earnest; and you shall not ask in vain'. It is the Spirit's office to " take of the things that are Christ's, and to shew them unto you^." It is his office to make the word effectual to your souls : for it is then only effectual, when " it comes in demonstration of the Spirit and of power^" Read not then, nor hear, the word in dependence on your own strength ; but cry mightily to God to bring it home to your hearts " with power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance™." Then shall you experience its life-giving efficacy, and find it " the power of God to the salvation of your souls"."]
> Luke xi. 13. ^ John xvi. 14. ^ 1 Cor. ii. 4.
m 1 Thess. i. 5. " Rom. i. IG.
Heb. iv. 13. All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with ivhom toe have to do.
MEN will commit those things in secret, which they would not commit, if they knew that the eye of a fellow-creature was upon them. But, if they duly considered the omniscience of God, they would be as watchful over their conduct in their most hidden re- cesses, as they now are in the noon-day. Yea, they would impose a far greater restraint on their inmost thoughts, than they now do on their outward actions. To fortify the Hebrews against apostasy, the Apostle endeavoured to impress upon their minds the thought that every motion of their hearts was strictly noticed by God.
From his words we shall consider, I. The omniscience of God —
" There is not any thing in the whole creation which is not manifest in his sight." At one glance he beholds,
1. All things —
[All that is past, however long since, or however for- gotten by us, is as fresh in his memory, as if it had been transacted this very moment*. All p)resent things, in whatever
a Isai. xli. 22.