3.  In the third place, even the sinner himself ought to rejoice in the fact that God is the Searcher of the heart.  It is instinctive and natural, that a transgressor should attempt to conceal his character from his Maker; but next to his sin itself, it would be the greatest injury that he could do to himself, should he succeed in his attempt.  Even after the commission of sin, there is every reason for desiring that God should compass our path and lying down, and be acquainted with all our ways.  For, He is the only being who can forgive sin; the only one who can renew and sanctify the heart.  There is the same motive for having the disease of the soul understood by God, that there is for having the disease of the body examined by a skilful physician.  Nothing is gained, but every thing is lost, by ignorance.

The sinner, therefore, has the strongest of motives for rejoicing in the truth that God sees him.  It ought not to be an unwelcome fact even to him.  For how can his sin be pardoned, unless it is clearly understood by the pardoning power?  How can his soul be purified from its inward corruption, unless it is searched by the Spirit of all holiness?

Instead, therefore, of being repelled by such a solemn truth as that which we have been discussing, even the natural man should be allured by it.  For it teaches him that there is help for him in God.  His own knowledge of his own heart, as we have seen, is very imperfect and very inadequate.  But the Divine knowledge is thoroughly adequate.  He may, therefore, devolve his case with confidence upon the unerring One.  Let him take words upon his lips, and cry unto Him:  “Search me, O God, and try me; and see what evil ways there are in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  Let him endeavor to come into possession of the Divine knowledge.  There is no presumption in this.  God desires that he should know himself as He knows him; that he should get possession of His views upon this point; that he should see himself as He sees him.  One of the principal sins which God has to charge upon the sinner is, that his apprehensions respecting his own character are in conflict with the Divine.  Nothing would more certainly meet the approbation of God, than a renunciation of human estimates of human nature, and the adoption of those contained in the inspired word.  Endeavor, therefore, to obtain the very same knowledge of your heart which God Himself possesses.  And in this endeavor, He will assist you.  The influences of the Holy Spirit to enlighten are most positively promised and proffered.  Therefore be not repelled by the truth; but be drawn by it to a deeper, truer knowledge of your heart.  Lift up your soul in prayer, and beseech God to impart to you a profound knowledge of yourself, and then to sprinkle all your discovered guilt, and all your undiscovered guilt, with atoning blood.  This is salvation; first to know yourself, and then to know Christ as your Prophet, Priest, and King.