3. The Conscience of every Man shall then be opened,1 and give an accusing or excusing Testimony of all things: for these Acts of Conscience in the present ⟨p. 190⟩Life, have a final respect to God's Tribunal. And though the Accounts are so vast, there shall be an exact Agreement between the Books of God's Omniscience, and of Conscience in the Day of Judgment. Now indeed the Conscience of Man, though never so inquisitive and diligent in examining and revising his Ways, is unable to take a just account of his Sins. As one that would tell the first appearing Stars in the Evening, before he can reckon them, others appear and confound his Memory with their number: so when Conscience is seriously intent in reflecting upon it self, before it can reckon up the Sins committed against one Command, innumerable others appear. This made the Psalmist, upon the survey of his Actions, break forth in amazement and perplexity;2 Mine Iniquities are more than the Hairs upon my Head, therefore my Heart fails me. But it will be one of the Miracles of that Day, to enlarge the view of Conscience to all their Sins. Now the Records of Conscience are often obliterated, and the Sins written therein are forgotten; but then they shall appear in so clear an impression, that the Wicked shall be ⟨p. 191⟩inexcusable to themselves, and Conscience subscribes their Condemnation. And O the formidable Spectacle, when Conscience enlightened by a Beam from Heaven, shall present to a Sinner in one view the Sins of his whole Life! Now Conscience is a Notary in every Man's Bosom; and though 'tis not always vocal, yet writes down their Actions. The Sin of Judah is written with a Pen of Iron, 3and with a point of a Diamond 'tis graven upon the Tables of the Heart. But then it shall be compelled to give a full Charge against the Guilty. Of this we have an infallible Presage in this World, when Conscience turns the Point against the Breast of a Sinner, and enforces the Tongue, by a secret instigation, to accuse the Person. And this Information of Conscience at the last will make the Sinner speechless: for the Book of Accounts with Divine Justice, was always in his own keeping; and whatever is recorded there, was written with his own Hand. And how will those hardened Sinners that now kick against the Pricks of Conscience, be able to repel its strong and quick Accusations before that terrible Tribunal?
3. The Conscience of every Man shall then be open'd,1 and give an accusing or excusing Testimony of all things: for these Acts of Conscience in the present ⟨p. 190⟩Life, have a final respect to God's Tribunal. And though the Accounts are so vast, there shall be an exact Agreement between the Books of God's Omniscience, and of Conscience in the Day of Judgment. Now indeed the Conscience of Man, though never so inquisitive and diligent in examining and revising his Ways, is unable to take a just account of his Sins. As one that would tell the first appearing Stars in the Evening, before he can reckon them, others appear and confound his Memory with their number: so when Conscience is seriously intent in reflecting upon it self, before it can reckon up the Sins committed against one Command, innumerable others appear. This made the Psalmist, upon the survey of his Actions, break forth in amazement and perplexity;2 Mine Iniquities are more than the Hairs upon my Head, therefore my Heart fails me. But it will be one of the Miracles of that Day, to enlarge the view of Conscience to all their Sins. Now the Records of Conscience are often obliterated, and the Sins written therein are forgotten; but then they shall appear in so clear an impression, that the Wicked shall be ⟨p. 191⟩inexcusable to themselves, and Conscience subscribes their Condemnation. And O the formidable Spectacle, when Conscience enlightned by a Beam from Heaven, shall present to a Sinner in one view the Sins of his whole Life! Now Conscience is a Notary in every Man's Bosom; and though 'tis not always vocal, yet writes down their Actions. The Sin of Judah is written with a Pen of Iron, 3and with a point of a Diamond 'tis graven upon the Tables of the Heart. But then it shall be compell'd to give a full Charge against the Guilty. Of this we have an infallible Presage in this World, when Conscience turns the Point against the Breast of a Sinner, and enforces the Tongue, by a secret instigation, to accuse the Person. And this Information of Conscience at the last will make the Sinner speechless: for the Book of Accounts with Divine Justice, was always in his own keeping; and whatever is recorded there, was written with his own Hand. And how will those hardned Sinners that now kick against the Pricks of Conscience, be able to repel its strong and quick Accusations before that terrible Tribunal?
- 1Rom. 2.15, 16.
- 2Psal. 40.12.
- 3Jer. 17.1.
