of conscience be just, we should try them by this touchstone. We should learn from the sacred volume what are the leading features of conversion; what is essential to the Christian character; and what, though wrong in itself, will consist with real integrity. When we have thus attained an adequate knowledge of the rule of duty, and our conscience judges by that rule in estimating our conduct, then may we safely acquiesce in its determinations, and conclude it to be right, whether it acquit or condemn.

There is, however, and ever must be, more credit due to its sentence when it condemns, than when it acquits; because, in condemning, it may have respect to any single act, and found its sentence on that, without the smallest danger of mistake: but, in acquitting, it must comprehend the whole circle of a Christian's duty, and testify that, on the whole, there is no allowed deviation from it. Here therefore is great scope for error; insomuch that St. Paul himself, though he knew of no allowed evil in himself, would not be too confident respecting his state; but committed himself to the judgment of a merciful and gracious God".]

To procure a just attention to its voice, we proceed to shew,

II. The benefit and comfort of having its testimony in our favour

Nothing is more terrible than an accusing conscience. Its testimonies are,

1. A source of present distress

[When God gives it a commission to scourge a man, it executes the office with great effect. How did it increase the troubles of Joseph's brethren1; and torture the soul of the unguarded Dariusk; and appal the impious Belshazzar, so that his knees smote one against the other! How did it make Felix tremble on the seat of judgment m! and Judas actually to become his own executioner"! When it operates with a just and salutary influence, it will force the most obdurate to cry out with anguish, and the most confident to weep with great bitterness P.

Many amongst ourselves perhaps have felt its stings, till we have groaned in our spirit, and even "howled upon our bed," anticipating, and almost tasting, the bitterness of hell itself".]

2. A pledge of eternal misery

[When conscience is enlightened, it sees innumerable abominations in the heart: and when sanctified, it feels an utter abhorrence of what it does see. But yet "God is greater than our hearts" both in respect of penetration to discover sin, and of holiness to hate it. He "knoweth all things" that have been done amiss, and that too, with all the particular aggravations that have attended every omission of duty, and every commission of iniquity. Not our actions only, but our very thoughts, are "sealed up in his bag," to be brought forward against us at the last day. The present testimonies of conscience are a previous and preliminary sentence, declaring now upon few and partial grounds, what God himself will hereafter declare on a complete review of our whole lives.

We say not indeed that there is no room for repentance: God forbid: the accusations of conscience are the voice of God within us, calling us to repentance: and the most guilty conscience that ever tormented the soul of man, may in an instant be purged by the blood of Jesus: but if conscience. summon us to its bar, as God summoned Adam and Cain to answer for their conduct', its decisions shall be ratified in the day of judgment, unless they be reversed through penitence and faith in Christ: what it "binds on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and what it looses on earth, shall be loosed in heaven."]

Nothing, on the other hand, is a richer blessing than a good conscience: its testimonies are,

1. A source of unspeakable comfort

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assure our

[St. Paul tells us that he found this to be a well-spring of happiness within him; "Our rejoicing is this, 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"." Indeed, such a testimony is a continual feast to every one that enjoys it. Having an inward witness of our own sincerity, we may hearts before God," we may "have boldness of access to him with confidence," we may "ask of him what we will, and it shall be done unto us." Such a testimony inspires a 66 confidence towards God" in every thing that relates to our present or future welfare; it fills the soul with a " peace that passeth all understanding," "a joy that is unspeakable and glorified." How desirable then is it to be able now to appeal to God, like

Job xiv. 17.

s Heb. x. 22. and 1 John i. 7.

Gen. iii. 9. and iv. 9, 10. x ver. 19. y Eph. iii. 12.

u 2 Cor. i. 12.

z ver. 22

Job, "Thou knowest that I am not wicked";" or with Peter, "Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love theeb!" And how blessed to say with Hezekiah in a dying hour, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight!"]

2. An earnest of eternal happiness

[The witness of our conscience is, in fact, the witness of the Spirit of Godd: for it is the result of a divine illumination, whereby we discern the agreement of our experience with the word of God, and of a divine communication, rendering that agreement an occasion of joyful confidence. What then can this be but a foretaste of that bless which shall be consummated in heaven? In this view these divine communications may be considered as "the first-fruits of the Spirit," and "the earnest of the Spirit;" because they are, as it were, the beginnings of heaven in the soul, and they assure to us a complete and everlasting possession of it. Even in the day of judgment itself this holy confidence will remain: they who possess it now, will go forth with joy to meet the bridegroom; "they will stand before him with great boldness'," and, assured of their relation to him, will exclaim, "This God is our God for ever and ever."]

INFER

1. How careful should we be in every part of our conduct!

[Every thing we do is written in the book of God's remembrance; and our own consciences will hereafter, if not now, attest the truth of God's testimony. How anxious then should we be, that every day and every hour should record something good, rather than what will distress us in the day of judgment! Let us then beg of God to "put truth in our inward parts:" let us exercise ourselves day and night to keep a conscience void of offence both towards God and man":" and let us say with Job, "My heart shall not reproach me as long as I live."]

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2. How attentive should we be to the voice of conscience!

[Conscience, if we would listen to it, would tell us many plain and wholesome truths. If we would submit to its

b John xxi. 17.

c Isai. xxxviii. 3.

a Job x. 7. d Some think these are two distinct witnesses: but perhaps this is the more just view of the matter. See Disc. on Rom. viii. 16.

e 1 John iv. 17.

f Wisd. v. 1.

8 Acts xxiv. 16.

reproofs, it would keep us from much evil, and lead us safely to heaven. Let none of us then stifle it, or bribe it, or despise it: but let us rather get it well informed, and cherish with care its salutary admonitions. Let us carefully conform ourselves to its dictates," and "judge ourselves, that we may not be judged of the Lord'."]

3. How thankfully should we bathe in the fountain of Christ's blood!

[There is not a day or an hour wherein conscience does not contract some defilement: nor is there a probability of pacifying it, but by continual applications to "the blood of sprinkling." Let us then rejoice that there is "a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness ;" and let it be our care day and night to cleanse ourselves in it from every fresh contracted stain. If we neglect this, "our mind and conscience will be defiled m;" but if we "abide in him, we shall have confidence in expectation of his appearance; nor shall we be ashamed before him at his coming "."]

k Acts xxiii. 1.

m Tit. i. 15.

11 Cor. xi. 31.

n 1 John ii. 28.

MMCCCCLI.

FAITH IN CHRIST ENJOINED.

1 John iii. 23. This is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ.

SOME Christians, from a mistaken zeal for the Gospel, are ready to associate the idea of legality with the very mention of the term "commandment;" forgetting that the commandments, if obeyed from love, are of the very essence of the Gospel; obedience to them being its necessary fruit, its appropriate end, its highest glory. St. John had as ardent a love to the Gospel, and as vigilant a jealousy for its honour, as Paul himself: yet does he lay the greatest stress on an obedience to the commandments, saying, in the very words before my text, "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of God, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." But the very Gospel itself is here presented to us under that character, as much as "love" itself, which is the sum and substance of the law:

"This is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." In fact, the Gospel should be particularly endeared to us under this character. And, that it may be so, I will set before you,

I. The duty here commended to us

If faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a grace bestowed, so is it also a duty enjoined. We are commanded of God,

1. To receive Christ as he is revealed in the Gospel

[He is spoken of as the person foretold from the beginning of the world, "the Seed of the woman," "the Seed of Abraham, ," "the Shiloh," "the Son of David," the Virgin's child, the Messiah that was to come. And it is our bounden duty, after comparing the history of the New Testament with the records of the Old, to receive him under this character.

But he is said also to sustain certain offices corresponding with the typical representations of him under the Mosaic economy. He was to be " a Prophet like unto Moses;" he was to fulfil and execute also all the services of the priesthood; and he was to "sit on the throne of David," as King over his Church and people. In all these views, then, we must inspect his pretensions: and from all that we read concerning him, we must be convinced, that in him were all these offices united; that he is indeed the Prophet, who has revealed to us the mind of God; the Priest also, that has offered himself a sacrifice for the sins of men; and the King, that will bring the whole world under his sceptre, and reign unto the very ends of the earth.

In a word, he is declared to be a Saviour, the only Saviour of our fallen race. And, from all that he wrought for the bodies. of men in healing all manner of diseases, and from the effects which he produced also upon their souls, both during his sojourning on earth, and after his ascension to heaven, we must thankfully acknowledge him under that endearing character; and confess him, as the Samaritan converts did, "This is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."]

2. To depend upon him for all the blessings which he is commissioned to bestow

a

Eph. ii. 8. Phil. i. 29.

b John iv. 42.