1First, The constant voice of Conscience lies against it. Conscience (if not seared) inexorably condemneth, and pronounceth Wrath and Anger upon the soul that hath the least guilt cleaving to it. Now it hath this advantage; it lieth close to the soul, and by importunity, and loud speaking it will he heard in what it hath to say. It will make the whole soul attend, or it will speak like thunder. And its constant voice is, that where there is guilt there must be judgement, Rom. 2. 14, 15. Conscience naturally knows nothing of forgiveness. Yea, it is against its very trust, work, and office to hear any thing of it. If a man of courage and honesty be entrusted to keep a Garrison against an Enemy, let one come and tell him, that there is peace made between those whom he serves, and their Enemies, so that he may leave his Guard, and set open the Gates, and cease his watchfulness; how wary will he be, lest under this pretence he be betrayed? No saith he, I will keep my hold, until I have express order from my Superiors. Conscience is entrusted with the power of God in the soul of a sinner, with command to keep all in subjection with reference unto the Judgement to come; it will not betray its trust in believing every report of peace. No! but this it says, and it speaks in the name of God; Guilt and punishment are inseparable twins. If the soul sin, God will judge. What tell you me of forgiveness, I know what my commission is; and that I will abide by; you shall not bring in a Superior Commander, a cross Principle into my trust; for if this be so, it seems I must let go my Throne; another Lord must come in; not knowing as yet how this whole business is compounded in the blood of Christ. Now whom should a man believe if not his own Conscience, which as it will not flatter him, so it intends not to affright him, but to speak the truth as the matter requireth. Conscience hath two works in reference unto sin; one to condemn the Acts of sin: another to judge the Person of the sinner; both with reference to the Judgement of God. When forgiveness comes, it would sever and part these employments, and take ⟨p. 81⟩one of them out of the hand of conscience. It would divide the spoil with this strong one. It shall condemn the fact, or every sin; but it shall no more condemn the sinner, the Person of the sinner; that shall be freed from its sentence.
1First, The constant voyce of Conscience lyes against it. Conscience (if not seared) inexorably condemneth, and pronounceth Wrath and Anger upon the soul that hath the least guilt cleaving to it. Now it hath this advantage; it lyeth close to the soul, and by importunity, and loud speaking it will he heard in what it hath to say. It will make the whole soul attend, or it will speak like thunder. And its constant voyce is, that where there is guilt there must be judgement, Rom. 2. 14, 15. Conscience naturally knows nothing of forgiveness. Yea, it is against its very trust, work, and office to hear any thing of it. If a man of courage and honesty be entrusted to keep a Garrison against an Enemy, let one come and tell him, that there is peace made between those whom he serves, and their Enemies, so that he may leave his Guard, and set open the Gates, and cease his watchfulness; how wary will he be, lest under this pretence he be betrayed? No saith he, I will keep my hold, until I have express order from my Superiours. Conscience is entrusted with the power of God in the soul of a sinner, with command to keep all in subjection with reference unto the Judgement to come; it will not betray its trust in believing every report of peace. No! but this it sayes, and it speaks in the name of God; Guilt and punishment are inseparable twins. If the soul sin, God will judge. What tell you me of forgiveness, I know what my commission is; and that I will abide by; you shall not bring in a Superior Commander, a cross Principle into my trust; for if this be so, it seems I must let go my Throne; another Lord must come in; not knowing as yet how this whole business is compounded in the blood of Christ. Now whom should a man believe if not his own Conscience, which as it will not flatter him, so it intends not to affright him, but to speak the truth as the matter requireth. Conscience hath two works in reference unto sin; one to condemn the Acts of sin: another to judge the Person of the sinner; both with reference to the Judgement of God. When forgiveness comes, it would sever and part these employments, and take ⟨p. 81⟩one of them out of the hand of conscience. It would divide the spoil with this strong one. It shall condemn the fact, or every sin; but it shall no more condemn the sinner, the Person of the sinner; that shall be freed from its sentence.
- 1Testimony of a natural consciscience, against the forgiveness of sin.
