The divine life in three treatises

1. The apprehensions of the presence and attributes of God, do most effectually check the stirrings of corruption, and rebuke all the vicious inclinations and motions of the soul: even the most secret sin of the heart, is rebuked by his presence, as well as the most open transgression of the life: For the thoughts of the heart are open to his view. All what is done before God, is done as in the open light: nothing of it can be hid: no sin can have the encouragement of secrecy to embolden it. It is all committed in the presence of the Universal King and Lawgiver of the world, who hath forbidden it: It ⟨p. 267⟩is done before him that most abhorreth it, and will never be reconciled to it. It is done before him that is the Judge of the world, and will shortly pass the sentence on us according to what we have done in the body. It standeth up in his presence who is of infinite Majesty and perfection, and therefore most to be reverenced and honoured; And therefore if the presence of a wise and grave and venerable person, will restrain men from sin, the presence of God apprehended seriously, will do it much more. It is committed before him that is our dearest friend, and tender Father, and chiefest benefactor: And therefore ingenuity, gratitude and love, will all rise up against it in those that walk with God. There is that in God, before the eyes of those that walk with him, which is most contrary to sin, and most powerful against it, of any thing in the world. Every one will confess that if mens eyes were opened to see the Lord in Glory standing over them, it would be the most powerful means to restrain them from transgressing: The drunkard would not then venture upon his cups: the fornicator would have a cooling for his lusts: the swearer would be afraid to take his Makers name in vain: the profane would scarce presume to scorn or persecute a holy life. And he that walketh with God, though he see him not corporeally, yet seeth him by faith, and liveth as in his presence; and therefore must needs be restrained from sin, as having the means which is next to the sight of God. If pride should begin to stir in one that walks with God, O what a powerful remedy is at hand! How effectually would the presence of the Great and Holy God rebuke it! and constrain us to say as