Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

The Interrogation carries in it a strong Affirmation, and assures us more of Gods care, and the folly of men in not considering it. Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places? Heb. in Hiddenesses, in the deepest Cells: What? are you besotted by your base Lusts, that you think me a God careless, ignorant, blind, that I can see nothing, but as a purblind man, what is very near my eye? Are you so out of your wits, that you imagine you can deceive me? Do not all your behaviours speak such a Sentiment to lie secret in your heart, though not formed into a full conception, yet testified by your Actions? No, you are much mistaken, 'tis impossible but that I should see and know all things, since I am present with all things, and am not at a greater distance from the things on earth, than from the the things in Heaven; for I fill all that vast Fabric which is divided into those two parts of Heaven and Earth; and he that hath such an infinite essence, cannot be distant, cannot be ignorant, nothing can be far from his eyes, since every thing is so near to his Essence.

The Interrogation carries in it a strong Affirmation, and assures us more of Gods care, and the folly of men in not considering it. Am I a God at hand, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places? Heb. in Hiddenesses, in the deepest Cells: What? are you besotted by your base Lusts, that you think me a God careless, ignorant, blind, that I can see nothing, but as a purblind man, what is very near my eye? Are you so out of your wits, that you imagine you can deceive me? Do not all your behaviours speak such a Sentiment to lie secret in your heart, though not form'd into a full conception, yet testified by your Actions? No, you are much mistaken, 'tis impossible but that I should see and know all things, since I am present with all things, and am not at a greater distance from the things on earth, than from the the things in Heaven; for I fill all that vast Fabrick which is divided into those two parts of Heaven and Earth; and he that hath such an infinite essence, cannot be distant, cannot be ignorant, nothing can be far from his eyes, since every thing is so near to his Essence.

So that it is an elegant Expression of the Omniscience of God, and a strong Argument for it. He asserts, first the Universality of his Knowledge; but lest they should mistake, and confine his presence only to Heaven; he adds, That he fills Heaven and Earth. I do not see things so, as if I were in one place, and the things seen in another, as it is with man; but whatsoever I see, I see not without my self, because every corner of Heaven and Earth is filled by me. He that fills all, must needs see and know all.