the extensive and spiritual nature of the divine commandments; hence the confidence so loudly proclaimed by the holy men of old, in the divine protection; hence their trust in the Almighty under afflictions; hence their sacrifices, their prayers, and their praises: every part of their conduct, as the servants of God, testified their conviction, that they were continually in His presence, and that darkness and secrecy can hide nothing from Him.

And this truth, which is so clearly revealed in the Holy Scriptures, may be distinctly perceived also in the ways of Providence. Where is the man of understanding, who, whether conversant or not with the sacred writings, does not frequently, on observing the rise and decline of nations, find the confession extorted from him, God is the judge; he putteth down one and setteth up another?* And, especially if with these Scriptures in our hands, we look at the countries and people, which were the subjects of ancient prophecy, and compare the several predictions with the events, which time has gradually brought to pass; the result will be a firm persuasion, that the direct controuling * Psalm lxxv. 7.

agency of Almighty God exists, and is felt in every place, and in all ages of the world: that he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven.* With respect to the moral government of God, in the ordinary occurrences of individual life, we admit that, without divine revelation, even a wise man might not always be able to trace it; and, when we know its existence, we may err in our attempts to explain it: but the destiny of nations, under circumstances like those of Ishmael, of Egypt, or of the Israelites, should satisfy scepticism itself, that God fills both heaven and earth.

We may observe further, that men in general, who believe in a supreme Being, find in their own consciences a testimony to the truth of the doctrine. However they may disavow it in practice, yet in times of sickness, and especially when death appears to be near at hand, almost every person is affected by the conviction that from the presence of God he cannot flee. Every painful reflection, which arises in the mind concerning a mispent life, and every apprehension connected with it, is virtually an acknowledgment that there is One to whom all * Job xxviii. 24.

hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid.

II. If the Almighty were a mere spectator of all that is passing in this lower world, it might be considered as a matter of comparatively little moment, whether the doctrine be true or not: but we learn from the Scriptures, that as God is acquainted with every thought, every word, and every act of our lives, so he preserves of them all an imperishable record; and that finally he shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.*

Hence, therefore, we see the importance of a practical belief of the doctrine: such a belief as shall impress it strongly upon our minds and as it is a doctrine which too easily escapes our recollection, the minister of divine truth can never be charged with taking unnecessary labour if he endeavour to urge it again and again upon the consciences of those who hear him. It is important to every individual of the two great classes into which the world is divided, the righteous and the wicked. (1.) It is important to the righteous; to those

* Eccl. xii. 14.

who have believed in Christ Jesus, and have become the children of God by adoption and grace.

They will find in it, firstly, a motive for vigilance and circumspection. Why is it that so many of those who have enrolled themselves under the banner of Jesus Christ, seem almost to live as if no enemy were to be found, and no danger to be apprehended? Is it that cautions and warnings have not often been given to them? Is it that they are ignorant of the nature of their calling, and of the temptations which surround them? Would they be thus remiss, if that God, who has thus admonished them of their danger, were visibly present to enforce the admonition? Would it not excite them to indefatigable vigilance? Would it not prompt them to call forth all their energies, to resist the tempter ?* To abstain from all appearance of evil? + To keep themselves unspotted from the world?" When Peter denied his Lord, he did it, as he supposed, when that Master neither saw nor heard him. One look from Jesus Christ pierced the unhappy offender to the heart, and he melted into tears.

Christian realize to himself the

* James iv. 7. + 1 Thess. v. 22.

Only let the acknowledg

1 James i. 27.

ment, Thou God seest me:* only let him exercise the vigilance and self-denial to which the manifest presence of his Lord would assuredly call him, and he will find himself armed anew against the powers of temptation, and zealous in maintaining that character of watchfulness which becomes a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, a powerful incitement to active duty. When St. Paul wishes to stir up the Hebrews to diligence and perseverance in their Christian course, he tells them of that noble army of martyrs and confessors, who had finished their pilgrimage of faith, and had obtained their reward. Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.†

Was it to be an incentive and a ground of encouragement to the Christian, that the spirits of the just, of those who were once engaged in the same conflict with ourselves, are now observing our exertions, and witnessing our triumphs? How cogent then, must be the reflection, that we are running in the presence of

* Gen. xvi. 13.

+ Heb. xii. i.