CONSCIENCE THE BEST FRIEND UPON EARTH: OR, The Happy Effects Of Keeping A Good Conscience.
Very Useful for this Age.
By HENRY STUBBES, Minister of the Gospel
I have lived in all good Conscience before God until this day.
Boston, Re-printed by B Green, & J. Allen, for Nicholas Buttolph, and are to be Sold at his Shop at the Corner of [...] Coffee House. 1700.
To the Readers CONSCIENCE.
COnscience; how thou wilt take it I know not▪ however I have adventured to write a few lines unto thee, because I know thou art well acquainted with my Reader, and canst do much with him if thou wilt; and if thou be good C [...]nscience thou wilt. Naturally good I know thou art. I would hope [...]hat thou art Spiritually good, purged from dead works by the Blood of Christ, Heb. 9.14. and made good by the power o [...] the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3 21. and art able to give a reason by thy hope to be sa [...]ed, 1 Pet. 3.1 [...], 16. and that thou standest upon thy watch & ward against Sin, Satan, and the World, 1 Tim. 1.18, 19. However thou art naturally good, something thou hast retained since the Fall, all is not lost: Reason, Knowledge, and the power of reflection thou hast; and to speak according to thy Knowledge, and to tell every one with whom thou hast to do, the truth how 'tis with them is thy essential [Page] property. Even those (John 8.6.9) that tempted Christ, [...]at they might have something to accuse him of, were convicted of their Consciences; their Consciences dealt plainly with them, and told them the truth, that they were not without sin
Conscience, thou art the Candle of the Lord searching the inward parts, the most secret thoughts, desires and intents of the heart, Prov. 20.27. according to that of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 2.11. What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man wi [...]hin him? Thou didst tell Pharaoh that he was wicked, Exod. 9.27. and Jos [...]phs Brethere [...], that they were guilty, Gen. 42 21. and Judas that he had sinned in betraying innocent blood, Mat. 27.3, 4 I pray thee do as much for my Reader if thou see cause for it. It may be thou art a wel [...] read Conscience in the Law of God enlightned and rightly informed, If thou be so, thou knowest my Readers estate Godward, whether good or bad, in the state of Grace or Nature. Thou must needs know, for thou art always at home with him, and there is not a thought in his Heart but thou art privy to it, nor a word in his tongue but thou hearest it, [Page] nor a work of his hand but thou seest it. God hath made thee his Spy and Overseer, that so thou mayst be a true Witness for or against him.
Conscience, thou canst tell whether my Reader be a Child of wrath, as he was born, Eph. 2.3. or whether he be born again, & so be a Child of God by Faith in Jesus Christ, Gal. 3 26
Thou canst tell whether he be as yet to this day in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, as he, Acts 8.23.
Thou canst tell whether he be in the flesh, and do live after the flesh or no.
Whether he be the same that ever he was, or whether he be a new creature, the workmanship of God by a second creation, born of God and of the Spirit, sanctified throughout, cleansed from filthiness of flesh and spirit.
Whether he Worship God in spirit and truth.
Whether he have only the form of godliness, or the power also
Whether he be a Christian outwardly only, or inwardly also.
Whether a hearer only, or a doer also
Whether he have only a name to live, or▪ be alive indeed.
[Page]Whether he be barren and unfruitful, or fruitful in every good work.
Whether his Knowledge be affective and operative, and so saving.
Whether his Faith be unfeigned, the Faith of Gods Elect, working, purifying, conquering.
Whether his Repentance be Repentance unto life, bearing the fruits of Carefulness, Clearing, Indignation, Fear, Vehement Desire, Zeal, Revenge, 2 Cor. 7.11.
Whether his Obedience be universal.
Whether he esteem all Gods Precepts concerning all things to be right, and whether he hate every false way, Psal. 119.128.
Conscience, thou eanst tell whether my Reader have laid aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and evil speakings, as he is required, 1 Pet. 2 1.
Whether he desires the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby, verse 2
And whether he do grow or not.
Whether he be contented with what he hath attained, or whether he press forward after Pauls example, Phil. 3.13, 14.
Whether he make Religion the greatest [Page] business he has to do in the world.
Whether Gods Word be his Rule in all.
Whether Gods glory be his end in all.
Whether he seek his own things, or the things of Christ, most.
Whether his Heart be Godward, Christward, Heavenward.
Whether his Conversation be in Heaven, and his affections upon things above.
Whether he have Oyl in his Vessel as well as in his lamp.
Whether he can prove his Ʋnion with Christ.
Whether he has made his Calling and Election sure.
Whether he be yet made meet for the inheritance of the Saints in light.
Whether he love the appearing of Christ.
And Conscience thou canst tell whether my Reader does live by the Faith of the Son of God, as Paul did, Gal. 2 20.
Whether he shew out of a good conversation his works with m [...]kness of wisdom, James 3.13.
What work and labour of love he hath shewed towards the Name of Christ, whether he have ministred to the Saints, [Page] and do minister, Heb. 6.10.
Whether he fulfil all the Will of God, as David did, Acts 13.22.
Whether he follow God fully, as Caleb did.
Whether he be righteous before God, walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless, as Zechary and Elizabeth, Luk. 1.6.
Whether he be holy in all manner of conversation, as he is required to be, 1 Pet 1.15.
Whether his Conversation in this World be in simplicity and godly sincerity, 2 Cor. 1.12.
Whether he be zealous of good works, [...]it. 2.14.
Whether the zeal of Gods House do eat him up.
Whether he be contented to be nothing that God may be all, and to be accounted vile, so God may be honoured.
Whether he deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow Christ, Mat. 1 [...].24.
Whether he rejoyce in hope, and be patient in tribulation, and continue insta [...] in prayer, Rom 12.12.
N [...]w Conscience, I have an earnest request [Page] to thee; and seeing thou always lodgest in the bosom of my Reader, thou canst not want an oppor [...]nity to do what I shall request of thee. My Request [...] this, That thou wouldst deal honestly [...] my Reader, and tell him the truth of his estate what it is.
If he be a child of wrath, and in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, tell him so, and say to him as Peter to Simon Magus, Acts 8.23. I percive thou art in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity, a child of wrath, and the wrath of God will come upon thee if thou continue so, Eph. 5.6
If my Reader do live after the fl [...]sh, (and sure thou canst tell whether he do [...] or no) Good Conscience tell him that he does so, & that if he shall continue so to do, he shall dye; and shew him, Rom. 8.13. and bid him read it.
If my Reader do the work of the Lord negligently, deceitfully? if he offer to God a corrupt thing when he has a male to offer, tell him of the curse which hangs over his head, and make him read, Jer. 48.10. Mat 1.14
If he have no prayer in his Family, cause him to read, Jer. 10.25.
[Page] If he remember not the Sabbath day to keep it holy, give him no rest, till thou hast gotten him to read and ponder upon what is written, Jer. 17.27.
If he be an idle, slothful, unprofitable servant in the Lords work, shew him, Mat. 25.30.
If he be an unfruitful tree in the Lords vineyard, prevail with him (for thou canst do it) to read again and again the words of Christ, Luk 13.7, 8, 9. shew him also, Mat. 7.17. and Heb 6.7, 8. Say to him, why dost thou not take the Bible and read it?
Conscience, if my Reader believe not in Jesus Christ, if he do not obedientially rest upon him alone for salvation, tell him that if he do not believe the sooner he must be damned, Mark 16.16.
If he have not repented, if he have not confess [...]d his sin, and mourned for it, and turned from it unto God; tell him he must do it or perish, and shew him, Luke 13.3, 5.
If he be unrighteous, good Conscience tell him, that if he continue such, he shall never inherit the Kingdom of God▪ Compel him to read, 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.
If he be unholy, tell him, that he shal [...] [Page] never see the Lord; and let him not be quiet till he has taken the Bible and read it in Heb. 12 14.
If he be unregenerate, tell him, he cannot (if he continue so) see the Kingdom of God. Put the Bible into his hand, & bid him read, John 3.3, 5.
Conscience, if my Reader be a neglecter of that great Salvation profered in the Gospel, and continue so, tell him that he cannot escape Damnation, and shew him, Heb. 2 3.
If he turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven to him, tell him that he cannot escape the wrath of God; and shew him, Heb. 12.15. and Acts [...]3.23. and ask him whether he be not afraid of destruction?
And if he shall still refuse to hearken, and still pull away the shoulder, and stop his ears, and make his heart like an Adamant stone, tell him that great wrath will come upon him, Zech. 7.1 [...], 12.
Conscience, if my Reader be one of that black catalogue, 1 Cor▪ 6.9, 10. or a doer of the works of the flesh, Gal. [...]·19, 20, 21. tell him, that he shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. And if [Page] he ask thee what warrant thou hast to say so refer him to the forecited Scriptures.
Conscience, if my Reader should be fearful, unbelieving, abominable; if he should be a Murderer, a Whoremonger, a Sorcerer, an Idolater, a Liar; tell him that if he continue such, he must have his part in the lake that burneth with fire & brimstone; and make him read, Rev. 21.8.
Conscience, if my Reader be a proud person, tell him from God, that God is able to abase him, Dan. 4.37. and will be above him, Exod. 18.1▪ and bring him down, Psal. 18.27. and low, Prov. 29.23. even to destruction, Prov. 16.18. and 15.25. Get him also to read Isaiah 2.11. to 18. and Isaiah 3.16. to the end.
If my Reader be a covetous person, good Conscience, let him know from the Word of God,
1. That he is a troubler of his own house, Prov. 15.27
2 That he is in Gods account an Idolater, Col. 3.5 Eph. 5 5
3 That he is hated and abhorred of God, Psal. 10 3.
4 That he i [...] sorely threatned, Isa. 5. [Page] 1. Isa. 10 1, 2. Job 20.15, 19, 20. and 27.16, 17, 18 1 Cor. 16.10. And get him to read, 1 Tim 6 9.19.
And Conscience, if my Reader be a voluptuous person, an adulterous unclean person, I must intreat thee to send him to the Bible, and to see that he read and consider these following Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; Prov. 2.18, 19. Prov. 5 3, 4, 5, 6. to 14. Prov. 6.26, 32, 33. Prov. 7.21. to the end of the chap Prov 22.14 Prov. 23.27. Prov. 29.3. Eccles. 7▪ 26. 1 Cor 5.9. 1 Cor 6 9, 10. Eph. 5.5, 6. Heb. 13.4. Rev. 21.8. and 22, 15.
Good Conscience, be at him again & again, and never leave him till thou hast gotten him to go into his Closet, and there to spend one quarter or half an hour in pondering on those Scriptures.
Conscience, do thy Office; thou art Gods D [...]puty, fail not to be faithful.
Possibly thou mayst say, That thou hast done it again and again, but they will not hear, they are deaf to me as well as to you. But Conscience; if thou be a good Conscience, speak louder, speak not with so low a voice, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, for thou art ordained a [Page] Preacher to shew my Readers their transgressions and sins.
Be not silent whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, yet speak unto them. I know my Readers, many of them will endeavour to silence and stop thy mouth; they do not love to be [...]old of their faults, or what their estat [...] is: but Conscience be not thou rebellious, but do that which is thine Office to do I know thou hast much to charge my Readers with.
Some of them (thou knowest) do neither read the Scriptures, nor pray in their Families, nor Catechize them that are committed to their charge.
Others pray not in their Closets, nor do they commune with their own hearts about their spiritual estates; they examine not themselves, whether they be in the Faith, or whether Christ be in them; they compare not themselves with the Word of God, to know how it is with them.
Some spend their time and strength, and Estates in Rioting and Drunkenness, in Chambering and Wantonness in Strife and Envying.
Some trifle away their precious time [Page] in Taverns, Ale-houses, Play-houses, Coffee-houses.
Some embrace this present world with Demas.
Some are lovers of Pleasure more than lovers of God.
Some acknowledge God in their words, and in their works deny him.
Some have left their first love.
Some are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold.
Some say, Lord, Lord, but will not do the things that he says unto them.
Some believe not with their Hearts what with their Mouths they say they do believe.
Some confess sin with their lips, but do neither mourn for it, nor hate it, nor turn from it with their Hearts
Some pray for that they would not have.
Some hear the Word, but will not do it.
Some love in word and tongue, but not in deed and truth.
Some fashion themselves according to this world, yet would not be thought to be of the world.
Some Dedicate and Devote their [Page] Children to [...] to the service of that one God, who [...] Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and when they have so done, they alienate [...] from his service, to the service of the World, Flesh, and Devil, breeding them up in Idleness, Pride, and Wantonness. Never, or never to any purpose, minding them of their Baptismal Covenant and Engagement, to be wholly and only the Lords.
Some neglect relative Duty, (as thou Conscience knowest very well.)
Are not some Husbands bitter to their Wives, and some Wives disobedient to their Husbands?
Do not some Parents provoke their Children to wrath? and do not some Children dishonour their Parents?
Do not some Masters deny that which is just and equal to their Servants? and are not some Servants unfaithful to their Masters? D [...]st [...]hou not know all this to be true, Consci [...]nce? Doubtless thou doest, and doubtless thou doest often nip and twinge them for it. But good Conscience make them feel, make them smart, let them not go on in peace, disturb them, haunt them continually, tell them their own, and take a fit time and season for it.
[Page]My Reader doth frequently, or sometimes at least, hear Sermons, Sermons of the necessity of the New-birth, Faith, Repentance, Holiness. Take this opportunity, Conscience, of telling him the truth. Say to him, hearest thou what the Preacher says? hath he not clearly proved the necessity of New-birth, Faith, Repentance, Holiness unto life Eternal? What wilt thou do, Man, Woman? Thou art not New-born, thou hast not believed nor repented, thou art no [...] Holy. Sure thou canst not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, Joh. 3.3. Sure thou must be damned, Mat. 16 16. Sure thou must perish, Luk 13.3. thou canst not see the Lord to thy comfort in that unholy state thou art now in, Heb. 12.14.
My Reader prays constantly, or sometimes at least, and says, Lord give me a better Heart, a new Heart, a clean Heart, a soft Heart, a single Heart Lord, write thy Law in my Heart, plant thy Fear in my Heart, put thy Spirit into me, cause me to walk in thy [...]. Now Conscience, tell him the truth; say to him, Thou drawest nigh to God with thy lips, but thy heart is far from [Page] him. Thy Lip doth ask these things of God, but thy heart does not desire them; thou art well enough satisfied and contented, though thou be denied.
My Reader is sometimes busy in his Calling: Conscience go to him and say, Oh how busy thou art for back & belly! what provision makest thou for thy soul?
My Reader is sometimes at a Feast, or at his own Table: go to him Conscience, and say, O how sweet this meat is to thy taste! when shall the Word of God, and the meat indeed, and the drink indeed, be as sweet.
My Reader is sometimes in a Tavern, Ale House, or Coffee-house; Conscience, when he has done his necessary business there, go to him and say, Is not thy Family or Closet a fitter place for thee to be in?
Sometimes he is walking in the fields; Conscience go to him and ask him what he is meditating on, and put him in mind of Isaac's practice. Gen 24.6.
My Reader is sometimes sick: go to him, Conscience, and say, This is the just hand of God upon thee: and bid him take [...] Bible and read Jer. 4.18
Sometimes my Reader takes Physick, [Page] go to him Conscience, and say to him, when wilt thou be at so much cost for thy soul? when wilt thou space so much time from thy business for thy soul? when wilt thou keep thy Chamber a day or two for thy souls health?
Possibly my Reader hath lately been recovered out of a dangerous fit of sickness: go to him Conscience, and put him in mind of his sick-bed prayers and purposes, and say to him, Sin no more, least a worse thing come unto thee.
Conscience, have but a very little patience more, and I have done. Some of my Readers, thou knowest, have lain under the means of Grace a long time Ʋnconverted; would I could perswade thee to force them to read, Heb. 6.7, 8. Jer. 6 29. Ezek. 24.13, 14. Mat. 23.37, 38. Luk. 19▪ 41, 42. 2 Cor. 13.5. and not let them be quiet until they have mused a while on each: Conscience, I am in care and fear about my Readers, lest that dreadful Message be sent to them, that once was sent to Israel of old, Isaiah 6.9, 10. with Rom. 11.18. I beseech thee, Conscience, suffer them not to eat, drink, or sleep in quiet, until they have fixed their thoughts a while on this Message [...] reading of it▪ Conscience, I am [Page] out of hopes of my Readers welfare, unless thou be the more vigilant, diligent, and faithful in doing thy office. Wherefore I beseech thee, nay▪ I charge thee, as once Paul charged Timothy, 2 Tim. 4.1. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead [...] [...]ppearing and his Kingdom; preach the [...] to my Reader, be instant in season, out of season; Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort him, and continue thy speech to him, (as once Paul did to his Hearers, Acts 20.7.) until midnight rather than fail of prevailing with him. There are a few other Scriptures, which I desire my Reader might peruse, viz. 1 Sam. 2.25. 2 Chron. 25.16 Prov. 29.1. But Conscience, if thou wilt not by earnest and continual urging compel him, he will not bestow the time, nor take the pains to do it. In hope thou wilt be faithful to my Reader, I shall add no more, save only the promise of my prayers that thou mayst be so.
SERMON I.
My Righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my Heart shall not reproach me so long as I live
MY Righteousness I hold fast. His Friends would have robb'd him of it, would have perswaded him out of it, would have argued and disputed him out of it, but you shall not do it saith Job; I stand up in the defence of it, I hold it fast, I will not let it go: Say what you will, do what you can, I will maintain my integrity, I am not an Hypocrite as you would have me think I am, I am not an unrighteous man as you would speak me to be, and as you would have me take my self to be; no, my Righteousness I will hold fast, I will not let it go; [Page 2] pull while you will. I will hold it fast. Take we up the like Resolution: there are some that pretend to be friends, pretend friendship and kindness, but act the part of Job's friends here. Oh how many are there that would spoil us of ou [...] Righteousness! the World, the F [...]sh, and the Devil, pull to take it awa [...]; Hold we our Resolution not to let it go. Should I let it go, (saith Job) my Heart would reproach me, would upbraid me; my Conscience would accuse me of wrong done to my self, which is worse than doing wrong to others. It is bad to wrong others, much worse to wrong our selves: therefore he is resolved, My Heart shall not reproach me, no not so long as I live. In which words you have Job's holy resolution, My Heart shall not reproach me. My Heart, that is my Conscience, for so Heart is to be understood, 1 John 3.20, 21. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart: And if our heart condemn us not, &c. that is our Conscience. So that by Heart you must here understand Conscience. Conscience! Is there any such thing in the World? Sure one would think that Conscience had been dead [Page 3] long ago, and that there wa [...] no Conscience now alive in the World. But (Sirs) it will have a Resurrection assure your selves, for it is of an Immortal Nature; and though it may seem to die, it will have a real Resurrection▪ Sleep is the image of Death, and Conscience may for a while be asleep, but as sure as ever thou didst awake when thou wast asleep, Conscience will awake ere long: and when it shall awake, it will make you look about. My Conscience shall not reproach me, shall not upbraid, shall not acc [...]se me of any wrong done to my self, nor of any omission of what is my Duty, nor of any commission of what is Transgression, it shall not accuse me, either for omitting what God hath commanded, (and God hath commanded me to preserve my own Integrity, and to seek my own peace and quiet; or accuse me for committing what God hath forbidden, God hath forbidden me the wronging of my self, and Conscience shall not [...]cuse me for doing what God hath forbidden, so long as I live▪ Hitherto hi [...] Conscience accused him not, O Excellent Job! A man more righteous [Page 4] then his Neighbour. Indeed he was one that had the Commendation of God himself; no wonder he doth stand up in his own justification, being a person that had Gods so great Commendation. Job 1.1. There was a man in the Land of Uz, whole name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And a further Commendation the Lord gave him, ver 8. Hast thou not considered my Servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth ▪ &c. No wonder that he stands upon his own Justification. Hitherto I have so lived that my Conscience cannot accuse me, and he was resolved so to live. I will have a care (whatever I suffer) to have Conscience on my side: I will have Conscience to be my Friend, I will not do any thing that shall occasion Conscience to be my Foe: For I were better to have all the World, yea, if there were ten thousand Worlds, it were better for me to have them all to be my mortal enemies, then to have Conscience to be my enemy.
Now it will be needful to consider what Conscience is that is so great a [Page 5] Friend or Foe: it will be the best Friend or the worst enemy, according as your carriage towards God and Man shall be, I shall shew,
- 1. What Conscience is.
- 2. About what it is imployed.
- 3. How it is imployed
And then when I have so done, I shall tell you and prove it, that it should be your greatest care so to live, that Conscience, may not reproach you whilest you live; and then give you reasons of it, and then Apply it.
I. General. What Conscience is.
Briefly. Conscience is a mans Judgement of himself, i. e. Of his Estate and Actions: Or thus, if you will; Conscience is a Power of the Soul; for the Soul is endowed with N [...]ble Powers and Faculties, Ʋnderstanding, Conscience, Memory, Will and Affections: and Conscience is not the least of them. I say, Conscience is a Power of the Soul taking notice and bearing witness of all a mans Thoughts, Words and Actions; and as it finds them, either to agree or not agree with the Rule, it accuses or excuses, absolves or condemns, comforts or torments. This is Con [...]c [...] ence. Do you think there is any such [Page 6] Inhabitant in you? It may be some have taken no notice of any such Inhabitant in the House of their Soul, whether there be any such Power of the Soul or no. I say it again, Conscience is a Power of the Soul, taking notice, and bea [...]ing witness, (it takes notice that it may bear witness) of all a man [...] Thoughts, Words, and Actions; and a [...] it finds his Thoughts, Words, or Actions, to be either agreeing or not agreeing w [...]th the Rule, so it doth excuse or accuse, absolve or condemn, comfort or torment. This is Conscience.
1 It is a Power of the Soul; it is called Heart, 1 John 3. [...]0. For if our heart condemn us, &c. and Ecc [...]es 7.22. For oftentimes als [...] thine own hea [...]t knoweth, &c. It is called likewise the Spirit o [...] a man, Prov 18 14▪ The Spirit of [...] man will sustain his infirmities, but [...] wound [...] Spirit who can bear?
2 Conscience is a Power of the Sou [...] taking no [...]ice; it is a most curi [...]us Observer. C [...]n [...]cie [...]ce is very q [...]ick sighted. It is con [...]i [...]ually p [...]ying, though we [...] not observe and take notice of it; yet so it is. What is said of God, Psa [...]m [...] 132.3, 4. is true of his D [...]pu [...]y: Who [Page 7] is that? It is Conscience. Conscience is no mean thing, it is Gods Deputy, and what is said of God in that place is true of Conscience: Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and thou art acquainted with all my ways, for there is not a word in my mouth, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether: Thou hast beset me behind and before. So that a man cannot stir but God seeth, and Conscience seeth; and knoweth and taketh notice of it; and one would wonder how Conscience will revive what was done seven years, and three times seven years ago. Conscience will whisper in your ear, this was in your heart, and this was in your tongue, and this was in your hands, this was thought by you, that was sp [...]ken by you, and that was done by you; that which we had utterly forgotten, how fresh many years after doth Conscience bring it to mind? Conscience took notice of it, and did well observe it. Thus Conscience is a Power of the Soul taking notice.
3. And bearing witness, it taketh notice that it may bear witness, if it should not take notice it could not bear [Page 8] witness. Can a man bear witness of that which he never knew, which he never saw, nor heard? Rom. 2.14. The Apostle speaking of the Gentiles, saith, Having not the Law, they do by nature the things contained in the Law: these having not the Law, are a Law unto themselves, which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their Conscience also bearing witness. It is an old proverbial speech, Conscience is a thousand Witnesses; nay it's more than a thousand or ten thousand Witnesses; that one Witness is enough to cast us. If Conscience be a Witness, there is no need of any further Witness. As they said of Christ, What need we any further witness, we have it from his own mouth? So will the Lord say to the Sinner, What need any further Witness his own Conscience is witness? You read of the Testimony of Conscience, sometimes it is for, and sometimes against.
1 It is sometimes for us, as 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our re [...]oycing (saith the Apostle) the testimony of our Conscience, that in all simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fl [...]shly wisd [...]m, but by the grace [Page 9] of God [...] our conversation in the World.
2. And sometimes against us, and then, 'tis a Hell above ground, a Hell on this side Hell.
3. It further follows, that Conscience is a Power of the Soul taking notice of, and bearing witness of a mans Thoughts, Words, and Actions, so that the Thoughts shall not escape Consciences Observation, nor shall a Word escape Consciences hearing, nor a Work Consciences recording. And as Conscience find the Th [...]ughts, Words or Actions, either agreeing or not agreeing with the Rule, it will excuse or accuse. Conscience cannot be a Wi [...]ness of our Thoughts, Word [...] and Actions, whether they be acco [...]ding to the Ru [...], or contrary to it, whether they agree with the Rule or warp from it, unless it be a strict Observer: And if it find our Thoughts, Words and Actions to agree wi [...]h the Rule, it excuseth; if not to agree with the Rule, it a [...]cuseth: Rom 2 1 [...]. Their thoughts in the mean while accusing or excusi [...]g one another.
4. And th [...]n it follow, a [...]s [...]ving or condemning. For the tru [...]h is Cons [...]ience [Page 10] is a Judge, a Deputy Judge, which God hath set up and given Power to, that according as it finds Thoughts, Words and Actions, to be according to Rule, or not according to Rule, it may either acquit or condemn.
5. And then it comforteth or tormenteth also, as it findeth Thoughts, Words and Actions, either to agree or not to agree with the Rule, 2 Cor. 1 12. This is rejoycing in the Testimony of our Conscience; there is the comfort of Conscience. And Mark 9.44. It is a worm that never dieth; there is the torment of it. Thus you see Conscience is a Power of the Soul, taking notice and bearing witness of all a mans thoughts, words and actions; and as it finds them either agreeing or not agreeing wi [...]h the Rule, it excuseth or accuseth, absolveth or condemneth, comforeth or tormenteth. This is called Conscience. It is called Conscience some think because it is a Knowledge with others. Pray observe, God knows, Angels know, Devils know, Men know, and all these witness, and Conscience knoweth and witnesseth with them. God knows. Job 16.19. My witness is in [Page 11] Heaven, my record is on high. There is one in Heaven that knows, and one in Heaven that can witness; though the Husband doth not know, though the wife doth not know, and father and friend doth not know, yet God knows, and there is one on earth knows, and that is Conscience. God is my witness, saith Paul, Rom. 1 9. God doth know it, and can witness it. All things are naked and open to him with whom we have to do, Heb. 4.13. It is a notable Scripture, Hos. 7.2. And they consider not in their hearts, that I remember all their wickedness. Whosoever forgets it, and though they themselves forget it, yet I remember it well enough They do not consider that I remember all their wickedness, their own doings have beset them about, they are all before my face, even what is not before the Husbands face and the Wifes face. God knows what things are acted behind one anothers backs; all is before Gods face, He knows it, and takes notice of it. Psal. 139 begin. 2. Angels know it too; the Angels are Ministring Spirits about some: they are imployed here on Earth, though we take no notice [Page 12] of it They are in our Congregations and Meetings, and they observe how we carry our selves there. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the Angels, saith the Apostle. 1 Cor. 11.10. i. e. the Woman is to be modest in the Congregation because of the Angels. The Lord return Modesty home again, for Modesty seems to be banished from among us. But do Angels know? Do the good Angels know? Yes, when we do well the good Angels rejoyce: if a Sinner be converted, if the lost Sheep be found, there is joy among the Angels; therefore they know it. Luk. 27.10. 3. The bad Angels know too, they go about as Observers. You cannot go to the Congregation, but the Devil makes one there. The Sower goes out [...]o sow the good seed, then comes the Enemy, the Devil, and steals it away. Mat. 13 19. He also goes about as a roaring Li [...]n every where. 1 Pet. 5.8 He goes to and fro in the earth, and walks up and down in it Job 1 7. observing what People do; for he is the Accuser of the Brethren, and he will when time serves remember people of what they have [Page 13] done, though dons by his instigation and temptation: see Zech. 3.1. Poor Creatures are tempted to destroy themselves; well, God delivers them, and now they are ashamed. O what a shame is this (saith the Devil) that thou hast attempted to destroy thy self? how canst thou look any body in the face without shame? go and destroy thy self. This was the case of a poor creature that I have twice spoken with; once she attempted to drown her self; I spake with her and gave her the best counsel I could: she answered me, I am ashamed, I am ashamed, I cannot go about any thing. Not many days after she went into a wood to cut her own Throat, but God delivered her: But this poor Creature is still under discontent, the D [...]vil doth remember her. I beseech you consider how many Witnesses there are of all that you do; you think to sin in the dark, and to do it so that no eye shall see you; you think to draw the Curtains and then none can see you; but you deceive your selves, it is Noon Day with God still, and so it is with Angels, and with the Devil too; there is nothing hid from them. 4. Men know, they [Page 14] are our Observers. Some have their eyes in their heads, and see that which should make their eyes weep and trickle down with tears, and if they have any Zeal for God the sight of their Eyes will affect their Hearts. And besides this, Conscience also knows, and therefore called Conscience (as some think) because it knows with others, It knoweth with God, with Angels, with Devils, & knows it to be all true, which God lays to our charge, and what the Devil lays to our charge; so that Conscience is a Knowledge together with others. Rom 1.9. My Conscience bearing me witness My Conscience co-witnessing my Conscience witnessing togeth [...]r with God; God knows i [...], and doth witness [...]; and my Conscience [...] i [...], and doth witness it; and my Conscience together with me knows i [...].
There is a double Act of the Understanding; there is a Direct Act whereby we know a thing, and there is a R [...]fl [...]ct Act whereby w [...] know that we know it. And this is the Action of Conscience▪ Isa. 59 12. For our transgressions are multip [...]ied be [...]ore thee, and our sins they testifie against us; for our transgressions [Page 15] are with us, & as for our iniquities we know them, we know that we have sinned. So that Conscience is a recoiling or a reflection of the Soul upon it self; according to that of Paul, 1 Cor. 4.4
II. General. I come in the next place to shew about what Conscience is imploy'd. It is imploy'd about the whole man and all his actions. It hath a Commission thus to employ it self about the understanding, how that doth Act, about the m [...]mory to observe how that doth act, about the will, how that doth act, & the affections how they do act, it is imployed to observe whether the man be sanctified or not, and it is imployed about his Actions whether they be good or bad, about our actions towards God or Man, towards our selves or others. And it is imployed about every thing that is either a Sin or a Du [...] ▪ Conscience is imployed to observed how you eat, and drink, it is imployed to observe how you dress & habit your s [...]lv [...]s, how you buy and s [...]ll, and de [...]l and tr [...]de in the World; it is implo [...]ed to observe how you read the Scripture, pray in your Family, in your Closet, and i [...] the Congregation, how you Sa [...]ctifi [...] [...]he [Page 16] Sabbath, receive Sacraments, how you spend your time, how long you ly a Bed in a morning, how late you set up a [...] night, and about what; to observe [...] how you carry your selves alone, & how you carry your selves in Company, to observe what you do in the Streets, or in the Field, in this place or in the othe [...] place, in this Company or in the othe [...] Company; it goeth along with you, & it will never leave you. God help m [...] to mind this. I hope you will make th [...] same prayer for your selves, that I mak [...] for my self.
III. General How Conscience is im [...]ployed. From the Description of Conscience which I have given you, yo [...] may unde [...]stand that Conscience hath several Offices, the Office of a Notary or Register, the Office of a Witness o [...] Accus [...]r, the Office of a Judge or a Con [...]demner, the Office of a Comforter o [...] a Tormenter; Conscience is imploye [...] in such Offices as these are, and Consci [...]ence will first or last be faithful in th [...] executing of them, and it will do its O [...]fice to purpose.
1. It is in [...] as a Notary or Re [...]gister to wri [...] down all we do; to wri [...] [Page 17] it down as with the point of a Diamond, to Book it down and Seal it up, that it may come to light again.
2. It is imployed as an Accuser, when we do amiss, when we warp from the Rule.
3. It is imployed as a Judge, to pass sentence of life or death▪ Oh, Sirs, how many poor souls are condemned by their own hearts? Their own Consciences tell them, Thou art a Damned Creature, thou art an undone soul: It may be Conscience as yet doth not [...]it in Judgment, it is not Sessions or Assizes time wi [...]h you, it may be it is adjourned and put off to a longer time. But assure your selves the time will come, the time is at hand.
4. Conscience is also imployed as a Comforter, as an Acquitter an Absolver if we do well, 2 Cor. 1.12. This is our rejoycing, the testim [...]ny of our Conscience, that in simplicity and god [...]y sincerity, &c. we have had our conversation in the world. What greater rej [...]cing than this? when Conscience shall acquit me in the pres [...]nce of G [...]d, when Conscience shall be able to say as Hezekiah, Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before thee in truth [Page 18] and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. Oh what a comfort will it be when Conscience shall reflect upon its believing in Christ, upon its confession of sin, repentance and tears, sighs and groans for sin. This is my rejoycing, the testimony of my Conscience; that I have been alone in a corner in my Closet with tears in mine eyes, and sorrow in my heart, that I have rolled my self on Christ and cast all my care upon Christ.
5. Then as a Tormenter Conscience is imployed. When Conscience shall recoil, and thus refl [...]ct upon a man. When thou shou [...]st have be [...]n in thy Closet thou wast here or there in the Street or in the Field, in the Coffee-House or Taverns: when thou shouldst [...]a [...]e be [...]n with God alone, thou hast been elsewhere. Thou couldst ly down and rise up without having God before thine eyes: thou couldst eat and drink wi [...]hout [...]ar and without rule, and buy and sell, and habit thy self without fear. There is as much danger in habiting and dressing ou [...] selves, as in eating and drinking; O what if this [Page 19] dress should be a snare, what if this should occasion the committing of Adultery; He that looks upon a Woman to lus [...] after her (saith Christ) hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart. Saith one, There is a fine clea [...] skin, and so saith a second, and a third; but do you know what temptation may lye in a n [...]ked skin: the Lord help us to take heed of it. I would commend you a little Bo [...]k, it is but three-pence price, it is called, The Hairy Comet, very fit for an Hairy Age. This is indeed an Hairy Age; God deliver us from false Hearts, for we can see almost nothing but false Heads every where. Assure your selves, Conscience will have a Bou [...] with m [...]n for this another day.
Conscience will not let this go unobserved: Conscience doth write down this, and will hereafter find a time to read it to you: It may be the Wife will say I must please my Husband, and the Husband will say I must please my Wife. But have a care I beseech you to please Conscience, that it may not be against you another day. See that Conscience [Page 20] be for you, and that Conscience may have no cause to upbraid you, and torment you another day. Let Jobs care be your care; let not Conscience reproach you so long as you live. I beseech you earnestly, let it be your great care to have A Conscience void of offence towards God and towards Man; towards your selves and others. And if you so do, you will have no cause to repent your being here to hear this Lesson.
SERMON II.
My Righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my Heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
THis was Job's resolution, why should it not be ours? Those that have felt the Reproaches of Conscience once, would be [...]oth to feel them a second time. The very bruit Beasts, when once they have been either in the mire, or in the fire, will take heed how they come there again. You can hardly force th [...]m into a Bog wherein they have been mired, they will turn this way, and that way, and run back again upon you, rather than run into the mire wherein they have been already. A wound [...]d Conscience who can bear? They [Page 22] that have felt that wound, and have gotten it heal'd will take heed how they make another.
The PROPOSITlON I gave you was this; ‘It should he our greatest care so to live, that our Consciences may have no occasion to accuse or reproach us while we live.’
Some do so live that their neighbours can have no occasion to reproach them; some there are that so live, that the very worst have a good word for them; I have known some that have been so unblameable, of such a sweet disposition, so kind and courteous to all, and have lived so inoffensively, that the worst have had a good word for them. But where are they that have or do carry themselves so, that their Consciences have no occasion to accuse them, or to reproach them? Commend me to that person if you can. I have already shewed you what Conscience is, and about what it is imployed, and how it is imployed.
[Page 23]I come now to the Proof of the Doctrine. This was Jobs care you see; he was resolved upon it, that he w [...]uld so walk and so watch that Conscience might have no occasion to reproach him. And hath Job no Fellows? yea many; the Scripture speaketh of such that have made it their care so to walk, that Conscience might have no just occasion to reproach them. David was one of them, as appears by what he saith, Psal. 16.8. Psal. 119.3, 112, 113. although there was a time when he gave Conscience too great occasion to reproach him, and his Conscience did reproach him to purpose at last. Ah poor David! what broken bones had he? This was Hezekiah's care, else he could not have had the testimony of his Conscience for him as he had; Remember (saith he▪ Isa. 38 3.) O Lord how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. Perfect heart, that is an upright heart; perfection, not of degrees, but of parts; is there to be understood. There are many such other places in Scripture, as in the Book of Psalms, Mark the perfect [Page 24] man, and behold the upright; where you find one word to explain the other. This also was Pauls care, else could not he have had the testimony of his Conscience as he had. This is our rejoycing, (saith he) the testimony of our Conscience, &c. 2 Cor. 1.12. it was Pauls exercise, Acts 24.16. And herein do I exercise my self, to have always a Conscience void of offence, toward God and toward Man.
Reason I.
The grounds and reasons of it follow. One reason why we should take all possible care that Conscience may have no occasion to reproach us, is because if occasion be given, these reproaches are unavoidable, I say these reproaches, vexations and accusations of Conscience will be unavoidable; there is no escaping from them: we may give occasion to others, and possibly there may be some avoiding that which we give occasion of; but here is no avoiding or escaping in this case. Conscience may be asleep, and Conscience may say nothing a great while, but at last it will awake, and [...] office, in accusing and in judging, condemning and tormenting▪ [Page 25] David's Conscience was asleep for a great while, but afterwards Nathan cometh to him from the Lord, and ro [...]seth Conscience, and then Conscience set most violently upon him; as appears by Psal. 51. where he complaineth of broken bones, and prayeth that the bones which were broken might rejoyce. So Joseph's Brethren, they heard nothing of Conscience a great while, but at last Conscience twinges them, at last Conscience put on his envenomed sting; (no such sting as the sting of Conscience) at last Conscience taketh them by the throat, Gen 42.21 And they said one to another, we are verily guilty concerning [the Blood of] our Brother, &c. though men do with the Harlot for a great while wipe their mouths, and say, What evil have we done? As Joseph's Brethren, they sold their Brother Joseph. Conscience said never a word to them, let them alone a great while: they came and told their Father a lie, and Conscience said never a word to them, when they told their Father that Joseph was slain: they saw their Father mourning as if he were going down into the Grave, Conscience saith nothing all [Page 26] the while: a Famine cometh upon the Land, Conscience yet saith nothing to them: at last they come down into Egypt, there they meet with hard usage, and are in danger of Imprisonment. Now Conscience beginneth to rouze up it self like a Lyon, to tear and devour, then they cry our, Verily we are guilty concerning the blood of our Brother. You see Conscience had an awakening time, though it had been asl [...]ep; the Morning came for its awakening. So Judas's Conscience was asleep for a great while [...] and one would wonder that it should ever be so last asl [...]ep as it was, Mat. 26▪15▪ You may read there some passages o [...] it. He go [...]th to the Chief Pri [...]sts and maketh a Bargain: What will y [...]u give me, and I will deliver Jesu [...] to you? and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of Silver: there he maketh a bargain for a little Silver to Sell his Lord and Master, and to betray innocent blood: Conscience saith never a word to him. Further, he sought for opportunity to betray Christ, yet Conscience saith nothing to him, v. 21. when he was come into the presence of his Master, he came with the Disciples [Page 27] to the Passeover, yet Conscience saith nothing to him all the while: when he was at the Passeover and eating, Christ telleth his Disciples that one of them should betray him, yet Judas's Conscience saith never a word to him, but letteth him alone all this while. Nay further, when the Disciples at these words were exceeding sorrowful, and began to say every one of them, Lord, i [...] it I? yet Judas's Conscienoe saith nothing to him. And Christ said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me: yet his Conscience was asleep all this while. Further, ver. 24 Christ pronounceth a Wo to that man by whom he should be betrayed; yet the denunciation of that Wo did not awaken Judas's Conscience; Wo to him; it had been g [...]od for that man he had never been born. It is ma [...]ter of admiration and amazement, that his Conscience should be so fast asl [...]p; the Devil entred into him, and [...]ock [...]d Conscience asl [...]ep till he might be sure to do him mischief enough; ver. 25. Then Judas which betrayed him, put the question and said, Master, is it I? Methinks his Conscience [Page 28] should have flown in his face like a Mastiff Nay further saith Christ, Thou hast said; thou art the man: and yet for all this Judas's Conscience was not awake. This is indeed matter of admiration, that a mans Conscience should be so [...]ast asleep. But how many Instances of such sleepy Consciences do this very Age afford? But doth Judas's Conscience sleep always? No, Then Judas which betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, he brought again the Thirty pieces of Silver to the Chief Priests, and said, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. But miserable Comforters were those Christ-Buyers, they bought him to be Crucified; they did reply to him when he said, I have sinned; What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the thirty pieces of Silver in the Temple, and went and hanged himself And now his Conscience was so awake that it would not suffer him to live. I assure you, h [...]wsoever Conscience will be asl [...]ep for a great while, yet the time will come that Conscience will do its Office; and th [...]refore it doth greatly concern us to take great care [Page 29] that Conscience may have no occasion to reproach us. O happy Judas if thou hadst never made a bargain to sell thy Master, and hadst never sought opportunity to betray him! O happy, if thou hadst never accompanied the Band of Souldiers, that came to apprehend him: But he came along with the Band of Souldiers, and gave them the Sign, The Man whom I shall kiss is the Man, [...]old him fast: Yet Conscience did not reproach him. But let men do what they can to stop the mouth of Conscience, it will speak at last, and they will be biting words. Carnal Reasonings cannot stop it, carnal Pleasures cannot bribe it, nor any variety of diversions silence it. Cain you know he was quiet a while, Gen 4.13. But after a while Cain's Conscience did reproach him, would not let him alone. B [...]s [...]azzar, he is merry a while with his Courtiers and Companions in drinking Wine in Bowls, but after he falls a trembling and his knees smote one against [...]he other, and he grew pale when he saw the hand wri [...]ing on the wall. Conscience will s [...]e an hand w [...]iting not on the w [...]ll, but in this book. I have spok [...]n with some poor [Page 30] Souls, that could say, this Word is against me, and that Word is against me, there are words enough in this Book against you. Conscience will one day awake and reproach and will not be bribed, will not have its mouth stopt. This is one great reason why we should be careful to live that Conscience may not reproach us while we live, for the reproaches of Conscience are unavoidable.
Reason II.
Another reason why we should take all possible care that Conscience may have no occasion to reproach us, is because the reproaches of Conscience are Intollerable, there will be no bearing of them. A wounded Spirit who can bear? None are able to bear it. Many instances might be given; you may read Job 7.13, 14▪ 15. When I say my Bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint; then thou scarest me with dream [...], and terri [...]i [...]st me with visions, so that my [...] strangling, and death rather than life. Oh Sir [...], what a case will the terrours and accus [...]ions of Conscie [...]ce b [...]ing the p [...]or c [...]ature into? Job 10 [...]. My soul is weary of my life? [Page 31] I will leave my Complaint upon my self, &c. Psalm 32.3, 4 When I kept si [...]ence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day, &c. All this was occasioned through the reproaches of Conscience. I might add, Prov. 12.25. Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh a man to stoop. I have known those that have been bowed together by reason of the agonies of Conscience. I knew one, at whose Eyes and Ears Blood hath gushed forth by reason of the Agonies of Conscience. Prov. 17 22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. You know Judas did chuse rather to die than endure it. Bilney and Baynham (after they had abjured) felt such pangs, such a Hell in their Consciences, till they had openly professed their sorrow for it, as they would not have felt again for all the world. Daniel chose rather to be cast into the Lyons Den, then to carry a Lyon in his bosom, viz. an enraged Conscience. Richard the Third was a terror to himself after he had murdered his two innocent Nephews. Charles the Ninth of France, after that bloody Massacre by which his Conscience was enraged, could [Page 32] not endure to be awakened in the night, without Musick or some other diversion, Thus much for the Reasons of the Point. I proceed to the
APPLICATION. ƲSE I. Of Reproof.
The first Use sh [...]l [...] be for Reproof of [...]ose that take no such care to avoid th [...] Reproaches of Conscience, but do that which will be cast by Conscience as a Reproach upon them another day. How do some for many years together heap up Fuel to keep a Fire burning within them? No soon [...] is [...] Fuel spent, but there is more Fu [...]l [...] on again; fresh sins are committed, and after a while these sins come to remembrance, and set the Fire a burning. It may be a man may weather it out a little, but then more sins come to light, and that sets the Fire a burning again, and so there is no end. Conscience hath not forgotten any thing done many years ago, but remembers it as if it had been done yesterday. You that cannot endure to be reproached, that cannot endure to hear others reproached, that cannot bear the reproaches of M [...]n, when as it may be they reproach wrongfully; how will [Page 33] you bear (not the false, but) true Accusations of Conscience? Men may reproach falsely, but Conscience will reproach truly. Men may reproach thee, and yet thine own Conscience may clear thee when they accuse thee; but i [...] Conscience reproach thee, then who shall clear thee? Men may grow weary or ashamed of reproaching thee, but if Conscience reproach thee, will that grow weary or ashamed? No, never. If some men reproach us, others may clear us: but if Con [...]cience reproach us▪ who then can clear us? This should humble us that we [...] Consci [...]nce occasion to repro [...]ch u [...], 2 Sam 24.1. If you have not tak [...]n this [...] [...]o avoid the Reproaches of Con [...]c [...]e, it will reproach you as it did David, whose Heart smot [...] him after he had [...] the People; and David said unto the Lord, [...] [Page 34] he thus complains; Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins: so foolish was I and ignorant; I was as a Beast before thee. If you neglect Conscience when it points with the Finger, and gives direction; assure your selves, Conscience will have a time to smite with the fist, and to give correction, and then there will be no enduring of it: as it was with David when his Heart smote him, Psal. 69 7. if shame covered David's face when men reproached him. Oh what a shame will cover our Faces when Conscience shall reproach us! Reproach hath broken my heart, (saith he) and I am fu [...]l of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was n [...]ne, and for comf [...]rters, but I found none. Verse 20. This will be your case and your complaint when Conscience shall reproach you. Reproach hath broken my heart They gave me Gall for meat, and Vinegar to drink; saith he, Ver. 21. Conscience will give Gall and Vinegar to us, unless some course be taken for the quieting of it; if you make it not your ca [...]e [...] to live, tha [...] Conscience may not reproach you To be able to say, For Gods sake I have [Page 35] born reproach. Psal. 69.7. will be a comfort: but if for our Lusts sake we bear reproach, what a Torment will that be? When Conscience shall say, This is for the sake of that proud Lust, this is for the sake of that drunken Lust, that wanton Lust of thine▪ this is for that Passion of thine, that [...]oward and fretful Spirit of thine: when Conscience shall say, This is for the sake of such a Lust which thou didst indulge, and kept as a sweet morsel under thy tongue, notwithstanding the perswasions of all Gods Ministers to the contrary: how wilt thou be able to bear it?
ƲSE II Of Exhortation.
Take care that Conscience may not have occasion to reproach you while you live. The Reasons before mentioned may serve as Motives. The unavoidableness and intolerableness of these reproaches of Conscience, these are Motives enough to engage us to take all care that Conscience may not reproach us. Let it be your care to have a Conscience void of offence, (Prov 15.1 [...] 2 Cor 1.12) and then Conscience inst [...] of accusing will excuse, instead [Page 36] of condemning it will acquit you. If you hearken to the voice of Conscience, informed and guided by the Word of God, it will be a continual feast unto you, Prov. 15.15. and your dayly rejoycing. This is our rejoycing, (saith the Apostle) the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world. When a man hath Conscience on his side, this will be a cordial in any condition whatsoever, in a Prison, a cordial in a Dungeon, a cordial in a strange Country, and a cordial in the worst of suff [...]ings that we can meet with. Keep Conscience void of offence, and so live tha [...] Conscience may not reproach you, and all will be well. How may we so live, you will say, that Conscience may not reproach us while we live? or if we have so [...] ▪ that Conscience hath had cause to [...] us, how may we get those [...] wiped off, and [...] Conscience [...] That I shall reserve for [...].
SERMON III.
My Righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my Heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
HAving already shewed you what Conscience is, and about what it is imployed, and how it is imployed, and given you several reasons why we should make it our great care so to live, that Conscience may not reproach us while we live: and having made some Use of the Doctrine, I now come to resolve two questions or cases.
1. The first is, how we may so live, walk and act, and carry our selves, that Conscience may have no cause to reproach us another day?
2. If we have so lived, so Walked, so acted, and so carried our selves, that [Page 38] Conscience hath had just cause to reproach us, and doth reproach us; what is to be done that the reproaches of Conscience may be wiped off, that Conscience may be quiet and cease to accuse and condemn, cease to vex and torment? These are the two cases I am to answer.
Case 1. How may we so live, walk, act and carry our selves, that Conscience may have no cause to reproach us? You see that Job did so live and carry himself, that though his friends did reproach him, his Conscience did not reproach him; though his friends did charge him, yet his Conscience did discharge him, though his friends did condemn him, yet his Conscience did acquit him. He did so live, that he was able to maintain his integrity and Uprigh [...]ness; and doubtless it is not a thing impossible, but we do not set to it, we do not se [...] about it in earnest. If we be Christians indeed, and not almost Christians, we might so live as Conscience might have no just cause to reproach us. O Sirs, Relations may reproach us Wives may reproach Husbands, and Husbands reproach Wives, [Page 39] Children may reproach Parents, and Servants reproach their Masters, and one Neighbour reproach another; but it is possible so to live, that Conscience all this while may be at peace, and not reproach us. Possibly you may be ready to think and say within your selves, Would we could tell how we might so live, pray let us have some directions how we may so live that Conscience may not reproach us. But before I give counsel should not I know of you whether you will follow it? And in case you will not follow it, why should I give it? Ask your selves therefore, if the Minister shall give us no other counsel than what God himself gives us, should not I follow it? Sirs, if I give you any other counsel than what God in his holy Word doth give you, I would entreat you not to follow it: nay, if you set it at naught I shall not be offended. Consider what Jethro said to Moses, Exod. 18.23. If thou shalt do this thing and God command thee so; so say I. Therefore consider, whether God say as I say, whether God command you so; if so, pray take heed how you do set at nought the Counsel of God. Now the [Page 40] first Direction which I shall give you is this.
Direction I.
Set God always before you. And this will be a means so to live, that Conscience may not reproach you. Assure your selves there is no time wherein Gods Back is turned, no time wherein Gods Eye is not upon you: if you can find a time when God is absent, you may take your liberty and do what you list. You know of what force the Masters presence is among the servants; of what force the Parents presence is among the Children to restrain them; of what force the presence of a Minister, or a grave, serious and holy Christian, is to restrain People from what otherwise they would take liberty to do. Sure Gods Presence should be of greater force to restrain us, if we do not live in the Apprehension thereof. O if we could but set God always before us, what manner of persons should we be in all holy Conversation, all holy cogitation, and in all holy Communicati [...]n too! David did s [...]t God alwa [...]s before him, and why should not we do so too? Psal 16 8. I have set the Lord always [Page 41] before me. O then it was that David was a man after Gods own heart; then it was that David was such a Praying man, and such a Praising man, and such an holy and heavenly man, when he did set the Lord always before him. You know how persons will carry themselves in the sight of Men, if they have any thing to do in the sight of others, how they will do it; O that we could do all we do as in the sight of God. This was the charge that was given to Abraham by God himself, Gen 17.1. Walk before me and be thou perfect; that is, upright. There is no such way to be upright, as to live in the Apprehension of the Presence of God, and to have this always run in our thoughts, God heareth, God sees, and God knows. O that this were written upon your Desks and Shop Boards, God sees; O that this were written upon your Tables, God sees; O that this were written upon your Looking Glass [...]s, God sees; O that this were written upon all your Attire and Dress [...]s, God see,; and O that this were written upon your Naked Breasts and Shoulders, God sees, and upon your Faces and Fore-heads too. I do assure you (Sirs) [Page 42] that God does see you; O that you would live in the continual Apprehension of it. God sees thee, God knows what all your thoughts are, what all your designs are, what all your sayings and doings are. Be ever thinking, God knows, God hears, God sees. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths, Prov 3.6. This will make you careful to keep Gods Precepts, if in all your ways you look upon God as your Observer and Overseer. This was that which made David careful to observe Gods Precepts, Psal. 119.168. I have kept thy Precepts and thy Testimonies. O blessed David, how didst thou do this! He tells you in the next words, For all my ways are before thee. I could heartily wish that you would often and seriously read and consider these three or four Scriptures; Job 34.21, 22. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his goings. There is no darkness or shadow of death, where the Workers of iniquity may bide themselves. There is no hiding from God, he sees all our goings: we cannot set one foot before another, but God sees it. Alas, alas, if a man do but go out of doors, God [Page 43] sees it, if he goes into the Field God sees it, if he goes to other Houses God sees it, if he goes to his own house, God sees it too. Prov. 15.3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beho [...]ding the evil and the good. Prov. 5.2. The wayes of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. I desire you once a week to read over the former part of the 139 Psalm. If I should desire you to read it once a day, it would not be lost labour. You will see there is no going out of the sight and presence of God. Verily (Sirs) to set God always before us, and to live in the Sight and Apprehension of the Presence of God, this would have such an influence upon our thoughts, words and works, that it would make them pleasing to God; and if so, Conscience would never reproach us for them; for Conscience will not reproach us for doing that which is pleasing to God. Thus much for the first Direction.
Direction II.
Set up Gods will revealed in his Word as the Rule of all your thoughts, words, and actions; as the rule of all you do in your general calling, and of all you do [Page 44] in your particular calling; as a rule of all your natural, civil, and religious actions; set up the Will of God revealed in his Word, as the rule of your all. Let it be the rule of your carriage towards God, of your carriage toward men, toward your selves, and toward others. This is Scripture direction, the Counsel which the Holy Ghost giveth; therefore I beseech you seriously consider of it and follow it, Psal. 119.6. Then shall not I be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandments: and in the 9 [...]h. verse a Question is put; Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? (the answer followeth) By taking heed thereto according to thy Word; doing all according to Rule. What hath a child a copy for, but to write after it? and what hath the Mason a Line and a Plummet for, but to build by it? Let the Word of God be thy Lamp and thy Light, Psal. 119 105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my pa [...]h. Order your steps according to the Word of God, as David prayed, Psal. 119 133. and then you will not stumble; nor give Conscience any occasion of reproaching you. You are careful when you walk in the [Page 45] Street, to keep out of the Chanal, to keep out of the way that may pollute & defile you: Oh Sirs, Why do we not order our steps according to the Word of God? Why do we not keep the path? why go we out of the path? Poor David did so sometimes; therefore he prays, Psal. 119 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy Servant for I do not forget thy Commandment. Would you not be willing that Mercy and Peace might be upon you? Gal. 6.16. As many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Beware, my friends of setting up false rules to your selves and I beseech you, let not these directions which I have given you be out of mind when I am out of sight. I pray beware of setting up false rules; I shall name four, which we are very prone to walk by.
1. Beware of setting up the practice of others whether great or good for your rule; the practices of good men are not always agreeable to the rule as they should be; Ministers and others may step aside, and too often do; therefore beware of setting up the p [...]actice of [Page 46] others, wheth [...] great or good, to be your rule. Remember you are to follow others as they follow Christ. You will say, this was the practice of such a Minister, this is the practice of such a Professor; but do they walk as Christ walked? if they follow Christ, thou mayst follow them; but if they do not follow Christ, we must not follow them, be they who they will.
2. Beware of setting up the opinions of others, be they never so learned, for your rule, though they be the greatest Doctors in the World, and called Rabbi never so much. Set not up the Opinion of any for your rule, any further than they have the Word of God for their opinion. When God speaks we must consider who, but when Man speaks we must consider what; I say, when God speaks we must not consider what but who, but when Man speaks, we must not consider who but what. We know God cannot err, but we know that man may err.
3. Beware of setting up the Customs of the times and places you live in for your rule. Oh this is the Custom of the time, and this is the Custom of the [Page 47] place, and what shall I be like no body? Do not make this your rule. Tell me where in all the Bible doth God allow this for a rule, to walk according to the Custom of the times and places wherein we live?
4. Beware of setting up the Multitude for your example, follow not a multitude to do evil. Let not this satisfie you, nor serve your turn, to say, Why, every one doth so; it is general and common, the Multitude doth it; what shall I be singular, like no body in the World? Assure your selves that a Multitude is not a Law and Rule for you to walk by. I appeal to you Sirs, whether this be not good counsel, whether it would not be a great help to, and furtherance of the peace and quiet of your Consciences, to set up the Will of God revealed in his Word for the rule of your all.
Direction III.
Set up Gods Glory as the end of all. If you would not have Conscience to reproach you another day, set up Gods glory as the end of all that you do. Often say to thine own soul. How doth this tend to the glory of God? will God be honoured by this? Will God be [Page 48] glorified by this? When you are upon any undertaking, o [...] when you are about any natural, civil, or religious action, think seriously with your selves, what do I aim at? what is my design in doing this or that? Is it the glory of God? O Sirs, if it be the pleasing of yourselves, Conscience will be displeased: if it be the pleasing of the flesh, Conscience will be displeased to purpose: if it be the pleasing of the World, the pleasing of one another, and not the pleasing of God, Conscience will be displeased another day, for Conscience is never pleased when the glory of God is not designed. 1 Cor. 10.31. that Scripture should be considered by my self and you, Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the Glory of God; do all that God may be honoured. Sirs, You are not your own, for you are bought with a price: glorifie God with your bodies, and with your spirits, which are Gods. I appeal unto your Consciences, whether this would not be the way to keep Conscience quiet, that it should have no cause to reproach you, if you did but set up the glory of God as the end of all. Certainly all we do will be [Page 49] n [...]er the less profitable or pleasureable, contentful or satisfactory to us for making Gods glory the end of all; but a thousand to one, it would make every thing by so much [...]he more profitable, pleasureable and satisfactory to us, by how much more we make the glory of God the end thereof. O Sirs, how sweetly will that meat go down that is eaten with an eye to the glory of God? How comfortable will those dealings and tradings in the World be, that are done with an eye to the glory of God?
Direction IV.
If you would so live, that Conscience may have no occasion to reproach you. Set up an Inquisition Court in your own Souls. You have heard talk of an Inquisition in Spain, and in other Popish Countreys; Oh that you would set up an Inquisition Court in your own Souls, We have Courts of Inquiry among us; O keep a weekly, nay a daily, Court-Inquiry in your own hearts. Commune with your own hearts every day, according to the example of David, Psal. 4 4. Examine your selves often, be not seldom in the work of self-examination, [Page 50] 2 Cor. 13.5. Examine your selves, prove your own selves, whether you be in the faith: know you not that Christ is in you, except ye be Reprobates or unapproved? whether you be reprobate Silver, that is, not current. Examine you [...] selves, prove your own selves, Psal. 119.59 I thought on my ways (saith David) and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Oh think on your ways, say often to thine own Soul, What am I? what do I? how live I? whether go I? what will be my condition through all Eternity? will such questions do you any harm? I appeal to your selves that are able to judge. O that I could get you to reckon often with your selves, and to keep a Petty Sessions in your own Souls, and sit as Judges in a Court of Inquiry upon all your thoughts, words and actions, saying to them, come hither my thoughts, come hither my words, come hither my works, come let me examine you, come let me compare you with the rule; would not this prevent the accusations of Conscience, if you did but reckon with your selves once every day, if it were but one quarter of an hour [...]n the day? See Jer. 8.6.
Direction V.
Set open your ears to the voice of Conscience, when it is enlightned and directed by the Word of God. When Conscience hath information from the Word of God, set open your ears to its voice, hearken to the voice of Conscience; as Abraham once by Gods command hearkened to the voice of Sarah, Gen. 21.12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the Lad, and because of the Bond-woman: In all Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice. Why so say I to you: In all that Conscience, informed by the Word, shall say unto you, hearken unto its voice. Be subject for Conscience sake, is the command, Rom. 13.5. This Subjection for Conscience sake to those that are in Authority God hath commanded; Conscience will clamour, upbraid and reproach, if Gods Commands be not obeyed. Hearken to the voice of Conscience, hearken to the directing voice, & the reproving voice of Conscience, Psal. 16.7. My reins instruct me, &c. that is, my inmost thoughts and secret motions do instruct me. Hearken to its directing voice, when it saith, This is the [Page 52] way; wa [...]k in it, Isai. 30.21. When thou hearest a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk in it; hearken also to its reproving voice, to its correcting voice. Thus David expostulates, Psal. 42. & 43 Why art thou cast down, O my Soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Trust still in God. Why art thou thus diffident? why art thou thus distrustful? Thus David reproves himself, and chides himself, Psal 77.10. And I said, this is my infirmity. But I will remember the years of the right-hand of the most high. And I said, this is my infirmity, this is my frailty; I am to blame. Thus he checks himself, and hearkens to the voice of Conscience.
Direction VI.
Set your selves against all sin; both great and small. Fight against all sin, oppose all sin; allow not your selves in the practice of any known sin, nor in the omission of any known Duty. Paul was very careful herein, Acts 8 23. And Paul earnestly beholding the Council said, Men and Brethren, I have lived in all good Conscience before God unto this day. And how came he to live in all good Conscience? It was before God. If we could [Page 53] well remember the first Direction, we should the better live in all good Conscience. And herein (saith the Apostle) do I exercise my self. to have always a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward Men, Act. 24.16. Pray for us, (saith the Apostle) for we trust we have a good Conscience, in all things willing to live honestly Mark, in all things: So Psal. 119.101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, &c. Verse 128. I esteem all thy Precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way. Pray observe, here are three Universals: if you would not have Conscience reproach you, set your selves against Sin, against the commission of all Sin, and against the omission of all Duties both great and small. If you be not faithful in the least, you will not b [...] trusted in the greatest, Luk. 16 12. Make Conscience of evi [...] th [...]ughts, of idle and unsav [...]ury words and [...]e [...]ming Oaths: and according to the Rule, abstain from all appearance of evil, from all semblance of evil, 1 Thes 5 22 Take heed of D [...]ceit, a [...]d every thing that hath the sh [...]w & semblance of evil. Take heed of wanton D [...]ss [...]s: take heed of ensnaring Attire: I am confident that [Page 54] many poor creatures have been catch'd as it were in a Snare and Trap by the Habit & dresses of the Professors of our Age. Alas, what Inventions have we to draw eyes, both behind and before, to this part of the Body? and to the other part of the Body? The Lord be merciful to us, is this the way to escape the reproaches of Conscience? O Friends, take heed o [...] deceit in your dealings; take heed of Lying for advantage; take heed of the Husk & Kernel of the Grape; though we drink not the Wine, may we not eat the Grape? if not the Grape, may we not eat the Husk of the Grape? And if not the Husk, yet may we not eat the Kernel of the Grape? No, Numb. 6.4. This is the Law of the Nazarite, All the days of his Separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the Vine-Tree, from the Kernels even to the Husk He must not drink Wine, that was the Law of the Nazarite, That he might not be ensnared, not under a temptation to drink Wine, he must not meddle with any thing coming of the Vine, not the very Husk or the Kernel, lest he be ensnared. Our first Mother Eve was drawn to Eating by Seeing: O take heed of Temptations & [Page 55] Snares & be not a Snare or Temptation unto others; but make Conscience of all sin, whether great or small. Nay further, if there be any question or doubt about any thing, whether it be a sin or no, what shall we do then? Some say it is a sin, & some say it is not a sin; & possibly some good men may say it is not a sin, and some good men may say it is a sin; what shall we do in such a doubtful matter? I shall quickly resolve you; Take the surest side. In such a case when the matter is doubtful, the surest way now is not to make or meddle at all with it.
Was there not Meat enough for them to eat in the Primitive Times, besides that which did give offence? Some doubt whether it was lawful to eat of this or that meat; what need we eat of it? Paul saith in such a case, I will never eat flesh while the world standeth, rather than offend a weak brother. It is not lawful, saith one; I will do do it for all that, saith another. They are not of Pauls Spirit. And as for Dresses and Habits, are there not enough besides those which are questionable, and which both Ancient & Modern Divines have all condemned as sinful? Possibly some will assume a greater Liberty, and [Page 56] we are now generally grown to a greater Latitude; but tell me, is there not enough of other sorts, but we must use such habits and dresses as are doubtful, questionable, & offensive▪ God help us to consider of it In all matters doubtful & questionable, still take the surest side. If you do that which is questionable, and doubtful, you may sin, & possibly it may be found to be a sin at the Day of Judgment: & if so, what will you do then? It was the speech of Mr. Bolton concerning long hair: You say the wearing of long Hair is not a sin, but what if it be found at the Day of Judgment to be a sin? You will then wish, O that I had left it off, or never used it Men are not infallible, Ministers are not infallible, no not the best of them; you are not to ground on them as if they could not be mistaken: therefore in all doubtful cases chuse the surest side. There is Meat enough to eat besides that which is doubtful; & there is Apparrel enough to wear besides that which is off [...]nsive & questionable. If you would so live that Conscience may have no cause to reproach you, my Counsel to you is, Take always in doubtful matters [...]he surest side, which is not to meddle or make with it at all: for if you do it, you may sin, and [Page 57] at Judgment it may be found to be sin. But if you do it not, you are safe and sure▪
Direction VII.
Set up Christ as your Pattern. If you would have Conscience not to reproach you another day, take Christ for your example. 1 Pet. 2.21, 23. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, &c. We should pace after him, we ought to walk as Christ walked. If you would have Conscience not to reproach you, make Christ your pattern; think, speak and do, as you are perswaded Christ would, were be in your case, were he in your place on earth: speak, think and do, as you think he would; ask your selves, would Christ neglect his Fathers business as I do? Would he mispend his time, and tri [...]e it away, that whent about continually doing good? Would Christ have served one Lust, & another Lust, as I do, and have made provision for the flesh, to fulfil the Lusts thereof? would he give himself to rioting & drunkenness, to chambering & wantonness as I do? as you would not have Conscience to reproach you, make Christ your Pattern and Exemplar.
Direction VIII.
Sit under a powerful Ministry. If you would prevent the reproaches of Conscience, love & like that Minister best that speaks to Conscience most: do not hate him that rebukes, as they, Amos 3, 10. but say as David, (Psal 14.15.) Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me, it shall be an excellent oyl that shall not break my head. Let him smite me, I will not be offended with him, I will not smite again; when he smites me, it shall be as a precious Oyntment. The meaning is, Let him smite me with Reproofs, let him reprove me, deal faithfully & plainly with me. And (Sirs) I fear that my self & many of my Brethren in the Ministry may have much to answe [...] for another day, for that we do not deal more faithfully, more plainly and downrightly with Souls. Ministers are under a Temptation to please their Hearers as well as others & are loth to offend them; but God forbid that Christs Ministers should be servants of men, or men pleasers, or Women pleasers. Let them look to it, that they please their Lord and Master Chr [...]st.
Direction IX.
Set upon nothing on which you cannot, on which you dare not pray for a blessing. NeNever [Page 59] undertake any thing, never be imployed about any thing, upon which thou dost not dare to pray for a blessing [...] Tim. 4 4, 5. Every thing is sanctified by the Word and Prayer. I must have a Word to be my Rule for it, and I must make a prayer for a Blessing on it, else I cannot expect that it should be sanctified & blessed to me. Now (Sirs) how many things are there that we do, that we dare not pray to God for a Blessing on? It may be you spend two or three hours at the Looking-Glass, can you pray for a Blessing upon the time so spent? can you pray for a Blessing upon your dressing and attiring your selves, & habiting your selves in the way and manner that you do? can you pray, O Lord, let this way of habiting & dressing my self be for thy glory, & for my good, & for the example of others? Dare any of you go & make a prayer to God for this? Adventure not upon any thing upon which you dare not pray for a Blessing.
Direction X.
If you would nat have Conscience to reproach you, Set about all in the name & strength of Christ. For that is the Rule which the Apostle giveth, Col. 3.17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in [Page 60] the name of the Lord Jesus Christ▪ Do all according to the will & the command of Christ, do all by the strength and help of Christ, & do all to the glory of Christ.
1 Do all according to the will and command of Christ. In Mat. 18 20. the name of Christ signifies his command.
2. Do all by the strength and help of Christ. In this sense also is the name of Christ used, Luk. 10.17. and Psal. 44.5. Luk. 17.
3. Do all to the glory of Christ, which is sometimes to be understood by his name, as Psal. 31.3. Oh that People would ask themselves, is this according to the will & command of Christ that I am now a doing? can I expect the strength and help of Christ, in that I am now a doing? is this for the glory of Christ which I am now a doing? when thou art about any Duty, say to Christ all our sufficiency is of thee, we have none of our own, 2 Cor. 3.5. Joh. 15 5. Say as Paul, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, Phil 4.13. And thus I have given you ten Directions how you may so live that Conscience may not reproach you.
Case II.
I come now to speak a little to the second [Page 61] case. What if we have neglected these rules & directions which have been laid before us. If you have neglected to walk according to rule, and have given Conscience just cause to rep [...]oach you, & if Conscience does reproach you, and if you ask me, How may we get the reproaches of Conscience wiped off, & get Conscience quiet again? I answer in two words, Repent and Believe.
1. Repent of tha [...] before the Lord which Conscience reproacheth you for, mourn for it, be ashamed of it, judge and condemn your selves for what is past, resolve against it for the time to come; this is a good course. If we confess our sins, he is faithful & just to forgive us our sins, & cleans [...] us from all unrighte [...]usness, 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge our selves, we should not be judged; & if we acknowledge our transgressions, & accept of the punishment of our iniquity. Read Lev 26 40.41, 42. There is not a better way to wipe off the reproaches of Conscience, than by the tears of repentance. Follow the example of that Woman that came behind our Lord & Saviour, & washed his feet with her tears, & wiped them with the hairs of her head A service perhaps that you would be loth to put your hair [Page 62] to; but Sirs, if you would have Conscience to be quiet, then seriously set upon the work of repentance.
2 Believe. By Faith set Christs blood on work, to wipe off the aspersions and reproaches of Conscience, to purifie and pacifie Conscience, get Conscience sp [...]nkled with the blood of Christ, Heb 9.14. You read of one, Mat. 15.28. that set the Pity & Power of Christ on work to make her Daughter whole, Jesus answered and said unto her, O Woman, great is thy Faith! Be it to thee even as thou wilt. Christ seemed not to regard her a while, but she followed him, & set his Pity and Power on work. Faith will set the blood of Christ on work, to wipe off the reproaches of Conscience. The Centurions Faith set Christ on work to heal his Servant, Lord, (saith he) My Servant lyeth at home sick of the Palsey, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The Centurion answered & said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my Roof, but speak the word only, & my Servant shall be healed. And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way, & as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee▪ And his servant was healed in the self same hour, Mat. 8.13. The Lepers Faith did [Page 63] set Christ on work, Mat. 8.2, 3 And there came a Leper & worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will be thou clean: & immediately his Leprosie was cleansed. The Father of the Child that had a deaf & a dumb Spirit, his Faith set Christ on work, Mark 6.23, 24, 25. Jesus saith unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the Father of the Child cryed out with tears, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. The Faith of the Woman diseased wi [...]h an Issue of blood set Christ on work, Mat 9 21. For she said within her self, if I may but touch the Hem of his Garment, I shall be whole. And it follows, the Woman was made whole from that hour. The Faith of the poor Leper set Christ on work, Luk 17.19. And Jesus saith unto him, Thy faith hath made thee whole.
And likewise the Womans faith, (Luk 7▪ 48.) set Christ on work for the pardon of her sins; he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven thee. And v. 50. Christ tells her, Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace.
And likewise the Faith of blind Bartimeus, Mark 10.51, 52. sets Christs Power and Pity on work, and obtained Healing. [Page 64] And the Faith of the two blind men in Mat. 9 27, 28▪ 29, 30▪ Christ touched their eyes & said, According to your Faith, so be it unto you ▪ And their eyes were opened▪ O if you could, but (according to these Examples) set Faith on work for the healing of your Souls, Conscience would be quiet. Thus bespeak & expostulate with thine own Conscience, & say, it is true (Conscience) I have sinned, and deserved to be reproached & condemned, but I fly to the Blood of Christ, for cleansing, & I apply that by Fai [...]h. Nay (saith Conscience) if thou fly to that City of Refuge, I can then no longer pursue after thee; thou art safe enough from me. If thou makest the Blood of Christ thy Refuge, thou art then secured from all the Storms & Terrors, & Reproaches of Conscience. If you would not have Conscience upbraid you, accuse and condemn you, set about the work of Repentance & Faith, & then whatsoever cause you have given Conscience to reproach you, it will reproach you no more, it will be qu [...]et & at peace with you; always provided that you set about this work of Fa [...]h and Repentanc [...] seriously and in good earnest, Consider what hath been said, and the Lord give you understanding in all things