On one occasion when I was in prayer I had a vision in which I saw how
all things are seen in God. I cannot explain what I saw, but what I saw
remains to this day deeply imprinted on my soul. It was a great act of
grace in God to give me that vision. It puts me to unspeakable
confusion, shame, and horror whenever I recall that magnificent sight,
and then think of my sin. I believe that had the Lord been pleased to
send me that great revelation of Himself earlier in my life, it would
have kept me back from much sin. The vision was so delicate, so subtle,
and so spiritual, that my hard understanding cannot, at this distance of
time, close with it; but, to make use of an illustration, it was
something like this. Suppose the Godhead to be a vast globe of light, a
globe larger than the whole world, and that all our actions are seen in
that all-embracing globe. It was something like that I saw. For I saw
all my most filthy actions gathered up and reflected back upon me from
that World of light. I tell you it was a piteous and a dreadful thing to
see. I knew not where to hide myself, for that shining light, in which
was no darkness at all, held the whole world within it, and all worlds.
You will see that I could not flee from its presence. Oh that they could
be made to see this who commit deeds of darkness! Oh that they but saw
that there is no place secret from God: but that all they do is done
before Him, and in Him! Oh the madness of committing sin in the
immediate presence of a Majesty so great, and to whose holiness all our
sin is so hateful. In this also I saw His great mercifulness in that He
suffers such a sinner as I am still to live.