The Whole Duty of Divine Meditation, Part 2 · Meditation 10
MED. X. Of a Good Conscience.
Act. xxiv. 16.
And herein do I exercise my self, to have always a conscience void of offence towards Ged, and towards men.
WHATEVER thou undertakest, consult thy Conscience; and if Satan excites thee to any Evil, stand in awe of the Checks within thee: for the Internal Testimony is of more Efficacy than the External. Thy Conscience, that Angel-Guardian, which Divine Omnipotence hath fixed within thee, shall be register'd in those Books which will be opened at the Great Day, as is testified by St. Iohn, Rev. 20. 22.
II. THE First is, the Book of God's Omniscience; wherein thy Thoughts, Words, and Actions, shall be demonstrated. The Second is, the Book of Life, Rev. 13. 8. wherein those that are found written by Verity and Faith, shall be safely conducted by the Angels into Heaven's Imperial Court. The Third is, the Book of Holy Writ; according to which Golden Rule, our Faith and Good Works shall be measured. The Fourth, contains the Testimony of the Indigent, whom we have defrauded or relieved. The Last Book contains the Internal Testimony of the Voice of Conscience; wherein all Offences are noted: and indeed, the Volume must be large, and exactly written by the Finger of Truth.
III. SINNERS, in that Day, will be fully convinced by the Terrour within 'em; and they can no ways shun so just an Accusation. A Mind undefiled, is the Crystal-Glass of the Soul; and is so transparent, that she evidently, by the Opticks of Faith, beholds the Idea of the Almighty: for a sordid Eye cannot view the Splendor of a true Luminary. As a well Complexion'd, and good Featur'd Countenance, is esteem'd in the Eye of the World; so an unspotted Conscience is acceptable in the sight of the Almighty. But that Conscience which abounds with Putrefaction, generates that Worm which continually, Vulture like, corrodes, but never dies.
IV. O THEN let us, while it is Day, with a true Remorse, have a sense and feeling of this never-dying Worm, and diligently labour to use all Arts to destroy it; and let us not indulge it by any means, lest it abide with us to all Eternity. VVhat can it advantage thee, if thou wer't a Proficient in all the Arts and Sciences in this Microcosm; nay, though thy Skill did extend so far, as to number the Stars, and to trace out the ways of the Planets, and did'st enjoy no Peace within to comfort thee. Let it be thy care to square the Actions of thy Life according to that Rule prescrib'd by the Holy Jesus. Let Purity reign in the Centre of thy Heart, Verity possess thy Tongue, and embrace Justice, that it may attend thee in all thy Proceedings. All which will evidently demonstrate whether thy Life be Good or Evil.
V. ALL the Applause and Breath of the VVorld is insignificant, if thy Bosom Friend, thy Conscience, accuse thee? And what can all their Detraction prejudice thee, if she defend thee? This potent …udge thou carriest about thee, is sufficient to Accuse, Testifie, and to Condemn thee: This Justice holds the Balance even, and will not be bribed with unjust Rewards; never will she be mollified with fruitless Prayers, but she indefatigably follows thee whithersoever thou goest, and will attend thee where-ever thou art, carrying about her that Charge which thou hast committed to her custody, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
VI. AND as the Testimony of thy Conscience evidences against thee, such Judgment must thou expect from the Judge of all Men. Sinners themselves, at last, shall become their own Accusers, though no other Testimony appeared against them. For Instance, The Drunkard, when he is overwhelm'd with VVine, or Strong-drink, hath no sense of the Prejudice he hath receiv'd by his Intemperance; but having slept away his Drunkenness, the charm of sensuality is fractur'd, and he feels the smart of his own Imbecillity.
VII. So Sin, that Diabolical Treasure, whil'st it is agitating, darkens the Mind, and, like a condense Cloud, obscures the Lustre of perspicuous Judgment; but at length the Voice within is rouzed up like a Lion, and rendeth more vehemently than any other Accuser. Oh, let us all, betimes, mortifie this Worm, by the fervour of our Devotion, that it may not gnaw upon us, to our Destruction, and lead us to Eternal Horrour. Extinguish this internal Fire by thy Prayers and Tears, that so thou may'st enjoy Heaven in the Cool of the Day. VVhichWhich God of his infinite Goodness grant that we may attain, by fighting a good fight, finishing our course, and keeping the faith, 2 Tim 47.