Uses.

Here 1 we see the dissimilitude between God and man,* which is declared 1 Sam. 16.7. Man can not directly behold the hearts of other men, but onely judges of the tree by the fruits; wherein he is often deceived. For there are many men which are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 double minded, have 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a heart and a heart: and therefore when according to that heart, which lies next their tongue and hand, they speak and do those things which are for the substance good, others out of charity judge them to be good men; whereas in their other heart, that lies more inward, there are seven abominations. But God knows the very in∣nermost frame of the mind and heart most throughly and infallibly.

2 If He see and know the frame of the soule as it is of it self evil and corrupt, then Page  245also as it is in any measure rectifyed by His grace. And so He sees and knows it with ap∣probation. And therefore it is but a small matter to be by men rashly judged of hypo∣crisy, ill intentions, malice &c. so long as God sees and knows it to be otherwise.

3 If He see the inward disposition of the soule whether good or ill, then no man can doubt but that he knows also our words and deeds of what kind soever.

This then reproves 1 Such as think God sees not their wickednesse,* Psal. 94.7. Isa. 29.15.

2 Such as so live as if God did not see them. Would men live in drunkennesse, who∣ring, swearing &c. if they thought indeed that God the Judge of all saw them? It must needs be that such either think He sees them not, or (which is worse, if worse can be) care not for Him.

Here also is comfort 1 Against the unjust censures of men,* when we know our own innocence and sincerity. Jobs friends accused him of hypocrisy and many sinnes, Chap. 22.5. He answers Chap. 23.10. God knowes the way that I take; when He hath tryed me, I shall come forth as gold. So to Eliphaz his charge chap. 15. he answers chap. 16.19. My witnesse is in heaven, and my record is on Page  246high. David had many adversaries, who de∣famed him and layd to his charge things that he knew not, Psal. 35.11. His appeale was to God vers. 1, 17, 22, &c. So Psal. 7.9, 10. & 17.2. &c. So S. Paul against the sinis•er judgement of the false apostles and the Co∣rinthians deceived by them 1 Cor. 4.3, 4, 5.

2 Against the secret practises of our ad∣versaries. Let them dig as deep as hell to hide their counsels, they are all before God. Psal. 69.19. He knowes all their plots and de∣vises.

Let this also exhort us that we study to re∣ctify the frame of our soules,* and approve it unto God, and so alwaies to order all our actions, even those which are most secret, as having God our beholder.

Motiv. 1. Consider how foolish a thing it is for us not to look at Him, or not to frame our selves according to His beck, when He continually looks upon us, and beholds our most secret thoughts. 2 Consider also what a contumely and desite it is to God to do even to His face the things which He abhorres. If we could conceale from Him the things which we do, yet love and inge∣nuity should keep us from doing any thing contrary to His will, Who hath so highly de∣served of us: How much more, when we Page  247have Him alwaies present, and a witnesse of all that we doe, speak, or think?