2. We may prove a Deity by our own Conscience. Conscience is God's Deputy or Vicegerent. Conscience is a Witness of a Deity. If there were no Bible to tell us there is a God, yet Conscience might. Conscience, as the Apostle saith, either accuseth or excuseth, Rom. 2.15. Conscience acts in order to an higher Judicatory. 1. Natural Conscience being kept free from gross sin, excuseth. When a Man doth Virtuous Actions, lives soberly and righteously, observes the golden Maxim, Doing to others as he would have them do to him, then Conscience approves, and saith, well done. Conscience, like a Bee, gives Honey. 2. Natural Conscience in the Wicked doth accuse. When Men go against the Light of Conscience, then they feel the Worm of Conscience. Eheu quis intus scorpio? Sen. Conscience being sinned against, spits fire in Mens faces, fills them with shame and horror. When the Sinner sees an Hand-writing on the Wall of Conscience, his Countenance is changed. Many have hanged themselves to quiet their Conscience. Tiberius the Emperor, a bloody Man, felt the Lashes of his Conscience, he was so haunted with that Fury, that he told the Senate, he suffered Death daily. And what is it should put a Man's Conscience into such an Agony, but the Impression of a Deity, and the Thoughts of coming before God's Tribunal. Those who are above all Humane Laws, yet are subject to the Checks of their own Conscience. And it is observable, the nearer the Wicked approach to Death, the more they are terrified, and Conscience gives a louder Alarm to them; And whence is this, but from the apprehension of Judgment approaching. The Soul being sensible of its Immortal Nature, trembles at him who never ceaseth to Live, and therefore will never cease to Punish.
2. We may prove a Deity by our own Conscience. Conscience is God's Deputy or Vicegerent. Conscience is a Witness of a Deity. If there were no Bible to tell us there is a God, yet Conscience might. Conscience, as the Apostle saith, either accuseth or excuseth, Rom. 2.15. Conscience acts in order to an higher Judicatory. 1. Natural Conscience being kept free from gross sin, excuseth. When a Man doth Vertuous Actions, lives soberly and righteously, obeserves the golden Maxim, Doing to others as he would have them do to him, then Conscience approves, and saith, well done. Conscience, like a Bee, gives Honey. 2. Natural Conscience in the Wicked doth accuse. When Men go against the Light of Conscience, then they feel the Worm of Conscience. Eheu quis intus scorpio? Sen. Conscience being sinned against, spits fire in Mens faces, fills them with shame and horrour. When the Sinner sees an Hand-writing on the Wall of Conscience, his Countenance is changed. Many have hanged themselves to quiet their Conscience. Tiberius the Emperour, a bloody Man, felt the Lashes of his Conscience, he was so haunted with that Fury, that he told the Senate, he suffered Death daily. And what is it should put a Man's Conscience into such an Agony, but the Impression of a Deity, and the Thoughts of coming before God's Tribunal. Those who are above all Humane Laws, yet are subject to the Checks of their own Conscience. And it is observable, the nearer the Wicked approach to Death, the more they are terrified, and Conscience gives a louder Alarm to them; And whence is this, but from the apprehension of Judgment approaching. The Soul being sensible of its Immortal Nature, trembles at him who never ceaseth to Live, and therefore will never cease to Punish.
