[ 1224] Gods Omnipresence, the consideration of it to be a restraint from Sin.
IT is the perswasion of Seneca to his Friend Lucilius,* 1.1 for the better keeping of himself within compasse of his duty, to imagine, that some great Man, some strict, quick-sighted, clear-brain'd Man, such as Cato or Laelius did still look upon him: And being come to more perfection, would have him to fear no Mans presence more then his own, nor any Mans testimony above that of his own Conscience; and addes this Reason, because he might flee from another, but not from himself,* 1.2 and escape another's censure, but not the censure of his own Con∣science: Thus, did but Men set God before their eyes, and alwaies remem∣ber, that his eyes are upon them, it would be a notable bridle to pull them back,* 1.3 and to hold them up when they are ready to fall into any Sin; it would make them to watch over themselves,* 1.4 that they did not do any wickednesse in his sight, who is greater then their Consciences; and so upright in his Iudgments, that though Conscience may be silenced for a time, and give no evidence, or be a false Witnesse to the truth, yet it is impossible to escape his sentence, either by flight or any appeal whatsoever.