The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

Secondly, Sincere Obedience, that is an uniform and entire respect to all the Commands of God, will alone be accepted in that day: for his Authority runs through all, and binds them on the Conscience. David had this Testimony from God himself, that he was a Man after his own Heart, that fulfilled all his Will. And St. John refers the decision of our state to this, If our ⟨p. 243⟩Hearts condemn us of any allowed Sin of omission or commission,¹ much more God will, who is greater than our Hearts, and knows all things. But if the illuminated tender Conscience doth not condemn us of insincerity, we have confidence towards God, that he will spare and accept us notwithstanding our Frailties, and give free and safe access into his Presence. The lives of many are chequered with a strange disparity, they are restrained from some Sins of apparent odiousness, but indulgent to others; they are strict in some Duties, but loose and slack in others, as if they hoped by way of commutation to be accepted of God; to expiate their Delinquencies in one kind by supererogating in another. Some are painted Pharisees in the duties of the first Table, very exact in the formalities of outward Devotions, but gross Publicans in the duties of the second; careless of Justice and Equity, and Charity to Men: Others are in appearance strictly moral in the discharge of their duties to Men, and negligent of their Obligations to God. But partial Obedience can never endure the trial of Conscience, much less of God. For what is the weak ⟨p. 244⟩light of our Minds, to the pure Eyes of his Glory? It will make us liable to inward rebuke now, and to open confusion at the last.² St. Paul's rejoicing was from the Testimony of his Conscience, that in simplicity and godly Sincerity he had his Conversation in the World: and, as he expresses it in another place, it was his daily Exercise to have a Conscience void of Offence towards God, and towards Men. Tho our conquest of Sin be not complete, yet our resolution and endeavours must be to mortify it in every kind. Tho our Obedience has not the perfection of Degrees, we must be equally regarding the Divine Law. If there be any secret-favoured Sin, either of Omission or Commission, it will render our Petitions unacceptable at the Throne of Grace, and our Persons at the Throne of Judgment; If I regard Iniquity in my Heart, the Lord will not hear my Prayer.