The Parable of the Ten Virgins Opened and Applied

1. To accuse, Hence a man dares not omit prayer, dares not commit a sin he hath a mind to; conscience would then roar. Hence many keep constantly set duties in private, and tremble at small sins: not because they take any delight in the one, or are weary of the other; but because they are ever under the eye of this Judge.

2. To Excuse, and to give much sweetness when a man follows the dictates thereof; hence a man though carnal, will die for his Religion, and that with some cheerfulness, because conscience cheers within, and sings him asleep in trouble. And hence a man will cry out of all the glorious hypocrisies of men, because to walk according to Conscience is sweeter to him. And hence a man comforts himself, tis my Conscience, Mark 12. 33. To love God is better than burnt Offerings. Hence a man will profit exceedingly in what he holds, Gal. 1. 14. because zealous for it for Conscience: and yet this is but a Principle of Nature, not an inward Principle of life, whose property is to seek the subversion of corrupt Nature, as natural Conscience seeks the garnishings of it and the actions thereof.

2. To Excuse, and to give much sweetness when a man follows the dictates thereof; hence a man though carnal, will die for his Religion, and that with some chearfulness, because conscience chears within, and sings him asleep in trouble. And hence a man will cry out of all the glorious hypocri•ies of men, because to walk according to Conscience is sweeter to him. And hence a man comforts himself, tis my Conscience, Mark 12. 33. To love God is better than burnt Offerings. Hence a man will profit exceedingly in what he holds, Gal. 1. 14. because zealous for it for Conscience: and yet this is but a Principle of Nature, not an inward Principle of life, whose property is to seek the subversion of corrupt Nature, as natural Conscience seeks the garnishings of it and the actions thereof.