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
Proverâ—ial speech Conscience is a thousand Witnesses nay it 's more then 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 rejoycing saith the Apostle the testimony of our Conscience that in all simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world 2. And sometimes against us and then 't is a Hell above ground a Hell on this side Hell 3. It further follows that Conscâ—ence is a Power of the Soul takinâ— 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 finds the Thoughts Words or Actions either agreeing or not agreeing with the Rule it will excuse or accuse Conscience cannot be a Witness of our Thoughts Words and Actions whether they be according to the Rule 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 with the Rule it excuseth if not to agree with the Rule it accuseth Rom. 2. 15. Their thoughts in the mean while accusing or excusing one another 4. And then it follows absolving or condemning For the truth is Conscience 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 our rejoycing 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 with the Rule it excuseth or accuseth absolveth or condemneth comforteth or tormenteth This is called Conscience 〈◊〉 It is called Conscience some think â—â—cause it is a Knowledge with othâ—â— Pray observe God knows Angels know Devils know Men know and all these witness and Conscience knows and witnesseth with them 1. God knows if you read Job 16. 19. My witness is in 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 Whoever 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 be fore 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 2. Angels know it too the Angels are Ministring Spirits about some they are imployed here on Earth though we take no notice 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 Sinneâ— be converted if the lost Sheep be found there is joy among the Angels therefore they know it 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 to sow the good Seed then comes the Enemy the Devil and steals it away Matth. 13. 19. He also goes about as a roaring Lion 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 done though done by his instigation and temptation see Zech. 3. 1. Poor Creatures are tempted to destroy â—hemselves well God delivers them â—nd now they are ashamed O what â— 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 counsell 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 Devil 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 fraâ— them 4. Men know they are 〈◊〉 Observers Some have their ey◠〈◊〉 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 and 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. 9. 1. My Conscience bearing me witness My
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