A second volume of discourses or sermons on several scriptures

Secondly, Another Reason is this; because by acting contrary to Conscience, though mis-informed, and erroneous, we do contemn the Authority and Will of God; and therefore it is Sin. We are all to guide our Consciences by the Word that is God's written Will; and we are all to guide our Lives by our Consciences. No man thinks his Conscience to be erroneous; but thinks it to be according to the Will of God. Now, if we do not act accordingly, we sin as much as if indeed it were informed according to the Will of God. Conscience is God's Deputy and Vice-gerent in the Soul, and what Conscience saith, we think it is God that commands, whether ⟨p. 126⟩it be or not; and to act contrary to it, is virtually and implicitly to disobey God; because we think what Conscience speaks, God speaks; and therefore it is very sad to fall under the entanglements of an erroneous Conscience; for then we are under a sad necessity of sinning on both hands: if we act according to it, we sin; and if we act not according to it, we sin. We should therefore, above all things, heartily beg and desire of God, who is the Lord of Conscience, that he would rightly inform our Consciences in those things that are our Duties, that so by guiding our Lives by our Consciences, we may guide them also according to his Will.

Secondly, Another Reason is this; because by acting contrary to Conscience, though mis-informed, and erroneous, we do contemn the Authority and Will of God; and therefore it is Sin. We are all to guide our Consciences by the Word that is God's written Will; and we are all to guide our Lives by our Consciences. No man thinks his Conscience to be erroneous; but thinks it to be according to the Will of God. Now, if we do not act accordingly, we sin as much as if indeed it were informed according to the Will of God. Conscience is God's Deputy and Vice-gerent in the Soul, and what Conscience saith, we think it is God that commands, whether ⟨p. 126⟩it be or not; and to act contrary to it, is vertually and implicitely to disobey God; because we think what Conscience speaks, God speaks; and therefore it is very sad to fall under the entanglements of an erroneous Conscience; for then we are under a sad necessity of sinning on both hands: if we act according to it, we sin; and if we act not according to it, we sin. We should therefore, above all things, heartily beg and desire of God, who is the Lord of Conscience, that he would rightly inform our Consciences in those things that are our Duties, that so by guiding our Lives by our Consciences, we may guide them also according to his Will.