2. We must ''give an account to God'" of all that we do —
[Every thing we do is noticed by God, in order that it may be recompensed at the day of judgment'^. The book of his remembrance will assuredly be opened in that day'; and every action, word, and thought, during our whole lives, will have an influence on his decision. However trivial any thing may be in our eyes, or even imperceptible by us, it will enhance our hajjpiness or misery to all eternity : how anxious then should we be to walk as in God's sight ! and how should we labour daily to lay up an increasing weight of glory, in- stead of " treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath™!"
We may improve this subject,
1. For the awakening of the careless —
[You may think, like those of old, that God does not see or regard your ways"; but, if Achan was detected and punished by God's immediate interference in this world", how much more shall you be in the day of righteous retribution!]
2. For the encouragement of the sincere —
[If God notices the defects of his people, he both makes allowance for them, and observes also their excellencies P; nor have they so much as a good desire, which he does not mark with special approbation i. Let all then stir up their hearts to seek and serve him"": so, notwithstanding their defects, they shall receive his plaudit in the day of judgments]
' lipoc oy rjfxiv b \6yoQ. '^ Jer. xvii. 10. ^ Rev. xx. 12.
>ii 2 Cor, iv. 17. with Rom. ii. 5. " Ps. xciv. 7.
o Josh. vii. 14, 18, 25. P Comp. Ps. ciii. 14. with Rev. ii. 9. ^ Ps. xxxviii. 9. Mai. iii. 16. 1 Kings xiv. 13. ' 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. ^ \ Cor. iv. 5.