sinb But God lias indeed been privy to every one of
their most secret thoughts c And he has noticed them
in order that he may bring them into judgment, and make them the foundation of his own decisions at the last dayd
What a fearful thought is this ! and what a necessity
does it impose on every one to search out his iniquities, and to humble himself for them in dust and ashes e ! ■ — ]
II. Circumspection and fear —
[" God will not judge according to appearance, but will judge righteous judgment." If he saw only our outward actions, we might hope perhaps to find a favourable accept- ance with him : but he discerns the motives and principles of our actions f : he sees whether they flow from a regard to his authority ; — whether they be done in the precise manner that his word requires ; — and whether, in doing them, we seek the glory of his name. If we do the best things under the influ- ence of a corrupt principle, they are no better in his sight
than splendid sins g What self-examination then is
requisite, to ascertain the secret springs of our actions, and to guard against the delusions which we are so prone to foster ! ]
III. Consolation and hope —
[In seasons of temporal affliction, we may be ready to think that our state is altogether desperate11. Under false accusations especially, we may be incapable of establishing our own innocence, and of vindicating our character from the vilest aspersions1. But it is consoling to reflect, that "all things are naked and open before Godk:" and that he can, when- soever it shall seem good to him, extricate us from all the miseries that we either feel or fear1.
Under spiritual trouble also, O how consolatory is it to know, that God is thoroughly acquainted with the inmost
*> They are afraid of being detected by man, but not of being judged by God, Job xxiv. 15 — 17. with Prov. xxx. 20.
c Jer. xxiii. 24. Ezek. xi. 5. This is not only asserted by God, but acknowledged by men. Job xxxiv. 21, 22. and xlii. 2. Ps. cxxxix. 1 — 12. and exemplified in Achan, Gehazi, and Ananias.
d Jer. xvii. 10. e Ps. cxxxix. 23, 24.
f 1 Sam.'xvi. 7. Ps. xi. 4. Job xxvi. 6. Prov. xvi. 2.
s Isai. i. 11 — 15. and Ixvi. 3. Ezek. xxxiii. 31, 32. Matt. xii. 8.
h This was certainly the state of Hagar under the harsh treatment of her mistress ; and was probably so when the angel appeared to her.
* This was David's case, when fleeing from Saul, and accused by him of treason. Ps. xxxv. 11 — 14, 22.
* Heb. iv. 12, 13. 1 Cor. iv. 3—5.
i 2 Chron. xvi. 9. Ps. xxxiii. 18, 19.