5. By Discourse of Reason, syllogistically, S. Matt. xxvii. 3. 1 Sam. xxiv. 5. Confcience in the major, is Lex. in the minor, Teftis, II. What are the several Offices of the Conscience ? 1. To apply general Truths to ourselves, 2 Sam. xii. 7. Jer. viii. 6. 2. To bear Witness of, Rom. ii. 15. 1. GOD's Laws. 2. Our Actions. 3. To comfortus in our Obedience, Ifa.xxxviii.3. 4. To accuse us of Sin, Rom. ii. 15. Rev. xx. 12. 5. To judge, Pfal. iv. 4. 1. Our Actions, Rom.xiv. 22, 23. Lam. iii. 40. 2. Our Persons, 1 Cor. xi. 31. III. What is it to have a Conscience void of Offence ? ἀπρίσκοπον συνείδησιν. When our Confcience cannot accuse us of doing any thing Offensive to GOD or Man. 1. Confcience is GOD's Vice-Gerent in the Soul. 2. Rightly enlighten'd, it dictates nothing but GOD's Commands. 3. All GOD's Commands concern Himself, or else our Neighbour, S. Matth. xxii. 37, 38. 4. When we do what it commands, our Conscience excuseth and comforteth us, 2 Cor. i. 12. 5. It accuseth for nothing but Sin. 6. Therefore when we do nothing Offensive to GOD or Man, then our Confcience is void of Offence, Aft. xxiii. 1. IV. How IV. How must we carry ourselves towards GOD and Man, so as to have a Confcience void of Offence to both. 1 1. TO GOD. 1. Love Him, Deut. vi. 5. 2. Defire Him above all Creatures, Phil iii. 8. 3. Seek Him before all Treasures, S. Matth. vi. 33. 4. Believe Him in all His Assertions. 5. Fear Him above all Powers, Jer. v. 22. 6. Trust on Him in all Conditions, Pfal. Ixii. 8.. That He will either, 1. Prevent the Afflictions you fear, Pfal. xci. 5. 2. Support you under them, 2 Cor. xii. 9. 9. Pray to Him all your Days, I Theff. v. 17. ν. 18. 11. Perform all His Commands, Ecclef.xii.13. 1 Cor. x. 31. Rom. xiv. 6. 1. Because He made all Things for Him self, Prov. xvi. 4. 2. He is the End of all Things, Rev. i. 8. 2. To Man. 1. To all. 1. Love all, S. Matth. V. 44. Hebr. X. 24. 2. Pray for all, 1 Tim. ii. 1. 3. Do Good to all, Gal. vi. 10. 5. Be courteous to all, I S. Pet. ii. 17. and 6. Be just to all, Mic. vi. 8. 1 Theff. iv. 6. 2. To good Men. 1. Love them above others, because they are, 1. More wife, Eph. v. 15. 2. More just, 3. More lovely, Col.ii. 10. Eph.v. 26, 27. 4. More honourable, than others, 1 Sam. ii. 30. Prov. xii. 26. 2. Do good to them especially, 1. By preventing their Dangers. 2. By comforting them under Afflictions. 3. Communicating to their Necessities, 1 S. Joh. iii. 17. 3. To evil Men. 1. Pity their sad Estate, Cant. viii. 8. 2. Reprove them for their Sins, Lev. xix. 17. Mal. xviii. 15. 3. Use all Means to win them to Christ. USE. 1. By shewing them good Examples, 2. By praying for them. Keep your Consciences void of Offence. DIRECTIONS. 1. Get your Confcience regulated by GOD's Word, Pfal. cxix. 105. 2. Get your Conscience directed by His Spirit, _ well-grounded and fettl'd, Rom. xiv. 5. S. Pet. 1. 12. 4. Do nothing against Confcience, Rom. xiv. 5. Do every thing out of Confcience, Rom. 6. Avoid secret as well as open Sins, 1 S. Joh. 7. Choose the greatest Sufferings, rather than 1. There is more real Evil in the least Sin. 2. The least Sin deserves greater Sufferings. 8. Balk no Duty. 1. For Fear, Act. iv. 18, 19. 2. Favour, S. Joh. xii. 43. 3. Or Interest. MOTIVES. 1. A good Conscience will be a Comfort to us 2. An evil Conscience will be a Trouble to us in : The End of the Second Volume. |