the angel of the Lord; and she called the Lord that spake unto her, "Thou God seest

me.

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In considering this passage, we may observe, first, that several important truths are suggested: secondly, that we should often apply this passage to ourselves: and, thirdly, that much good will result from such a practice.

1. SEVERAL IMPORTANT TRUTHS ARE SUGGESTED.

Amongst other truths suggested by this passage, we shall particularly notice the following: That God is present in every place; that there is a watchful providence over men; that all the affairs of men are fully known to God; and that God is amazingly condescending.

1. God is présent in every place. He is not only in our houses and in our cities, but in the solitary wilderness: so that every man in the world may say, "Thou God seest me." We cannot hide ourselves from him, because he is every where present. "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there. IfI make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, (the rays of light which first dart from the sun) and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead

me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.'

2. There is a watchful providence over men. The watchful eyes of providence are over us from the moment of our birth, to the moment of our death. God sees all our varied situations and circumstances, and knows what is best for us in each. The rich and the poor, the good and the bad, are all placed under the care of unerring providence. The ever watchful eyes of God are over all for good. In danger we are favoured with his protection, and in poverty and want he feeds us with necessary food. Were it not for a superintending providence, how many would perish! Poor Hagar might have perished in the wilderness, had there been no God to care for her. She was far out of the reach of her master's care; but she could say, "Thou God seest me." Perhaps she would say to herself, I am far from the view and help of man; but thou God seest and carest for me.' Thus our heavenly Father extends his care to all the helpless children of men. “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

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3. All the affairs of men are fully known to God. Men only see that which is external; but God sees the heart. "Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance." As a wise and just judge, God weighs all our actions. "For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed." A crime cannot be committed in the most secret place without his notice; and he sees every good work, both in its beginning, progress, and end. This truth should produce in us a solemn awe of the divine Majesty, and a sacred fear of offending. "Stand in awe, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.”

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4. God is amazingly condescending. might overlook poor mortals amidst his great and glorious works. David seems to have been deeply and piously impressed with this subject, in an evening meditation upon the starry heavens "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him; and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

II. WE SHOULD OFTEN APPLY THIS PASSAGE TO OURSELVES.

1. When we are engaged in religious duties, let us recollect that we are seen of God. Dost thou retire into thy closet for devo

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tional purposes? Recollect the important truth. "Thou God seest me." When thou callest thy family together to worship God, do not forget that his eyes are upon thee. The sacred scriptures should be read daily, and that man who reads should always think, "Thou God seest We assemble in the great congrega tion, to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, and there we see and are seen of many; but every one, whether preacher or hearer, should call to mind, "Thou God seest me."

me.

2. In all our worldly concerns we should apply this passage. The duties of life may call us forth to labour with our hands, to buy and sell, to plant and build, to sow and reap, to mix with company of almost every description; but in every employment, and in every company, seriously remember, "Thou God seest me." Carry about with you a deep impression of a present God wherever you go. Whether you are in the field, in the market, or in the shop, still think of a present God. It is a mark of the most abandoned character to enquire, "How doth God know? and is there know lege in the Most High?" Truth, however, compels us to say, that most men go about their business as if God had no knowlege of what is done on earth; and that man is held in sovereign contempt, who, mixing

piety with business, often exclaims, "Thou God seest me.'

3. If adversity be our lot, let us not forget that God sees us. Do we suffer pain, are we reproached, are we in want, are we oppressed, are we persecuted? God sees. Are we in prison, or in banishment? The eyes of God are upon us there. The Lord said to Moses, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come up unto me and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them."

4. In our prosperity we are seen of God. Do riches increase? God sees both how we came by them, how we use them, and whether we are disposed to give him the glory. Does our fame spread far and wide? God sees how we bear it, and whether we are disposed to give him the honour, or, like proud Nebuchadnezzar, take it all to' ourselves. When that monarch walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon, and said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom, by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?" God saw him: and, while the word was in the king's

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