[A thief would not steal, if he knew that the eyes of the proprietor were fastened on him : yea, even the presence of a child would be sufficient to keep the adulterer from the per- petration of his intended crimes. But he regards not the presence of Almighty God. If he be out of the sight of any fellow-creatvu-e, he saith in his heart, " No eye seeth me " :" never reflecting, that " the darkness is no darkness with God, but the night is as clear as the day; the darkness and light to him are both alike ^."]
2. There is no regard to his authority —
[Men will stand in awe of the civil magistrate, who he knows to be " an avenger of evil, and that he does not bear the sword in vain." To see to what an extent men stand in awe of earthly governors, conceive in what a state of confusion even this Christian land would be, if only for one single week the laws were suspended, and no restraint were imposed on men beyond that which they feel from a regard to the autho- rity of God : we should not dare to venture out of our houses, or scarcely be safe in our houses, by reason of the flood of iniquity which would deluge the land. And though it is true that every one would not avail himself of the licence to commit all manner of abominations, it is equally true, that it is not God's authority that would restrain them : for the same autho- rity that says, " Do not kill or commit adultery," says, Thou shalt " live not unto thyself, but unto Him that died for thee and rose again." And if we be not influenced by it in every thing, we regard it truly in nothing ^.J
3. There is no concern about his approbation —
[If we be lowered in the estimation of our fellow-creatures, how mortified are we, insomuch that we can scarcely bear to abide in the place where we are so degraded. An exile to the remotest solitude would be preferable to the presence of those whose good opinion we have forfeited. But who inquires whether God be pleased or displeased? Who lays to heart the disapprobation which he has excited in his mind, or the record that is kept concerning him in the book of his remem- brance ? If we preserve our outward conduct correct, so as to secure the approbation of our fellow-creatures, we are satisfied, and care little what God sees within, or what estimate he forms of our character.]
4. There is no fear of his displeasure —
[One would think it impossible that men should believe in a future state of retribution, and yet be altogether careless about the doom that shall be awarded to them. They think
" Job xxiv. 15. '^ Ps. cxxxix. 11, 12. y James ii. 10, 11,