The deceitfalnefe of Mans heart. ' 397 TESEMETLEEMSESEE2D2 CHAP. XXXI. the anfwering of the objeElion which the deceitfall heart ofmanmight gatl2er out ofthe former doerine of the hearts deeeitfialnefè. Verfe, io. 1, the Lord, fearch,&c. His Verfe dependeth upon the former, as a fecret prevention of an Obje &ion , which upon occafion of the former doctrine of the hearts deceitfulneffe, the wicked Leases might make againfí the Prophets threatnings, in this manner : if the heart be fo immeafurably and unfearchably de- ceitfull, that none can know it, then we truft to doe well enough,forall the inward wickedneffe and hy- pocrite ofour hearts.For if none doe know ic,then none can punífh it. The Lords anfwer is, as if he i1 ould more largely thus have fpoken; Nay, loft a while, you runne too fart : The heart cannot bee known of any creature, but Ithe Lord, the Creator, have a priviledge above all creatures,throughly and perfe &ly co know the inmoft corners ofyour hearts: And therefore never think that the clofeneffe, and fecrefie of your corruption (hall free you from pu- nifhment ; for my knowledge ofyour hearts is not an idle and vaine knowledge ; but therefore doe 1 know them , that thereafter, as I (hall fee their in- ward 9' foundneffe or falfeneffe, fo I may difpenfe my rewards, and punifhments accordingly. This is the coherence. The
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