Ezek. xi. 5. I know the things which come into your mind, every
one of them.
THERE is much of atheism in the heart of man. The language of every one, in the secret of his own bosom, is, " The Lord doth not see, neither will the Almighty regard ita." Doubtless this argues more than brutish stupidity b: but still it prevails to an awful extent, even over those who have the best means of instruction. The Prophet Ezekiel had rea- son to complain of it in his day ; and, for the purpose of counteracting it, he declared from God to all the rulers of the Jewish people, " I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them."
That we may all be suitably affected with this thought, I will,
I. Establish the assertion in our text —
There is no man who does not consider God as approving or disapproving of his conduct according to the testimony which his conscience gives respect- ing itc: and this universal conviction respecting the omniscience of the Deity is, though not a demonstra- tion, yet certainly a strong presumptive proof, that God is omniscient. But his omniscience may be certainly inferred,
1. From the law he has given us —
[The law, not by construction onlyd, but in plain terms e, takes cognizance of the secrets of the heart. But to what purpose is such a law given, if God be not able to enforce it ? Or how can he enforce it, if any motion of the heart be hid from him?]
2. From the plain declarations of Holy Writ —
[These are numberless. Hear in what terms God him- self appeals to the whole world respecting it : " Am I a God at hand, and not afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places
a Ps. xciv. 7. b Ps. xciv. 8, 9. ° 1 John iii. 20, 21.
d Matt. v. 28. e Rom. vii. 7.