Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Secondly, The book of conscience will be opened, and shall be at a thousand witnesses to prove the fact, Rom. ii. 1•. Which show the ⟨p. 279⟩work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness. Conscience is a censor going with every man whithersoever he goes, taking an account of his deeds done in the body, and, as it were noting them in a book; the which being opened, will be found a double of the former, so far as it relates to one's own state and case Much is written in it, which cannot be read now; the writing of conscience being in many cases, like to that which is made with the juice of lemons, not to be read, till it be held before the fire: but then men shall read it clearly and distinctly: the fire which is to try every man's work, will m•ke the book of conscience legible in every point. Tho' the book be sealed now (the conscience blind, dumb and deaf) the seals will then be broken, and the book opened. There shall be no more a weak or misinformed conscience among those on the right hand, or these on the left. There shall not be a silent conscience, and far less a scared conscience amongst all the ungodly crew: but their consciences shall be most quick-sighted, and most lively, in that day. None shall then call good evil, or evil good. Ignorance of what sin is, and what things are sins, will have no place among them: and the subtle reasonings of men, in favour of their lusts, will then be for ever baffled by their own consciences. None shall have the favour (if I may so speak) of lying under the soft cover of delusion: but they shall all be convicted by their conscience. Nill they, will they, they shall look on this book, read and be confounded, and stand speechless, knowing that nothing is charged upon them by mistake; since this is a book, which was always in their own custody. Thus shall the Judge make every man see himself, in the glass of his own conscience, which will make quick work.

Secondly, The book of conscience will be opened, and shall be at a thousand witnesses to prove the fact, Rom. ii. 1•. Which shew the ⟨p. 279⟩