Men are gods, or, The dignity of magistracy, and the duty of the magistrate…

I come now to the Motives, to stir you up both to walk and work as Gods among men.

1. Consider, God beholdeth you this day; He taketh notice, and observeth how ye walk, and ⟨p. 266⟩how ye work. All the ways of man (Prov. 5.21.) are before the Lord, and he pondereth all his paths. Be your works what they will be, God seeth them, and he weigheth them in the balance of the Sanctuary, and that beam will discover it, if they be never so little too light.

1. Consider, God beholdeth you this day; He taketh notice, and observeth how ye walk, and ⟨p. 266⟩how ye work. All the wayes of man (Prov. 5.21.) are before the Lord, and he pondereth all his paths. Be your works what they will be, God seeth them, and he weigheth them in the balance of the Sanctuary, and that beam will discover it, if they be never so little too light.

He beholdeth not only your practices, but your principles; he knoweth what is the wind which causeth the Mill to go; he knoweth by what rule, and for what end, and from what principle ye act; all things are, [Greek or Hebrew], naked and open in the eyes of him with whom we have to do; Heb. 4.13. The words are very Emphatical, and signify thus much, That as the Lineaments and outside of the Body is very visible when it is naked and unclothed; and as the bowels and inside are discovered when the body is dissected and anatomized; So are both your outwards and inwards, your actions and affections manifest, naked and open to God.