be obeyed by our children and our servants, though they do not know all the objects we have in view when we issue our commands. We expect them to give us credit for ordering only what is wise and good ; and to take for granted, rather than delibei-ate upon, the wisdom of our commands. And what we expect of others, we may well be required to render unto him.]
4. As a Witness, to testify of our conformity to them —
[It is said of him, that '' He searcheth all things :" and if he search " the deep things of God" does he not also search the deep things that are in our hearts ? Yes, " He searcheth the heart and trieth the reins," and discerneth the inmost thoughts and intents of our hearts. " I know," says he, " the things that come into your minds, every one of them." Yes, " He weigheth the spirits," and ascertaineth precisely the mea- sure of good and evil that there is in the heart of every one amongst us. We must not suppose that he has fully executed his office when he has revealed to us the deep things of God. No : he searches how we receive them ; how we improve them ; how we answer the end of God in them. And this he does with a view to a future judgment, that we may all " receive according to what we have done in the body, whether it be good or evil." Let us, then, bear this in mind : let us remember, that he is conversant with every inclination, every affection, every appetite of our souls. The darkness is no darkness with him, but the night is as clear as the day : and as his testimony respecting God is true, so will his testimony respecting us be true. Attend then to the way in which every day and every hour is spent. Mark in what frame your mind is, in all your public or private addresses to the Most High. Call yourselves to a severe account respecting every duty and every defect. After all, you will never weigh yourselves so accurately as he weighs you : and " if your heart condemn you, God is greater than your hearts, and knoweth all things : but if your heart condemn you not, then have you confidence towards God^"]
t 1 John iii. 20, 21.
MDCCCCXLl.