science is universally allowed to make one of the number.---Some of the most eminent heathen writers have expreffed themselves handsomely, and it must be owned (the difadvantages they laboured under, duly considered) furprisingly on this article.---But how low, how confined, how inadequate are their thoughts and expreffions, when compared with the lofty, the fublime defcriptions of the all-feeing God in the infpired prophets -Thofe divine writers have fixed the place of his refidence in the highest heavens, from whence he views, not only the circumference, but also the darkest and innermoft parts of the earth. He measures the globe with his fpan, and ballances it in the palm of his hand. Nor is he only employed in furvey ing his works of nature, or the ina nimate creation; but he is continually infpecting the thoughts and actions of his rational and moral agents.The time would fail me if I were to give extracts of all the noble passages in the fcriptures which deferve the majesty and omniscience of the great Jehovah; and there is one passage in the hundred and forty-ninth pfalm, that is fo copious and particular upon the fubject, that it leaves no occafion to repeat any more. What words can equal these of David! with what humility do they inspire every attentive reader! "O Lord, thou haft fearched me, "and known me.---Thou knoweft "my down-fitting and mine up-rifing, thou thou understandeft my thoughts afar off.----Thou compaffeft my path, "and my lying-down, and art açquainted with all my ways.----For "there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knoweft it "altogether.---Thou haft befet me "behind and before, and laid thine 66 hand upon me.---Such knowledge "is too wonderful for me. I cannot "attain unto it.---Whither shall I ' fhall I flee from thy presence ?---If "I afcend up into heaven, thou art "there: If I make my bed in hell, 66 66 ፡፡ behold, thou art there.---If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermoft parts of the fea; even there shall thy hand lead "me, and thy right hand fhall hold me.--If I fay, Surely the "dark “ darkness shall cover me: even the night shall be light about me. "Yea the darkness hideth not from 66 thee; but the night shineth as the day the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.---For thou "haft poffeffed my reins: thou hast "covered me in my mother's womb. "I will praise thee, for I am fearfully "and wonderfully made; marvellous "are thy works, and that my foul "knoweth right well.----My sub"ftance was not hid from thee, "when I was made in fecret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.---Thine eyes did "fee my fubftance yet being imperfect, and in thy book all my mem"bers were written, which in con .. แ tinuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Upon Upon this representation of the Pfalmift, which is infallibly just and true, the finner must stand convinced how impoffible it is to deceive fuch an all-feeing God. That it is a vain thing to endeavour to impose a false weight or fhort measure upon him who holdeth the ballance and meteth out the earth.---With man, fhort fighted as himself, his fchemes may take effect; to his neighbour, who fees only the outside of him, he may appear a perfect saint; and 'tis possible the mask, the garb of fanctity may last him his life. Nay 'tis possible, that by a continual practice of deceit upon others, he may fall into his own fnares, fo as to mistake the femblance of virtue for a reality; and that he may go down unto the grave full of felf-approbation and the applaufe |