A12182:1053
Evangelical sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankful commemorations for Gods mercy in our great…Evangelicall sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankfull commemorations for Gods mercy in our great…
Evangelical sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankful commemorations for Gods mercy in our great deliverance from the papists powder-plot. 2. The successful seeker. 3. Faith triumphant. 4. Special preparations to fit us for our latter end in four funeral sermons. 5. The faithful covenanter. 6. The demand of a good conscience. 7. The sword of the wicked. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibbs. Doctor in Divinity, Mr. of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher to the honourable society of Gray's-Inn. The third tome. Published and perused by D. Sibbs own appointment, subscribed with his hand to prevent imperfect copies after his decease.Evangelicall sacrifices In xix. sermons. I. Thankfull commemorations for Gods mercy in our great deliverance from the papists powder-plot. 2. The successefull seeker. 3. Faith triumphant. 4. Speciall preparations to fit us for our latter end in foure funerall sermons. 5. The faithfull covenanter. 6. The demand of a good conscience. 7. The sword of the wicked. By the late learned and reverend divine, Rich. Sibbs. Doctor in Divinity, Mr. of Katherine Hall in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher to the honourable society of Grayes-Inne. The third tome. Published and perused by D. Sibbs owne appointment, subscribed with his hand to prevent imperfect copies after his decease.
London: printed by Thomas for N. Bourne, 1640
THE DEMAND OF A good Conscience.THE DEMANDE OF A good Conscience.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Hereupon comes (in the third place) a gracious good conscience, which is a conscience 1after we have believed, that resolves to please God in all things, as the Apostle saith Heb. 13. We have a good Conscience studying to please God in 2all things: we have a good conscience toward God, and toward men. When the conscience is appeased, and quieted, then it is fit to serve God, as an instrument that is in tune. An instrument out of tune, yields nothing but harsh Music; so when the soul and conscience is distempered, and not set at peace, it is not gracious. So now you see the order, there is a troubled good conscience, and a peaceable good conscience, and then a gracious heart: for while conscience is not at peace, by the blood, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by considering him, and by application of him, there is no grace nor service of God with that heart: but the heart shuns God, it hates God, and murmurs against God; men think why should they do good deeds when they believe not? when they cast not themselves upon Christ, and when conscience is not sprinkled with the blood of Christ; they are able to do nothing out of the love of God, and whatsoever is not of faith and love, it is sin. The heart cannot but be afraid of God, and wish there were no God, and murmur, and repine till it be pacified. That is the reason why the Apostles in the latter part of their Epistles, ⟨p. 186⟩they press conscience of good duties, when they had taught Christians before, and stablished them in Christ, because all duties issue from faith, if they come not thence they are nothing: if there be first faith in Christ; then there will be a good conscience in our lives and conversations.
Hereupon comes (in the third place) a gracious good conscience, which is a conscience 1after we have beleeved, that resolves to please God in all things, as the Apostle saith Heb. 13. We have a good Conscience studying to please God in