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 fast asleep But how many Instances of such sleepy Consciences doth 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 30 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 howsoever Conscience may be asleep for a great while yet the time will come that Conscience will do it's office and therefore it doth greatly concern us to take great care 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 accompanyed 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 hold 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 awhile Gen 4. 13. But after a while Cain's Conscience did reproach him would not let him alone Belshazzar 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 the other and he grew pale when he saw the hand writing on the wall Conscience will fee an hand writing not on the wall but in this book I have spoken with some poor 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 so to live that Conscience may not reproach us while we live for the reproches 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 Intolerable 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 dreams and terriâ—iest me with visions so that my soul chuseth strangling and death rather then life Oh Sirs what a case will the terrours and accusations of Conscience bring the poor creature into Job 10. 1. My soul is weary of my life I will leave my complaint upon my self c. Psalm 32. 3 4. When I kept silence 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 Bloud 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 Lions Den then to carry a Lion 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 Franâ—e after that bloudy Massacre by which his Conscienc was enraged could 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 Vse 1. Of Reproof The first Use shall be for Reproof of those that take no such care to avoid the 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 sooner is some Fuel spent but there is more Fuel heapt 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 but yesterday You that cannot endure to be reproached that cannot endure to hear others reproached that cannot bear the Reproaches of Men whenas it may be they reproach wrongfully how will you bear not the false but true Accusations of Conscience Men may reproach falsly but Conscience will reproach truly Men may reproach thee and yet thine own Conscience may clear thee when they accuse thee but if 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 Conscience reproach us who then can clear us This should humble us that we have given Conscience occasion to reproach us 2 Sam. 24. 1. If you have not taken this care to avoid the Reproaches of Conscience it will reproach you as it did David whose Heart smote him after he had numbered the People and David said unto the Lord I have sinned greatly in that I have done I beseech thee O Lord to take away the iniquity of thy servant for I have done very foolishly Davids Heart smote him now his Conscience now his Conscience smites and cuts him to the very Heart Though his Conscience were quiet a great while Psal. 73. 21 22. yet afterwards 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
Conscience co-witnessing my Conscience witnessing together with God God knows it and doth witness it and my Conscience knows it and doth witness it and my Conscience together with me knows it There is a double Act of the Understanding there is a Direct Act whereby we know a thing and there is a Reflect Act whereby we know that we know it And this is the Action of Conscience Isa. 59. 12. For our transgressions are multiplied before thee and our sins they testifie against us for our transgressions are with us and as for our iniquities we know them we know that we have sinned So that Conscience is a recoiling or a reflexion 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 memory to observe how that doth act about the will how that doth act and 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 Duty Conscience is imployed to observe how you eat and drink it is imployed to observe how you dress and habit your selves how you buy and sell and deal and trade in the World it is imployed to observe how you read the Scripture pray in your Family in your Clozet and in the Congregation how you sanctifie the Sabbath receive Sacraments how you spend your time how long you lye a Bed in a morning how late you set up at night and about what to observe how you carry your selves alone and how you carry your selves in Comyany to observe what you do in the Streets or in the Field in this place or in the other place in this Company or in the other Company it goeth along with you and it will never leave you God help me to mind this I hope you will make the same prayer for your selves that I make for my self III. General How Conscience is imployed From the Description of Conscience which I have given you you may understand that Conscience hath several Offices the Office of a Notary or Register the Office of a Witness or Accuser the Office of a Judge or a Condemner the Office of a Comforter or a Tormenter Conscience is imployed in such Offices as these are and Conscience will first or last be faithful in the execution of them and it will do it's Office to purpose 1. It is imployed as a Notary or Register to write down all we do to write 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 set in Judgment it is not Sessions or Assizes time with you it may be it is adjourned and put of 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 and Absolver if we do well 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoycing the testimony of our Conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity c. we have had our conversation in the world What greater rejoycing then this When Conscience shall acquit me in the prescence of God when Conscience shall be able to say as Hezekiah Remember 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 Oh what a comfort will it be when Conscience shall reflect upon it's believing in Christ upon it's 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 Clozet with tears in mine eyes and sorrow in my heart that I have rolled my self on Christ and cast all my caâ—e upon him 5. Then as a Tormenter Conscience is imployed When Conscience shall recoil and thus reflect upon a man When thou shouldsâ— have been in thy Clozet thou wast here or there in the Street or in the Field in the Coffee House or Taverns when thou shouldst have been with God alone thou hast been elswhere Thou couldst lye down and rise up without having God beâ—fore thine Eyes thou couldst eat and drink without fear and without rule and buy and sell and habiâ— thy self without fear There is aâ— much danger in habiting and dressing our selves as in eating and drinking O what if this dress should be a snare what if this should occasion the committing of Adultery He that looks upon a Woman to lust after her saith Christ hath committed Adultery with her already in his heart Saith one There is a fine clear skin and so saith a second and a third but do you know what temptation may lye in a naked skin the Lord help us to take heed of it I would commend you a little Book it is but 3 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 bout with men 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 Wise. But have a care I beseech you to please Conscience that it may not be against you another day See that Conscience 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. JOB 27. 6. My Righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my Heart shall not reproaoh me so long as I live THis was Jobs Resolution why should it not be ours Those that have felt the Reproaches of Conscience once would be loth to feel them a second time The very bruit Beasts when once they
Conscience THE BEST FRIEND UPON EARTH OR The Happy Effects Of Keeping A Good Conscience Very Useful for this Age. By HENRY STVBBES Minister of the Gospel Acts 23. 1. I have lived in all Good Conscience before God untill this day London Printed and are to be sold by John Hancock at the Sign of the Three Bibles in Popes Head Alley in Cornhill 1677. 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 a Good Conscience thou wilt Naturally good I know thou art I would hope that thou art Spiritually good purged from dead works by the Bloud of Christ Heb. 9. 14. and made good by the power of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3. 21. and art able to give a reason by thy hope to be saved 1 Pet. 3. 15 16. and that thou standest upon thy watch and 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 't is with them is thy essential property Even those John 8. 6 9. that tempted Christ that 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 within him Thou didst tell Pharaoh that he was wicked Exod. 9. 27. and Josephs Brethren that they were guilty Gen. 42. 21. and Judas that he had sinned in betraying innocent bloud Matth. 27 3 4. I pray thee do as much for my Reader if thou see cause for it It may be thou art a well 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 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 and 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 onely the form of godliness or the power also Whether he be a Christian outwardly onely or inwardly also Whether a hearer onely or a doer also Whether he have onely a name to live or be alive indeed Whether he be barren and unfruitful or fuitful in every good work Whether his Knowledge be effective 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 salfe way Psal. 119. 128. Conscience thou canst 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 sinceâ—e milk of the word that he may grow thereby ver 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 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 Vnion 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 me 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 meekness of wisdom Janies 3. 13. What work and labour of love he hath shewed towards the Name of Christ whether he have ministred to the Saints and do minister Heb. 6. 10. Whether he fulfill all the Wills 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 Luke 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 Tit. 2. 14. Whether the zeal of Gods House do even 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 Matth. 16. 24. Whether he rejoyce in hope and be patient in tribulation and continue instant in prayer Rom. 12. 12. Now Conscience I have an earnest request to thee and seeing thou always lodgest in the bosom of my Reader thou canst not want an opportunity to do what I shall request of thee My Request is this That thou wouldest deal honestly with 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 perceive 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 flesh and sure thou canst tell whether he does so or no. Good Conscience tell him that he does so and that if he shall continue so to do he shall die 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. 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 Matth. 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 Luke 13. 7 8 0. shew him also Matth. 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 confessed 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 Compell him to read 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. If he be unholy tell him that he shall 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 and bid him read John 3. 3â—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. 25. 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. 11 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. 5. 19 20 21. tell him that he shall not inherit the Kingdom of God And if 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 and 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. 11. 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 Isa. 2. 11. to 18. and Isa. 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 is sorely threatned Isa. 5. 8. Isa. 10. 1 2. Job 20. 15 19 20. and 27. 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 6. 10. And get him to read 1 Tim. 6. 9 10. 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 â—3 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 and 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 these Scriâ—â—â—â—â— Conscience do thy office thou art Gods Deputy fail not to be faithful Possibly thou mayest 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 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 told of their faults or what their estate 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 Sâ—riptures nor pray in their Families nor Cathechize 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 in Taverns Ale-houses Play-houses Coffee-houses Some embrace this present World with Demas Some are lovers of Pleasures more then 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 â—â—ld Some say Lord Lord but will not do the things that he says unto them Some believe not with their Hearts what with their Mouth 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 in truth Some fashion themselves according to this world yet would not be thought to be of the world Some Dedicate and Devote their Children to God to the service of that one God who is Father Son and Holy Ghost and when they have so done they alienate them from his service to the service of the World Flesh and Devil breeding them np in Idleness Pride and Wantonness Never or never to any purpose minding them of their Baptisâ—al Covenant and Engagements to be â—holy and only the Lords Some neglect relative Duty as thou Conscience knowest very well Are not some Husbands bitter to â—heir 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 Dost thou not know all this to be true Conscience 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 hannt them continually tell them their own and take a fit time and season for it My Reader does frequently or someâ—imes 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 sayes 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 not 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 Luke 13. 3. Thou canst not see the Lord to thy comfort in that unholy Estate thou art now in Heb. 12. 14. My Reader prayes constantly or sometimes at least and sayes 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 Statutes Now Conscience tell hâ—â— the truth say to him Thou drawest â—igh to God with thy lips but thy Heart is far from 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 O how busy thou art for back and 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 fitterâ—place for thee to be in Sometimes he is walking in the fields Conscience go to him and ask him what â—e is meditating on and put him in mind of Isaac's practice Gen. 24. 6. My Reader is sometimes sick go â—t him Conscience and say This is thâ— just hand of God upon thee and biâ— him take his Bible and read Jer. 4. 18 Sometimes my Reader takes Physick go to him Conscience and say to him When wilt thou be at so much cost for thy soul when wilt thou spare 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 has lately been recovered out of a dangerous fit of sickness go to him Conscience and put him in mind of â—is sickâ—bed prayers and purposes and say to him Sin no more lest 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 meanes of Grace a long time Vnconverted would I could perswade thee 〈◊〉 force them to read Heb. 6. 7 8. Jer. â— 29. Ezek. 24. 13 14. Mat. 23. 37 38. Luke 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 Isa. 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 after the reading of it Conscience I am out of hopes of my Readers welfare unless thou be the more vigilant aâ—â—gent and faithful in doing thy office Wherefore I beseech you nay I charge you as once Paul charged Timothy 2 Tim. 4. 1. before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom preach the Word 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 then fail of prevailing with him There are a few other Scriptures which I desire my Reader might peruse viz. 1 Sam. 2. 25. 2 Chro. 25. 16. Pro. 29. 1. But Conscience if thou wilt not by earnest and continual urging compel him he will not bestow the time nor take the paines 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. JOB 26. 7. 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 persuaded 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 goâ— 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 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 our
have been either in the mire or in the fire will take heed how they come there again You can hardly force them into a Bog wherein they have been mired they will turn this way and that way and run back again upon you rather then run into the mire wherein they have been already A wounded Conscience who can bear They that have felt that wound and have gotten it heal'd will take heed how they make another The Proposition I gave you was this It should be 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 unblamable 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 occasision 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 I come now to the Proof of the Doctrine This was Jobs care you see he was resolved upon it that he would so walk and so watch that Conscience might have no occasion to reproach him And hath Job no Fellows yes many the Scripture speaketh of such as 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 Ps. 16. 8. Ps. 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 man and behold the upright where you find one word to explaine 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 wil 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 do it's office in accusing and in judging condemning and tormenting David's Conscience was asleep for a great while but afterwards Nathan cometh to him from the Lord and rouzeth Conscience and then Conscience set most violently upon him as appears by the Ps. 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 out 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 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 itself like a Lyon to tear and devour then they cry out Verily we are guilty concerning the blood of our Brother You see Conscience had an awakening time though it had been asleep the Morning came for its awakening So Judas his Conscience was asleep for a great while and one would wonder that it should ever be so fast asleep as was Mat. 26. 15. you may read there some passages of it He goeth to the Chief Priests and maketh a Bargain What will you give me and I will deliver Jesus 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 the 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 to the Passover yet Conscience saith nothing to him all the while when he was at the Passover 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 is it I yet Judas's Conscience 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 good for that man he had never been born It is matter of admiration and amazement that his Conscience should be so fast asleep the Devil entred into him and rocked Conscience asleep till he might be sure to do him mischeif enough ver 25. Then Judas which betrayed him put the question and said Master is it I Methinks his Conscience should have flown in his face like a Mastiff Nay further saith Christ Thou hast said
but who but when Man speaks we must not consider who but what We know God cannot erre but we know that Man may erre 3. Beware of setting up the Customes of the times and places you live in for your rule Oh this is the Custome of the time and this is the Custome of the 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 Custome 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 fatisfie 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 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 Glorified by this When you are upon any undertaking or 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 your selves 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 never the less profitable or pleasurable 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 the more profitable pleasurable 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 trading 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 Countries Oh that you would set up an Inquisition Court in your own souls We have Courts of Inquiry among us Oh keep a weekly nay a daily Court of 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 seldome in the work of self-examiniation 2. Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selves prove your own selves whether you be in the Faith know ye not that Christ is in you Except ye be Reprobates or unapproved whether you be reprobate Silver that is not current Examine your selves prove your own selves Ps. 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 in the day See Jer. 8. 6. Direction V. Set open your ears to the voice of Conscience when it is enlightened 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 and the Reproving voice of Conscience Ps. 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 way walk in it Isa. 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. 4. 2. 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 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 Acts 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 all 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 be trusted in the greatest Luke 16. 12. Make Conscience of evil Thoughts of idle and unsavoury Words and seeming Oaths and according to the Rule abstain from all appearance of evil from all semblance of evil 1 Thes. 5. 22. Take heed of Deceit and of every thing that hath the shew and semblance of evil Take heed of Wanton Dresses take heed of ensnaring Attire I am confident that many poor Creatures have been catch'd as it were in a Snare and Trap by the Habit and Dresses of the Professors oâ— 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 of Deceit in your dealings take heed of Lying for advantage take heed of the Husk and 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 the Husk yet may we not eat the Kernel of the Grape No. Num. 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 noâ— 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 and Snares and 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 and some say it is not a sin and 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 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 and Modern Divines have all condemned as sinful Possibly some will assume a greater Liberty and 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 and offensive God help us to consider of it In all matters doubtful and questionable still take the surest side If you do that which is questionable and doubtful you may sin and possibly it may be found to be a sin at the Day of Judgment and 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 and there is Apparel enough to wear besides that which is offensive and 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 the surest side which is not to meddle or make with it at all for if you do it you may sin and at Judgment it may be found to be sin But if you do it not you are safe and free Direction VII Set up Christ as your patern 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 patern think speak and do as you are persuaded Christ would were he 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 mis-spend his time and tritle it away that went about continually doing good Would Christ have served one Lust and another Lust as I do and have made provision for the flesh to fulfil the Lusts â—hereof Would he give himself to riâ—â—ing and drunkenness to chambering â—nd wantonness as I do As you would â—ot have Conscience to reproach you make Christ your Patern and Exâ—mplar Direction VIII Sit under a Powerful Ministry If â—ou would prevent the reproaches of Conscience love and like that Miniâ—er best that speaks to Conscience â—ost do not hate him that rebukes â—s they Amos 5. 10. but say as Daâ—id Psal. 141. 5. Let the righteous nite me it shall be a kindness and â—t him reprove me it shall be an excelâ—nt oyl that shall not break my head Let
him smite me I will not be ofâ—ended with him I will not smite aâ—ain when he fmites me it shall be â—s a precious Oyntment The meanâ—ng is Let him smite me with Reâ—roofs let him reprove me deal â—ithfully and plainly with me And Sirs I fear that my self and many of my Brethren in the Ministry may have much to answer 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 and 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 Christ. Direction IX Set upon nothing on which you cannot on which you dare not pray for a blessing Never undertake any thing never be imployed about any thing upon which thou dost not dare to pray for a blessing 1 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 can not except that it should be sanctified and 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 and habiting your selves in the way and manner that you do can you pray O Lord let this way of habiting and dressing my self be for thy Glory and for my Good and for the example of others Dare any of you go and make a prayer to God foe this Adventure not upon any thing upon which you dare not pray for a Blessing Direction X. If you would not have Conscience to reproach you Set about all in the name and strength of Christ. For that is the rule which the Apostle giveth Col. 3. 17. And whatsoever ye do iâ— word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do all according to the will and the command of Christ do all by the strength and help of Christ and 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 Luke 10. 17. and Psa. 44. 5. Luke 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 and 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 â— doing When thou art about 〈◊〉 Duty say to Christ all our sufficienâ—â—cy 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 case What if we have neglected these rules and directions which have been laid before us If you have neglected to walk according to rule and have given Conscience just cause to reproach you and if Conscience does reproach you and if you ask me How may we get the reproaches of Conscience wiped off and get Conscience quiet again I answer in two words Repent and Believe 1. Repent of that before the Lord which Conscience reproacheth you for mourn for it be ashamed of it judge and condemne 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 and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 Cor. 11. 31. For if we would judge our selves we should not be judged and if we acknowledg our transgressions and accept of the punishment of our iniquity Read Lev. 26. 40 41 42. There is not a better way to wipe off â—he reproaches of Conscience then by the tears of repentance Follow the example of that Woman that came behind our Lord and Saviour and washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with the haires of her head A service perhaps that you would be loath to put your hair 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 sprinkled with the Blood of Christ Heb. 9. 14. You read of one Mat. 15. 28. that set the Pity and 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 and set his Pity and Power on work Faith will set the Blood of Christ on work to wipe of 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 Palsie grievously tormented And Jesus saith unto him I will come and heal him The Centurion answered and said Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my Roof but speak the word onely and my Servant shall be healed And Jesus said unto the Centurion Go thy way and 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 set Christ on work Mat. 8. 2 3. And there came a Leper and 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 and immediately his Leprosie was cleansed The Father of the Child that had a deaf and a dumb Spirit his Faith set Christ on work Mark 9. 23 24 25. Jesus saith unto him If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth And straight way the Father of the Child cryed out with teares Lord I believe help thou my unbelief The Faith of the Woman diseased with 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 followes the Woman was made whole from that hour The Faith of the poor Leper set Christ or work Luke 17. 19. And Jesus said unto him Thy faith hath made thee whole And likewise the Womans Faith Luke 7. 48. set Christ on