These
* Jer. xxiii. 23, 24.
*' Heb. iv. 12, 13. Tirgi;v»;X;ff-^ssv«. See also Jer. xvi. 1/. &: Job xxxiv. 22-.
These are solemn truths : and the importance of them will forcibly appear, whilst we suggest,
II. Some reflections naturally arising from them —
On this subject we might multiply reflections v*^ith^ out end, seeing that there is not any part of a Chris- tian's experience which is not most intimately con- nected with it. But we will confine ourselves to two ; namely,
1. That many, however high they may be in their own estimation, will be found most awfully to have deceived themselves in the last day —
[Among the foremost of these are the ungodly and profane. These, with an atheistical contempt of God, go on in their own way, saying, " Tush, God shall not see, neither shall the Almighty regard it:" ^' How doth God know ? can he judge through tlie dark cloud ? Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth nof"." But how will they be surprised in the day of judgmeJit, to find, that not one single act, word, or thought of tlieir whole lives had escaped the notice of the Deity ! They, if no human eye beheld them, prosecuted their licentious pleasures without fear ; little thinking Who was present, beholding their every act, hearing their every word, noting their every thought. Had but a child l)eeu present, they could not have proceeded with such in- difference : hut Jehovah's presence they regarded not, any more than if he had been, like the heathen gods, unknowing, uncon- scious, unconcerned. Truly, it is a fearful account which they will have to give, when they shall see the long catalogue of their ci imes written with unerring accuracy, and brought forward against them as the ground of their eternal condemnation.
Next to these are the proud formalists, who, because they have never run to any excess of riot, applaud themselves as righteous ,and secure of the Divine favour. But whilst they boast of their negative righteousness and their performance of s,oine external duties, and look with contempt upon those who have been less moral than themselves, little do they think in what a different light they are viewed by " God, who knovvetli their hearts ; in whose ^ight that which is highly esteemed amongvSt men, is not unfre- quently an utter abomination''." Very different is the standard by which he estimates them, from that by which they estimate themselves. The things for which he looks are, a tenderness of spirit, a lowliness of mind, a brokenness of heart, a deep self- lothing and self abhorrence ; not owe atom of which has he ever seen in these self-applauding Pharisees. iSay, thou formal Mo- /■alistj when did the heart-searching God ever see thee weeping
for
" Job xxli, 13, 14. Ps. Ixxiii. 11. f^ Luke xvj. 15.