Conscience the Best Friend Upon Earth, Sermon 3

Conscience the Best Friend Upon Earth · Sermon 3

p. 45SERMON III.

JOB 27. 6.

My Righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my Heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

HAving already shewed you what Conscience is, and about what it is imployed, and how it is imployed, and given you several reasons why we should make it our great care so to live, that Conscience may not reproach us while we live; and having made some Use of the Doctrine, I now come to resolve two questions or cases.

1. The first is, how may we so live, walk and act, and carry our selves, that Conscience may have no cause to reproach us another day?

p. 462. If we have so lived, so walked, so acted, and so carryed our selves, that Conscience hath had just cause to reproach us, and doth reproach us; what is to be done, that the reproaches of Conscience may be wiped off, that Conscience may be quiet, and cease to accuse and condemn, cease to vex and torment? These are the two cases I am to answer.

Case 1. How may we so live, walk, act and carry our selves, that Conscience may have no cause to reproach us? You see that Job did so live and carry himself, that though his friends did reproach him, his Conscience did not reproach him; though his friends did charge him, yet his Conscience did discharge him, though his friends did condemne him, yet his Conscience did acquit him. He did so live, that he was able to maintain his Integrity and Uprightness; and doubtless it is not a thing impossible, but we do not set to it, we do p. 47not set about it in earnest. If we be Christians indeed, and not almost Christians, we might so live as Conscience might have no just cause to reproach us. O Sirs, Relations may reproach us, Wives may reproach Husbands, and Husbands reproach Wives, Children may reproach Parents, and Servants reproach their Masters, and one Neighbour reproach another; but it is possible so to live, that Conscience all this while may be at peace, and not reproach us. Possibly you may be ready to think and say within your selves, Would we could tell how we might so live, pray let us have some directions how we may so live that Conscience may not reproach us. But before I give counsel should not I know of you whether you will follow it? And in case you will not follow it, why should I give it? Ask your selves therefore, if the Minister shall give us no other counsel then what God p. 48himself giveth us, should not I follow it? Sirs, if I give you any other counsel then what God in his holy Word doth give you, I would intreat you not to follow it; nay, if you set it at naught I shall not be offended. Consider what Jethro said to Moses, Exod. 18. 23. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so; so say I Therefore consider whether God say as I say, whether God command you so; if so, pray take heed how you do set at naught the Counsel of God. Now the first Direction which I shall give you is this.

Direction I.

Set God always before you. And this will be a means so to live, that Conscience may not reproach you. Assure your selves there is no time wherein Gods Back is turned, no time wherein Gods Eye is not upon you: if you can find a time when God is absent, you may take your liberty and do what you list. You know of what p. 49force the Masters presence is among the Servants; of what force the Parents presence is among the Children to restrain them; of what force the presence of a Minister, or a grave, serious, and holy Christian, is to restrain People from what otherwise they would take liberty to do: Sure Gods Presence should be of greater force to restrain us, if we did but live in the Apprehension thereof. O if we could but set God always before us, what manner of persons should we be in all holy Conv…rsation, all holy cogitation, and in all holy communication too! David did set God always before him, and why should not we do so too? Psal. 16. 8. I have set the Lord always before me. O then it was, that David was a man after Gods own heart; then it was that David was such a Praying man, and such a Praising man, and such an Holy and Heavenly man, when he did set the Lord always p. 50before him. You know how persons will carry themselves in the sight of Men, if they have any thing to do in the sight of others, how they will do it; O that we could do all we do as in the sight of God. This was the charge that was given to Abraham by God himself, Gen. 17. 1. Walk before me, and be thou perfect; that is, upright. There is no such way to be upright. as to live in the Apprehension of the Presence of God, and to have this always run in our thoughts, God heareth, God sees, and God knows. O that this were written upon your Desks and Shop Boards, God sees; O that this were written upon your Tables, God sees; Oh that this were written upon your Looking Glasses, God sees; O that this were written upon all your Attire and Dresses, God sees; and O that this were written upon your Naked Breasts and Shoulders, God sees, and upon your Faces and Foreheads p. 51too. I do assure you (Sirs) that God does see you; O that you would live in the continual Apprehension of it. God sees thee, God knows what all your thoughts are, what all your designs are, what all your sayings and doings are. Be ever thinking, God knows, God hears, God sees. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths, Prov. 3. 6. This will make you careful to keep Gods Precepts, if in all your ways you look upon God as your Observer and Overseer. This was that which made David careful to observe Gods Precepts, Psal. 119. 168. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies. O blessed David, how didst thou do this! He tells you in the next words, For all my ways are before thee. I could heartily wish …hat you would often and seriously read and consider these three or four scriptures; Job 34. 21, 22. For his … are upon the ways of man, and he p. 52sees all his goings. There is no darkness or shadow of death, where the Workers of iniquity may hide themselves. There is no hiding from God, be sees all our goings; we cannot set one foot before another but God sees it. Alas, alas, if a man do but go out of doors God sees it, if he goes into the Field God sees it, if he goes to other Houses God sees it, if he goes to his own House God sees it too. Prov. 15. 3. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Prov. 5. 2. The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. I desire you once a week to read over the former part of the 139 Psalm; if I should desire you to read it once a day, it would not be lost labour. You will see there is no going out of the sight and presence of God. Verily (Sirs) to set God always before us, and to live in the Sight and Apprehension of the p. 53Presence of God, this would have such an influence upon our Thoughts, Words, and Works, that it would make them pleasing to God; and if so, Conscience would never reproach us for them; for Conscience will not reproach us for doing that which is pleasing to God. Thus much for the first Direction.

Direction II.

Set up Gods Will revealed in his Word as the Rule of all your Thoughts, Words and Actions; as the rule of all you do in your general calling, and of all you do in your particular calling; as a rule of all your natural, civil, and religious Actions; set up the Will of God revealed in his Word, as the rule of your all. Let it be the rule of your carriage towards God, of your carriage toward men, toward your selves, and toward others. This is Scripture direction, the Counsel which the Holy Ghost giveth; therefore I beseech you seriously consider p. 54of it and follow it. Psal. 119. 6. The shall not I be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy Commandements: and in the 9th. verse a Question is put Wherewithall shall a young man cleans his way? (the answer followeth) By taking heed thereto according to thy Word; doing all according to Rule What hath a Child a Copy for, but to write after it? and what hath the Mason a Line and a Plummet for, but to build by it? Let the Word of God be thy Lamp and thy Light. Psal. 119 105. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, wild a light unto my Path. Order your steps according to the Word of God, as David prayed, Psal. 119. 133. and then you will not stumble, nor give Conscience any occasion of reproaching you: You are careful, when you walk in the Street, to keep out of the Chanal, to keep out of the way that may pollute and defile you; Oh Sirs, why do we not order our steps according to the Word of God▪ p. 55Why do we not keep the path? Why go we out of the path? Poor David did so sometimes; therefore the prays, Psal. 119. 176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy Servant, for I do not forget thy Commandements. Would you not be willing, that Mercy and Peace might be upon you? Gal. 6. 16. As many as walk according to this rule peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Beware, my friends, of setting up false rules, to your selves, and I beseech you, let not these directions which I am giving you be out of mind when I am out of sight. I pray beware of setting up false rules; I shall name sour, which we are very prone to walk by.

1. Beware of setting up the practice of others whether great or good for your rule; the practices of good men are not always agreeable to the rule as they should be. Ministers and others may step aside, and too often do; therefore beware of setting up the p. 56practice of others, whether great or good, to be your rule, Remember you are to follow others as they follow Christ. You will say, this was the practice of such a Minister, this is the practice of such a Professor; but do they walk as Christ walked? If they follow Christ thou mayst follow them; but if they do not follow Christ, we must not follow them, be they who they will.

2. Beware of setting up the opinions of others, be they never so learned, for your rule, though they be the greatest Doctors in the World, and called Rabbi never so much. Set not up the Opinion of any for your rule, any further then they have the Word of God for their Opinion. When God speaks we must consider who, but when Man speaks we must consider what; I say when God speaks we must not consider what but who, but when Man speaks we must not consider who but what. We know God cannot p. 57erre, but we know that Man may erre▪

3. Beware of setting up the Customes of the times and places you live in for your rule. Oh this is the Custome of the time, and this is the Custome of the place, and what shall I be like no body? Do not make this your rule. Tell me where in all the Bible doth God allow this for a rule, to walk according to the Custome of the times and places wherein we live?

4. Beware of setting up the Multitude for your example, follow not a multitude to do evil. Let not this fatisfie you, nor serve your turn, to say, Why, every one doth so; it is general and common, the Multitude doth it; what shall I be singular, like no body in the World? Assure your selves that a Multitude is not a Law and Rule for you to walk by. I appeal to you, Sirs, whether this be not good counsel, whether it would not be a great help to, and furtherance of, the p. 58peace and quiet of your Consciences, to set up the Will of God revealed in in his Word for the rule of your all.

Direction III.

Set up Gods Glory as the end of all. If you would not have Conscience to reproach you another day, set up Gods Glory as the end of all that you do. Often say to thine own soul, How doth this tend to the Glory of God? will God be Honoured by this? will God be Glorified by this? When you are upon any undertaking, or when you are about any natural, civil, or religious Action, think seriously with your selves, What do I aim at? what is my design in doing this or that? Is it the Glory of God? O Sirs, if it be the pleasing of your selves, Conscience will be displeased; if it be the pleasing of the flesh, Conscience will be displeased to purpose; if it be the pleasing of the World, the pleasing of one another, and not the pleasing of p. 59God, Conscience will be displeased another day: for Conscience is never pleased when the Glory of God is not designed. 1 Cor. 10. 31. that Scripture should be considered by my self and you. Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the Glory of God; do all that God may be honoured. Sirs, You are not your own, for you are bought with a price: glorifie God with your Bodies, and with your Spirits, which are Gods. I appeal unto your Consciences, whether this would not be the way to keep Conscience quiet, that it should have no cause to reproach you, if you did but set up the Glory of God as the end of all. Certainly all we do will be never the less profitable or pleasurable, contentful or satisfactory, to us, for making Gods Glory the end of all; but a thousand to one, it would make every thing by so much the more profitable, pleasurable and satisfactory to us, by how much more we make the Glory of p. 60God the end thereof. O Sirs, how sweetly will that meat go down that is eaten with an eye to the Glory of God? How comfortable will those dealings and trading in the World be, that are done with an eye to the Glory of God?

Direction IV.

If you would so live, that Conscience may have no occasion to reproach you, Set up an Inquisition Court in your own souls. You have heard talk of an Inquisition in Spain, and in other Popish Countries; Oh that you would set up an Inquisition Court in your own souls. We have Courts of Inquiry among us; Oh keep a weekly, nay a daily, Court of Inquiry in your own hearts. Commune with your own hearts every day, according to the Example of David, Psal. 4. 4. Examine your selves often, be not seldome in the work of self-examiniation. 2. Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selves, prove your own selves, whether you be in the Faith: p. 61know ye not that Christ is in you? Except ye be Reprobates or unapproved: whether you be reprobate Silver, that is, not current. Examine your selves, prove your own selves. Ps. 119. 59. I thought on my ways (saith David) and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. Oh think on your ways, say often to thine own soul, What am I? what do I? how live I? whether go I? what will be my condition through all Eternity? Will such questions do you any harm? I appeal to your selves that are able to Judge. O that I could get you to reckon often with your selves, and to keep a Petty Sessions in your own souls, and sit as Judges in a Court of Inquiry upon all your thoughts, words and Actions, saying to them, Come hither my thoughts, come hither my words, come hither my works, come let me examine you, come let me compare you with the rule; would not this prevent the accusations of Conscience if you did p. 62but reckon with your selves once every day, if it were but one quarter of an hour in the day? See Jer. 8. 6.

Direction. V.

Set open your ears to the voice of Conscience, when it is enlightened and directed by the Word of God. When Conscience hath information from the Word of God, set open your ears to its voice, hearken to the voice of Conscience; as Abraham once by Gods command hearkened to the voice of Sarah, Gen. 21. 12. And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the Lad, and because of the Bond-woman: In all Sarah hath said unto thee hearken unto her voice. Why so say I to you: in all that Conscience informed by the Word shall say unto you, hearken unto its voice. Be subject for Conscience sake, is the Command, Rom. 13. 5. This Subjection for Conscience sake to those that are in Authority God hath commanded; Conscience p. 63will clamour, upbraid, and reproach, if Gods Commands be not obeyed. Hearken to the voice of Conscience, hearken to the Directing voice, and the Reproving voice, of Conscience. Ps. 16. 7 My reins instruct me, &c. that is, my inmost thoughts and secret motions do instruct me. Hearken to its Directing voice when it saith, This is the way, walk in it, Isa. 30. 21. When thou hearest a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk in it; hearken also to its Reproving voice, to its Correcting voice. Thus David expostulates, Psal. 4. 2. & 43. Why art thou cast down, O my Soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Trust still in God. Why art thou thus diffident? why art thou thus distrustful? Thus David reproves himself, and chides himself. Psal. 77. 10. And I said, this is my infirmity. But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most high. And I said, this is my infirmity, this is my p. 64frailty; I am to blame. Thus he checks himself, and hearkens to the voice of Conscience.

Direction VI.

Set your selves against all sin; both great and small. Fight against all sin, oppose all sin; allow not your selves in the practice of any known sin, nor in the omission of any known Duty. Paul was very careful herein, Acts 8. 23. And Paul earnestly beholding the Council said, Men and Brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God unto this day. And how came he to live in all good Conscience? it was before God. If we could well remember the first Direction, we should the better live in all good Conscience. And herein (saith the Apostle) do I exercise my self, to have always a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward Men, Acts 24. 16. Pray for us (saith the Apostle) for we trust we have a good Conscience, in all things willing to live p. 65honestly. Mark, in all things; so Psal. 119. 101. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, &c. Verse 128. I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and I hate every false way. Pray observe here are three Universals: if you would not have Conscience reproach you, set your selves against all sin, against the Commission of all Sin, and against the Omission of all Duties both great and small. If you be not faithful in the least, you will not be trusted in the greatest. Luke 16. 12. Make Conscience of evil Thoughts, of idle and unsavoury Words and seeming Oaths; and according to the Rule abstain from all appearance of evil, from all semblance of evil, 1 Thes. 5. 22. Take heed of Deceit, and of every thing that hath the shew and semblance of evil. Take heed of Wanton Dresses; take heed of ensnaring Attire: I am confident that many poor Creatures have been catch'd p. 66as it were in a Snare and Trap by the Habit and Dresses of the Professors o… our Age. Alas, what Inventions have we to draw Eyes, both behind and before, to this part of the Body, and to the other part of the Body? The Lord be merciful to us, is this the way to escape the Reproaches of Conscience? O Friends, take heed of Deceit in your dealings; take heed of Lying for advantage; take heed of the Husk and Kernel of the Grape; though we drink not the Wine, may we not eat the Grape? If not the Grape, may we not eat the Husk of the Grape? And if not the the Husk, yet may we not eat the Kernel of the Grape? No. Num. 6. 4. This is the Law of the Nazarite, All the days of his Separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the Vine Tree, from the Kernels even to the Husk. He must not drink Wine, that was the Law of the Nazarite▪ That he might not be ensnared no… p. 67under a temptation to drink Wine, he must not meddle with any thing coming of the Vine, not the very Husk or the Kernel, lest he be ensnared. Our first Mother Eve was drawn to Eating by Seeing: O take heed of Temptations and Snares, and be not a Snare or Temptation unto others; but make Conscience of all sin, whether great or small. Nay further, if there be any question or doubt about any thing, whether it be a sin or no, what shall we do then? Some say it is a sin, and some say it is not a sin; and possibly some good men may say it is not a sin, and some good men may say it is a sin; what shall we do in such a doubtful matter? I shall quickly resolve you; Take the surest side. In such a case when the matter is doubtful, the surest way now is not to make or meddle at all with it.

Was there not Meat enough for them to eat in the Primitive Times, p. 68besides that which did give offence? Some doubt whether it was lawful to eat of this or that meat; what need we eat of it? Paul saith in such a case▪ I will never eat flesh while the world standeth, rather than offend a weak brother. It is not lawful, saith one; I will do it for all that, saith another. They are not of Pauls Spirit. And as for Dresses and Habits, are there not enough besides those which are questionable, and which both Ancient and Modern Divines have all condemned as sinful? Possibly some will assume a greater Liberty, and we are now generally grown to a greater Latitude; but tell me, Is there not enough of other sorts, but we must use such Habits and Dresses as are doubtful, questionable, and offensive? God help us to consider of it. In all matters doubtful and questionable, still take the surest side▪ If you do that which is questionable and doubtful, you may sin, and possibly p. 69it may be found to be a sin at the Day of Judgment; and if so, what will you do then? It was the speech of Mr. Bolton concerning Long Hair; You say the wearing of Long Hair is not a sin, but what if it be found at the Day of Judgment to be a sin? You will then wish, O that I had left it off, or never used it. Men are not infallible, Ministers are not infallible, no not the best of them; you are not to ground on them as if they could not be mistaken; therefore in all doubtful cases chuse the surest side. There is Meat enough to eat besides that which is doubtful; and there is Apparel enough to wear besides that which is offensive and questionable. If you would so live that Conscience may have no cause to reproach you, my Counsel to you is, Take always in doubtful matters the surest side, which is not to meddle or make with it at all; for if you do it you may sin, and at Judgment it may be found p. 70to be sin. But if you do it not, you are safe and free.

Direction. VII.

Set up Christ as your patern. If you would have Conscience not to reproach you another day, take Christ for your example. 1 Pet. 2. 21, 23. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, &c. We should pace after him, we ought to walk as Christ walked. If you would have Conscience not to reproach you, make Christ your patern; think, speak and do, as you are persuaded Christ would, were he in your case, were he in your place on earth: speak, think and do, as you think he would; ask your selves, Would Christ neglect his Fathers business as I do? Would he mis-spend his time, and tritle it away, that went about continually doing good? Would Christ have served one Lust, and another Lust, as I do, and have made provision p. 71for the flesh to fulfil the Lusts …hereof? Would he give himself to ri…ing and drunkenness, to chambering …nd wantonness as I do? As you would …ot have Conscience to reproach you, make Christ your Patern and Ex…mplar.

Direction VIII.

Sit under a Powerful Ministry. If …ou would prevent the reproaches of Conscience, love and like that Mini…er best that speaks to Conscience …ost; do not hate him that rebukes, …s they Amos 5. 10. but say as Da…id, (Psal. 141. 5.) Let the righteous nite me, it shall be a kindness; and …t him reprove me, it shall be an excel…nt oyl, that shall not break my head. Let him smite me, I will not be of…ended with him, I will not smite a…ain; when he fmites me, it shall be …s a precious Oyntment. The mean…ng is, Let him smite me with Re…roofs, let him reprove me, deal …ithfully and plainly with me. And p. 72(Sirs) I fear that my self and many of my Brethren in the Ministry may have much to answer for another day▪ for that we do not deal more faithfully, more plainly and downrightly with Souls. Ministers are under a Temptation to please their Hearers, as well as others, and are loth to offend them; but God forbid that Christs Ministers should be Servants of Men, or Men-pleasers, or Women-pleasers. Let them look to it, that they please their Lord and Master Christ.

Direction IX.

Set upon nothing, on which you cannot, on which you dare not, pray for a blessing. Never undertake any thing, never be imployed about any thing, upon which thou dost not dare to pray for a blessing. 1 Tim. 4. 4, 5. Every thing is sanctified by the Word and Prayer. I must have a Word to be my Rule for it, and I must make a Prayer for a Blessing on it, else I can p. 73not except that it should be sanctified and blessed to me. Now (Sirs) how many things are there that we do, that we dare not pray to God for a Blessing on? It may be you spend two or three hours at the Looking Glass, can you pray for a Blessing upon the time so spent? can you pray for a Blessing upon your dressing and attiring your selves, and habiting your selves in the way and manner that you do? can you pray, O Lord, let this way of habiting and dressing my self be for thy Glory, and for my Good, and for the example of others? Dare any of you go and make a prayer to God foe this? Adventure not upon any thing upon which you dare not pray for a Blessing.

Direction X.

If you would not have Conscience to reproach you, Set about all in the name and strength of Christ. For that is the rule which the Apostle giveth, Col. 3. 17. And whatsoever ye do i… p. 74word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do all according to the will and the command of Christ, do all by the strength and help of Christ, and do all to the Glory of Christ.

1. Do all according to the will and command of Christ. In Mat. 18. 20. The name of Christ signifies his command.

2. Do all by the strength and help of Christ. In this sense also is the name of Christ used, Luke 10. 17. and Psa. 44. 5. Luke. 17.

3. Do all to the Glory of Christ, which is sometimes to be understood by his name, as Psal. 31. 3. Oh that People would ask themselves, Is this according to the will and command of Christ that I am now a doing? can I expect the strength and help of Christ in that I am now a doing? is this for the Glory of Christ which I am now … doing? When thou art about … Duty, say to Christ, all our sufficien… …cy p. 75is of thee, we have none of our own, 2 Cor. 3. 5. Joh. 15. 5. Say as Paul, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me, Phil. 4. 13. And thus I have given you ten Directions how you may so live that Conscience may not reproach you.

Case II.

I come now to speak a little to the second case. What if we have neglected these rules and directions which have been laid before us. If you have neglected to walk according to rule, and have given Conscience just cause to reproach you; and if Conscience does reproach you, and if you ask me, How may we get the reproaches of Conscience wiped off, and get Conscience quiet again? I answer in two words, Repent and Believe.

1. Repent of that before the Lord which Conscience reproacheth you for, mourn for it, be ashamed of it, judge and condemne your selves for p. 76what is past, resolve against it for the time to come; this is a good course▪ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 1 Cor. 11. 31. For if we would judge our selves, we should not be judged; and if we acknowledg our transgressions, and accept of the punishment of our iniquity. Read Lev. 26. 40, 41, 42. There is not a better way to wipe off …he reproaches of Conscience, then by the tears of repentance. Follow the example of that Woman that came behind our Lord and Saviour, and washed his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the haires of her head. A service perhaps that you would be loath to put your hair to; but, Sirs, if you would have Conscience to be quiet, then seriously set upon the work of Repentance.

2. Believe. By Faith set Christs Blood on work, to wipe off the aspersions and reproaches of Conscience, p. 77to purifie and pacifie Conscience, get Conscience sprinkled with the Blood of Christ, Heb. 9. 14. You read of one Mat. 15. 28. that set the Pity and Power of Christ on work to make her Daughter whole. Jesus answered and said unto her, O Woman, great is thy Faith! Be it to thee even as thou wilt. Christ seemed not to regard her a while, but she followed him, and set his Pity and Power on work. Faith will set the Blood of Christ on work, to wipe of the reproaches of Conscience. The Centurions Faith set Christ on work to heal his Servant, Lord (saith he) my Servant lyeth at home sick of the Palsie grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The Centurion answered and said, Lord I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my Roof, but speak the word onelyonly, and my Servant shall be healed. And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way, and as thou hast believed so be it done p. 78unto thee. And his Servant was healed in the self same hour Mat. 8. 13.

The Lepers Faith did set Christ on work Mat. 8. 2, 3. And there came a Leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand and touched him, saying, I will, be thou clean: and immediately his Leprosie was cleansed. The Father of the Child that had a deaf and a dumb Spirit, his Faith set Christ on work, Mark 9. 23, 24, 25. Jesus saith unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straight way the Father of the Child cryed out with teares, Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. The Faith of the Woman diseased with an Issue of Blood set Christ on work, Mat. 9. 21. For she said within her self, If I may but touch the Hem of his Garment I shall be whole. And it followes, the Woman was made whole from that hour. The Faith of the poor Leper set Christ or p. 79work, Luke 17. 19. And Jesus said unto him, Thy faith hath made thee whole.

And likewise the Womans Faith (Luke 7. 48.) set Christ on work for the pardon of her sins; he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven thee. And (ver. 50.) Christ tells her, Thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace.

And likewise the Faith of blind Bartimeus (Mar. 10. 51, 52.) sets Christs Power and Pity on work, and obtained Healing. And the Faith of the two blind men in Matth. 9. 27, 28, 29, 30. Christ touched their eyes and said, According to your faith, so be it unto you. And their Eyes were opened.

O if you could but (according to these Examples) set Faith on work for the healing of your Souls, Conscience would be quiet. Thus bespeak and expostulate with thine own Conscience, and say, It is true (Conscience) I have sinned, and deserved to p. 80be reproached and condemned, but I fly to the Bloud of Christ for cleansing, and I apply that by Faith. Nay (saith Conscience) if thou fly to that City of Refuge, I can then no longer pursue after thee; thou art safe enough from me. If thou makest the Bloud of Christ thy Refuge, thou art then secured from all the Storms, and Terrors, and Reproaches of Conscience. If you would not have Conscience upbraid you, accuse and condemn you, set about the work of Repentance and Faith, and then whatsoever cause you have given Conscience to reproach you, it will reproach you no more, it will be quiet and at peace with you; always provided that you set about this work of Faith and Repentance seriously and in good earnest. Consider what hath been said, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.

FINIS.