we fall into nothing, as sunbeams vanish when the sun is gone. Therefore the apostle telleth the Ephesians they were in their natural estate, aOeoi, Eph. ii. 12. There are two sorts of atheists — they that deny God, and they that wholly forget God. The latter are more common, and they are described, Ps. x. 4, ' God is not in all their thoughts/ Oh ! what misery is this, that we have thoughts more than we can tell what to do withal, and yet we will not afford God the least share in them ! He were a cruel man that would cast his provisions and super- fluities into the street, and deny them to the poor, that should let his drink run into the kennel rather than that they should taste a drop of it. Such are we to God. AVe know not what to employ our thoughts upon, and yet w7e will not think of his name. We go musing of vanity all the day long, and be grinding of chaff, rather than take in good corn into the mill.
3. There are certain seasons when we are bound not only habitually but actually to think of God.
[1.] In a time of temptation, when the flesh, being enticed by profit or pleasure, or scared by fears, tempts us to do anything contrary to the
244 sermons upon psalm cxix. [Ser. CLXXXIII.
will of God. Thus did Joseph, when lie might have sinned securely and with advantage, Gen. xxxix. 9 ; the thoughts of God's eye and presence dashed the temptation. We forget him that seeth in secret, and therefore take the liberty to indulge our lusts. Can I consider that God looketh on, and do thus unworthily ? It is a daring him to his face to go on with these thoughts; therefore God seeth what I will now do ; it is a seasonable relief to the soul.
[2.] We should actually revive this thought in solemn duties, when we come to act the part of angels, and to look God in the face. Surely God is greatly to be had in fear of all that are round about him. It would prevent a great deal of carelessness in worship to remember who is the party with whom we have to do, who is speaking to us in the word, and to whom we speak in prayer : Heb. iv. 13, ' All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.' He knoweth how we hear, what thoughts and affections are stirring in our hearts : ' We are all here present before the Lord, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.' We come not hither to see and be seen of men, but to see God ; we are here before God, as if God himself were speaking to us. God is everywhere with us, but we are not always everywhere with God, but when we lift up our hearts and set him before our eyes. So in prayer, when we speak to God, we should think of him who is an eternal being, to whom belongeth kingdom, power, ami glory, Prayer is called a coming to God. We beg his eyes be open, Neh. i. 6, to behold us as well as hear us. Now what an awing thought is this in prayer, that our preparations, motions, affections, dispositions, aims are all naked and open to his eyes !
[3.] When God findeth us out in our secret sins by his word, Spirit, and providence, or the Wrings and pinches of our own consciences. By his word : 1 Cor. xiv. 25, ' And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest ; and so, falling down upon his face, will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.' And Heb. iv. 12, 13, ' For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, for all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.' So by his Spirit setting conscience a-work : Job xiii. 26, ' Thou makest me possess the sins of my youth.' Old forgotten sins come to remembrance. Own God and his oinni- sciency in the dispensation when God sets our sins in order before us as if anew committed. So providence: Gen. xlii. 21, ' We are verily guilty concerning our brother/ &c. Affliction openeth the eyes ; it is his rack to extort confessions from us.