A Heaven or Hell Upon Earth, Table of contents (4 of 6)

A Heaven or Hell Upon Earth · Table of contents (4 of 6)

p. 1504. The Spirits witneſs concerning our adoption, differs from the witneſs of our own Spirits, from the teſtimony of our own Conſciences. The Apoſtle ſpeaks very plainly of a twofold witneſs, that of Our Spirits and that of Gods Spirit, Rom 8. 16. The Spirit it ſelf beareth witneſs with out Spirits, that we are the children of God. This witneſs of the Spirit does not lye onelyonly in his declaring in the Scriptures what kind of Perſons are the children of God; but he alſo helps Believers to ſee that they are ſuch kind of perſons; and then enables them to draw the concluſion that they are Children, and Heirs; Heirs of God, and Joint-heirs with Chriſt unto the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance. Now the difference between the witneſſe of the Spirit, and that of Conſcience touching our adoption, is in theſe particulars,

1. The Spirits witneſs is more clear, Conſciences more conjectural. As we ſee things ten thouſand time more plainly by the Light of the Sun, than by a dim Lamp that burns by us; and yet by that Lamp we may ſee ſomething.

2. The Spirits witneſs cauſes greater Boldneſs and Confidence than that of Conſcience. When the Spirit of Adoption is ſent into the heart, it makes Believers to come with Boldneſs to the Throne of Grace; and to cry Abba Father, that is, Father Father: the word p. 151is doubled to ſhew with what confidence the Spirit makes it to be ſpoken, Gal. 4. 6. Then they draw nigh with high Hopes, and raiſed Expectations, that their Father will deal bountifully, give liberally, and though they open their mouths never ſo wide, that yet they ſhall be filled with his fulneſs.

3. The Spirits teſtimony is more firm, and not ſo eaſily queſtioned; that of Conſcience is more apt to be cavill'd at by Satan. If I ſee a thing plainly in the day time, I know I ſee it; and though many ſhould queſtion whether I ſaw or no, yet I make no queſtion: nay though ſome diſtracted perſons that are kept in darkneſs and chains, ſhould ſay they ſee when they don't, yet I know I ſee when I do. The Spirits teſtimony does make things thus clear; And the objections of the Accuſer of the Brethren, 'tis evident they are but cavils. Thus ſays the Apoſtle We have known and believed the love that God hath to us, 1 Joh. 4. 16. But the teſtimony of Conſcience Satan will be more bold to queſtion, and will ſtart an hundred things whereby a weaker Faith may be puzled, and the heart ſtill kept under doubts and fears.

4. The Spirits teſtimony produces joy, that of Conſcience at beſt onelyonly a calmneſs and tranquillity. I confeſſe the Apoſtle ſayes the teſtimony of Conſcience was his rejoycing, but you muſt know, that he had alſo received the witneſs and earneſt of the Spirit; ſo that he had more than Conſciences bare teſtimony. The joy that the Spirit creates by his aſſuring Believers of their adoption, is unſpeakable and full of glory. 'Tis ſuch as no Tongue can utter, and no Heart can conceive it but ſuch as have had a taſte and experience of it. 'Tis not meerly a negative thing, or freedom from trouble, p. 152but poſitive and carries with it ſuch a delight as is not to be found in the higheſt ſenſuality. The Malefactor is at peace when he receives a pardon; but if he be not only pardoned but Preferred, this cauſes joy. The Spirit lets the Soul ſee 'tis pardoned, and preferr'd to be a Child of God, an Heir of Glory, and gives a taſte how Gracious the Lord is, this cauſes not only peace but joy and triumph of Spirit in the God of Salvation.

I come now to the third thing I propoſed, to give you the reaſons why it ſhould be every ones great care to have good Conſcience.

1. We can have no Communion with God without a good Conſcience. unleſs our Hearts are ſprinkled from an evil Conſcience we cannot draw nigh to him, neither will he draw nigh to us: Though we ſay with never ſo great confidence that we have Fellowſhip with God, if Conſcience knows that we walk in darkneſſe, and we allow our ſelves in the works of darkneſs; the Holy Ghoſt gives us the lye to our face, and we do not the Truth, 1 John 1. 6. There cannot be a queſtion asked of greater importance than this, wherein does mans happineſſe lye? and the trueſt anſwer unto this queſtion is, Mans felicity does lye in Fellowſhip with God. Therefore the happineſſe of the triumphant Saints is ſo full becauſe they are admitted unto ſo near Communion with God. Therefore the Miſery of the damned is ſo great, becauſe they are baniſhed from the Lords preſence, and deſpair of ever coming neer to him, or enjoying of him. And therefore the happineſs of militant Saints is imperfect, becauſe the remainders of ſin in them do hinder them from enjoying ſo much of God as otherwiſe they might enjoy. But, where Conſcience is evil there is no enjoying of God p. 153at all: Where there is no true Holineſs, ſinners are without God in the World, they ſpend their Mony for that which is not Bread, and their labour for that which ſatisfies not, Iſa. 55. 2. They only have recourſe to broken Ciſterns that can hold no water; but they neglect, and by their iniquities are kept at a diſtance from the Fountain of living Waters. Thus that which is the Hell of Hell they undergo on Earth, and yet ſuch is their ſtupidneſs, they are little, if at all concerned.

2. Without a good Conſcience no ſervice that we perform can be acceptable. A bad Conſcience is like the dead Flie in the Apothecaries Oyntment, that ſpoils the whole. This was it that made the Lord to ſpeak thus to Iſrael of old, Iſa. 1. 11, 12, 13. To what purpoſe is the multitude of your ſacrifices unto me? I am full of Burnt-Offerings, and the fat of fed Beaſts, and I delight not in the Blood of Bullocks or of Lambs, or of He-Goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required at your hands, to tread my Courts? Bring no more vain Oblations, incenſe is an Abomination to me: the Sabbaths and calling of Aſſemblies I cannot away with: it is Iniquity even the ſolemn meeting. When ye ſpread forth your hands, I will hide mine Eyes from you: yea, when you make many Prayers I will not Hear. And the reaſon of all this was, becauſe their Conſciences were defiled with Blood, with injuſtice, with unmercifulneſs, with oppreſſion. Thus alſo Iſa. 66. 3. becauſe their Conſciences were defiled by chuſing their own way and their ſouls delighted in their abominations, the Lord ſays, He that kills an Oxe, is as if he ſlew a man; he that ſacrifices a Lamb, is as if he cut off a Dogs neck; he that offers an Oblation, as if he offered Swines Blood; he p. 154that burneth Incenſe as if he bleſſed an Idol. Two things are abſolutely neceſſary unto the acceptation of our ſervices, one is the Mediation of our Lord Jeſus, and therefore our ſacrifices, though never ſo ſpiritual, are ſaid to be acceptable through Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Pet. 2. 5. and the other, the cleanſing of Conſcience from all known and allowed ſin, for iniquity will ſeparate between us and our God, and make him hide his face from us.

3. Without a good Conſcience there can be no quiet or Peace but will prove exceedingly to our prejudice (p)(p)Malâ & tranquillâ conſcientiâ ſicut nihil pejus ita nihil i… foelicius, haec est illa quae nec Deum timet nec hominem reveretur. Bern. De Conſcien. cap. 3. pag. 1109.The mirth of diſtracted and phrantick perſons makes us ready to weep, becauſe we know how little reaſon there is for it; and thus unreaſonable is ſecurity and peace, where there is an evil Conſcience. Sin is ſuch a Maſter, as none of its Servants have cauſe to be very jocund. When Death and Hell, (which is the wages of ſin) is paid, then I am ſure 'twill be ſad day with ſinners, and all their jollity will be turned into the height of anguiſh and tribulation. Art thou without a good Conſcience, and yet art quiet? thy quietneſs is thy Diſeaſe. As there is a Natural Lethargy whereby Bodies ſleep unto natural Death, ſo there is a Spiritual Lethargy whereby Souls ſleep unto Eternal Death: and they wake not till the ſight of an angry God upon the Judgment-ſeat, and the feeling of the unquenchable flames of Hell awake them. He had a bad Conſcience that ſaid Soul take thine eaſe; and ſo had he, that fared ſumptuouſly every day, but their eaſe did them harm, and was a means to bring p. 155them unto theſe torments where no eaſe is to be looked for: Ah woe unto ſinners that are at eaſe! the eaſe of the ſimple does ſlay them, and the proſperity of Fools deſtroyes them, Prov. 1. 32.

4. Without a good Conſcience 'tis impoſſible that we ſhould be truly good our ſelves, If Conſcience be bad, all things elſe within us are likely to be a great deal worſe. If this which ſhould reſtrain from ſin connive at ſin, how will iniquity abound! if this which ſhould be urging unto duty does not it ſelf do its Duty, how will duty be caſt off! there will quickly be a ſaying unto God depart from us for we deſire not the knowledge of thy wayes; what is the Almighty that we ſhould ſerve him? Job 21. 14, 15. To ſay that a man has no Conſcience, is as much as to ſay that a man has no goodneſs. When a ſinner is indeed turned unto God, one of the firſt things that is wrought upon in him is his Conſcience; and the more Holy he is, ſtill his Conſcience does become more Pure, and wakeful, and tender. When a ſinner that is almoſt perſwaded to be a Chriſtian, falls back again, and becomes as vile, nay, viler than ever; his Conſcience rings him many a ſad peal to prevent his relapſe, and 'tis ſometimes a great while before his Conſcience can be charmed. But if once this is laid into a Dead ſleep, the luſts of the Heart will grow impetuous and ſtrong; the affections will be vile, and at length there may be a running out to all exceſſe of Riot in the Converſation. Certainly if Conſcience be bad the whole man is defiled; if Conſcience does exerciſe no Authority for God, ſinners will fulfill the deſires of the Fleſh and of the Mind, and will walk according to the courſe of this World, according to the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Spirit which worketh in the Children of Diſobedience.

p. 1565. Without a good Conſcience, as nothing is good in us, ſo nothing is good or pure to us. The Apoſtlet ells us that unto the pure all things are pure, but to them whoſe Minds & Conſciences are defiled there is nothing pure, Tit. 1. 15. A bad Conſcience defiles every thing. A man that is Conſcious to himſelf of loved and regining ſin, whatever Creatures he uſes, he abuſes; his Food, his Eſtate, his Health, his Strength are all impure to him, becauſe his Corruptions are ſerved with all theſe, his bleſſings are turned into Curſes becauſe he makes a ſinful and Curſed uſe of them. Nay not only things ſecular, but alſo things ſacred, even the Ordinances of God, are prophaned and polluted by an evil Conſcience, Prayer is turned into an Abomination, and the Lord calls it Howling, Hoſ. 7. 14. They have not cryed unto me with their Hearts when they howled upon their beds. The word becomes a ſavour of Death unto Death, the Eyes being ſhut, and the Ears cloſed, and the Heart being more hardened under it. Receiving the Lords Supper is turned into a being guilty of the Body & blood of the Lord and Eating and Drinking Damnation to our ſelves, 1 Cor. 11. Thus a bad Conſcience which ſuffers ſin to rule without any conſiderable diſturbance, ſpoyls all we do, turns good into Evil; and the better things are in themſelves makes them ſo much the worſe to us.(q)(q)As dirty hands foul all they touch, And thoſe things moſt, which are moſt pure and fine: So our clay-hearts, ev'n when we crouch To ſing thy praiſes, make them leſs divine. Yet either this, Or none thy portion is. Herb. Miſery, p. 93.

p. 1576. Till Conſcience be good how extreamly dangerous is our Eſtate? We are the Children of Wrath, the Sons of Death, Condemned already, not ſure to be a day or hour out of that place of Torment, where the Worm does not dye, and the Fire none can quench. When the Lord ſpeaks to the Ungodly, his mouth is full of threatnings, his words are woes and curſes, and not one ſyllable of Encouragement or hope does he give them as long as they are reſolved to continue in their wickedneſs. Indeed, if they are willing to have their Conſciences and Converſations cleanſed, then he declares himſelf inclined to Mercy, and to make them white as Wool or Snow, though before red like Scarlet, or like Crimſon, Iſa. 1. 16. 18. But as long as Conſcience is ſecure, and the ſinner is reſolved and obſtinate, alas! God is angry with him every day, the Vial is continually filling fuller, and more wrath is treaſured up againſt the day of wrath. If the ſinner turn not, the Lord hath whet his Sword, he hath bent his Bow, and made it ready; and who knows how ſoon the Arrow may be ſhot, that may diſpatch the ſinner in the twinkling of an Eye, and both kill and damn together.

7. If Conſcience be not good, how great and intolerable may be the torture of it when it is awakened! Solomon tells us, That the Spirit of a Man may ſuſtain his Infirmities, but a wounded Spirit who can bear? Theſe wounds are made by ſin, as the Meritorious cauſ;e and by the hand of God himſelf, as an Holy, Righteous, Dreadful, Sin-revenging Majeſty. The buffetings of Satan indeed are ſometimes very troubleſome and terrible; but what are the buffetings of a Creature, if compared with the blows and wounds of Him that is Almighty. When God ſhall ſay to a ſinful ſoul, Behold, p. 158I am againſt thee, Ezek. 5. 8. When God ſhall run upon a Tranſgreſſor as a Giant, and break him with breach upon breach, ſurely his hands will not be ſtrong, his heart will not be able to endure. 'Twas a ſaying of Luther, (q)(q)Animus malè ſibi conſcius potiùs in mille rerum formas verteretur, ac citiùs per ſaxa, per ignes, per ahaeneos montes, denique ad Diabolum ipſum ferretur; quam ad Deum accederet. Luther. Tom. 1. In Geneſ. c. 43.Gen 43That an evil Conſcience being indeed wounded, had rather be turned into a thouſand forms, had rather venture upon Rocks, and Flames, & Mountains of braſs; nay, upon the Devil himſelf, than have to do with God. The Deſign of which paſſage is, to ſhew how terrible the Lord is unto a guilty and enraged Conſcience. Such are ſaid to be Drunken, but not with Wine, unleſs it be the Wine of Aſtoniſhment: and they are compared to a wild Bull in a Net, being full of the Fury of the Lord, and the Rebuke of God, Iſa. 50. 20, 21.

If you look into Scripture, you may find the Saints themſelves complaining of theſe wounds in their Conſciences. Liſten to Job, Chap. 6. 2, 3, 4. O that my grief were throughly weighed, and my Calamity laid in the Balances together: For now it would be heavier th… the ſand of the Sea; therefore my words are ſwallowed up, for the Arrows of the Almighty are within me, the Poyſon whereof drinketh up my ſpirit, the terrors of God do ſet themſelves in array againſt me. The Pſalmiſt ſpeaks to the ſame purpoſe, Pſal. 88. 14, 15, 16. Lord, why caſteſt thou off my ſoul, why hidest thou thy Face from me? I am Afflicted and ready to die from my youth up, while I ſuffer thy terrors I am diſtracted, thy fierce wrath goeth over me, thy terrors have cut me off. And if Saints have drank ſo deep of this Cup of Trembling, p. 159oh how bitter may it be to ſinners! (r)(r)Est intus animi vigor, Arce conditus abditâ. Haec venena potentius Detrahunt hominem ſibi Dira, quae penitus meant, Nec nocentia corpori Mentis vulnere ſaeviunt. Boetius. l. 4. Met. 3. pag. mihi. 122.As therefore you would avoid the Lords contending with you, which will make your ſpirits fail before him, it ſhould be your care to have a good Conſcience.

8. A good Conſcience, as it will make thoſe that have it to be better and better themſelves, ſo it will render them exceedingly beneficial, and make them bleſſings unto others. A good Conſcience, like Rebecca of old, is weary of the Daughters of Heth, and is not ſatisfied unleſs the Fleſh be (like the houſe of Saul) growing weaker and weaker, and the Spirit be (like the houſe of David) growing ſtronger and ſtronger. Conſcience puts the Saints upon following on to know the Lord, and following harder after him; and though the leaſt Grace deſerve Infinite and Eternal thanks, and Conſcience urges unto praiſe, yet withall it adds, that the higheſt meaſures of Holineſs are not to be reſted in, but ſtill there muſt be a growing up into Chriſt in all things, untill we arrive unto a perfect ſtature in his Kingdom.

A good Conſcience will alſo make us publick Bleſſings unto others. (s)(s)Vir bonus eſt commune bonum.It conſiders we are not p. 160Born, or New-born onelyonly for our ſelves. It will make us beneficial to the Church, and to the World.

1. To the Church. If there were more of Conſcience it would hinder Animoſities, Contentions, Diviſions, Declinings, the decay of Love, and of the Power of Godlineſs. Conſcience is for Peace and Unity, and for walking as Saints and Brethren. Mens Paſſions and Intereſts put them upon thoſe courſes that tend to Dividing and Deſtroying the Church of Chriſt.

2. To the World. A good Conſcience will make us to put on Bowels, and to compaſſionate Mankind; 'twill hinder us from Offending them, and hardening them againſt Religion; 'twill make us pray for, and endeavour the gaining and ſaving of them. It will cauſe our Light ſo to ſhine before Men, that they ſeeing our good Works, may Glorifie our Father which is in Heaven; and at length they may be brought to deſire to become themſelves of the Number of his Children. I have done with the Reaſons of the Doctrine. I come now to the Application.

ƲSE 1. Shall be of Reproof. If it ſhould be the care of all to have a good Conſcience, alas, whoſe heart may not ſmite him? who has not Reaſon to acknowledge that a ſharp Reproof is but juſtly due? Conſcience in theſe laſt and worſt days ſeems to have left the Earth; and truly, till there are better Conſciences, there may not be better days; or if there ſhould be better times, they would but prove a Judgment; For if Mens Hearts are ſtupid under Adverſity, Proſperity is not likely to awaken them. The Lord looks down from Heaven upon the Children of p. 161Men, to ſee if there be any that do underſtand and ſeek him, Pſal. 14. 2. But what kind of Hearts and Conſciencs have the moſt of Men! God is ſurely Angry, and his Meſſengers are to be Reprovers, and they muſt Reprove ſharply, that they may touch the Conſcience to the quick. And who knows but that the word in their mouths may be quick and powerful, ſharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing, even to dividing aſunder of the Soul and Spirit, of the Joynts and Marrow, and may be a diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12.

My Reproof I ſhall Direct unto ſeveral ſorts of Perſons.

1. They are to be Reproved, whoſe Conſciences are Ignorant. They are Ignorant of God, and Ignorant of themſelves, and which is worſe, they care to know neither. Though God be the moſt Excellent Object that can be known, though without Knowing him there can be no enjoying him, though the knowledge of God be Transforming, and change us into his Image and Likeneſs; yet how many are willingly Ignorant! they care not to know him, nor his will, nor what he is able to do, either for them or againſt them. There is a black veil upon their hearts, ſo that they ſee not their Happineſs, nor their Miſery. This makes them unconcernedly, and without fear to turn their backs upon Chriſt and Heaven, and to make great ſpeed after Satan in thoſe ways that lead unto utter perdition.

They are miſerably unacquainted with themſelves, they ſee not in what ſtate they are, they know not whither they are going. They deſpiſe their own ways, that is, they take no more Notice of their own doings, than we do of thoſe whom we moſt of all contemn; p. 162And as for their hearts they are Terra incognita, like Land never yet Diſcovered. They may truly ſay that their Hearts were born with them, that the Hearts have been bred up with them, and that they have carried their Hearts up and down with them at their days, and yet they and their Hearts are utterly unacquainted. Oh that theſe dark Conſciences would but conſider theſe three things.

1. How much evil there is in Ignorance. Let Papiſts ſay, That 'tis the Mother of Devotion, the Scripture ſpeaks otherwiſe, That 'tis the Parent of Wickedneſs. The Prophet having ſaid, there was no knowledge of God in the Land, preſently adds, by ſwearing, and lying, and killing, and ſtealing, and committing Adultery, they break out, and Blood toucheth Blood, Hoſ. 4. 1, 2. intimating, that Ignorance of God was the cauſe of all the other abominations. So Jer. 9. 2, 3. They be all Adulterers, an Aſſembly of Treacherous Men; they bend their Tongue like their Bow for lies, but they are not valiant for the Truth, and they proceed from evil to evil. Now, from whence is all this? They know not me, ſaith the Lord. Certainly the Sons of Men are alienated from the Life of God, and encouraged in wickedneſs through the Ignorance that is in them. VVhen Conſcience is Blind, what is there to lay reſtraint upon Corrupted Nature? And if there be no reſtraint, the deſperate Corruption of it will quickly appear, and wickedneſs will be done with greedineſs, Eph. 4. 18, 19.

2. How inexcuſable is this Ignorance, conſidering the Light that ſhines, and the means of Knowledge. The Advantage of the Jews was great in that the Oracles of God were committed to them, Rom. 3. 1, 2. herein p. 163they were priviledged above the other Nations, that the Lord had given his VVord unto them. But we have an Advantage above the Jews, becauſe the Revelation of the Lords VVill, and of his Glory is much clearer under the New Teſtament than it was under the Old. How fully hath God ſpoken to us in theſe laſt days by his Son! Life and Immortality are brought to light by the Goſpel, Death and Deſtruction are diſcovered. Chriſt Crucified is Preached, who is the Lord of Life and Glory, and a Saviour from Deſtruction. Oh, how are they without Apology, who ſhut their Eyes againſt ſo glorious a Light, and will not know thoſe things which are of ſo high concernment to themſelves! Oh, you dark and heedleſs Souls, you may be wept over, as Chriſt did over Jeruſalem, becauſe you will not know, in this your day, the things that belong to your Peace, though quickly, in a way of Judgment, they may be hid from your eyes, Luke 19. 41, 42.

3. This Ignorance, as light as you make of it, is deſtructive. None ever did hit upon the way to Life before they were aware: The blind will never enter in at the ſtraight Gate, but muſt needs go on in that broad Road that leads to Death and Hell. Solomon ſpeaks expreſly, Prov. 29. 18. Where there is no Viſion the People periſh. You read alſo, Hoſ. 4. 6. My People are deſtroyed for lack of Knowledge. VVhen the Lord does ſave any, he gives them an Heart to know himſelf and his Son Chriſt Jeſus; but if the Goſpel be hid, 'tis hid to them that are loſt, 2 Cor. 4. 3.

I know many Ignorant ſinners look upon their Ignorance as their excuſe for their wickedneſs; but how can Ignorance excuſe them, ſince they are glad of their Ignorance, are not deſirous to know; nay, hate the p. 164Light, which might diſcover their evil deeds? VV… are told, that this is the Condemnation, that is, t… cauſe of ſore Condemnation, that Light is come in the World, and Men love Darkneſs rather than Light becauſe their Deeds are evil, John 3. 19. 'Tis a common thing for Ignorant ones to have a Blind and preſumptuous truſt and confidence in God, and nothing more uſual in their mouths than this: He that ma… us, will ſave us. But let ſuch hearken to the Prophet … tremble, Iſa. 27. 11. It is a People of no underſtanding, therefore he that made them will not have Me…y on them, and he that formed them will ſhew them … Favour.

2. They are to be Reproved, whoſe Conſciences are large, and can ſwallow almoſt any thing. Such … ſuck in with greedineſs the looſeſt Principles; and how are they pleaſed with an Argument craftily managed by a Profane Wit, againſt that preciſeneſs which the Goſpel does require! How do they grudge their time and pains to God, and to their Souls! But to the World, and to their Luſts they are exceeding Liberal▪ Theſe large Conſciences do ſtretch Chriſtian Liberty even to a moſt ſinful Licentiouſneſs. Quod libet id … cet. They will plead for any thing to be Lawful, which they like, though never ſo much to be condemned Some will plead for ſports upon the Lords day, other for vain and fooliſh talking and jeſting, others for Oficious lying, others for perjury to ſave a mans ſ… from damage. This largeneſs of Conſcience, how largely has it ſpread it ſelf! But the larger Conſcience is, the narrower will be our Obedience; the leſs … be done for God, and more againſt him; the leſs … be done in Order to Salvation, and more towards me… p. 165eternal deſtruction. I would here propoſe theſe three things unto them whoſe Conſciences are of ſo great a latitude.

1. This largeneſs of Conſcience argues great contempt of God and of his Will; there is not a ſtanding in aw of him and of his word. His word is very ſtrict, his commands holy, and requires that we ſhould walk foreign exactly and circumſpectly, this is to be wiſe; to do otherwiſe is to diſcover the moſt dangerous folly. Eph. 5. 15. What manner of perſons, ſayes the Apoſtle, ought ye to be, in all holy Converſation and Godlineſs! 2 Pet. 3. 11. But notwithſtanding all this, large conſciences live at random, as if preciſeneſs were more ado than needs; and as if the Lord did but jeſt in his Holy Precepts, and thoſe terrible threats which back them; but they to their coſt ſhall find and feel he is in good earneſt.

2. This largeneſs of Conſcience is a ſhrewd ſign that ſinners are in the broad way. They that can ſwallow camels, 'tis eaſier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for them to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Scribes and Phariſees of old, did omit the weightier matters of the Law, Judgement, Mercy and Faith; But Chriſt does denounce a wo unto them, Mat. 23. 23. Largeneſs of Conſcience diſcovers a great careleſsneſs of the ſoul, and too great an indifferency what becomes of it for ever: And what ſouls are likely to miſcarry if ſuch be not? We muſt work out our Salvation with fear and trembling if we will be ſaved.

p. 1663. The larger Conſcience is, and the more is ſwalowed at preſent; the greater hereafter will the account be. We are all Stewards, which muſt ſhortly give an account of our ſtewardſhip: and though a… preſent ſome, like the ſteward in the Goſpel, many take their Bills, and write Fourſcore, or Fifty for an Hundred; Yet our Lord who will call us to an Account, will be exact in reckoning, and cannot be deceived by us. His judgement is according to Truth, Rom. 2. 2. And oh how many things will he condemn at the laſt day, which ſinners defend at preſent! 'Twill be indeed a day of Light and Manifeſtation, both of things and perſons. Many perſons that went for Saints, will then be unmasked and found Hypocrites, and have their ſad portion with the Hypocrites; And many things that where counted no ſins, will be found great ſins, and the lighter they were made of, the more heavy and damnable they will prove unto the ſinner. A large Conſcience therefore take heed of. Attend unto the Law and to the Teſtimony, which does diſcover evil; and be afraid of every evil way.

3. They are to be reproved whoſe Conſciences are at peace, but that peace has no ſolid and good foundation. The moſt of ſinners in the world, have this falſe peace in their own Spirits; ſometimes they are a little awakened, but are quickly huſhed aſleep again, by that evil One who does deſtroy ſouls by thouſands, and by millions, by carnal ſecurity. Tranſgreſſors when firſt they venture upon ſin, their Conſciences recoyl upon them; but by degrees they grow ſenſeleſſe: Cuſtom in ſin, p. 167and Quiet in ſin, do go commonly together. (t)(t)Primùm quando homo peccat videtur ei importabile, proceſſu temporis grave videtur: paulo poſt & leve judicat, & cùm crebris ictibus verberetur, vulnera non ſentit, verbera non attendit. In brevi vero temporis ſpacio, non ſolùm non ſentit, ſed & placet, & dulce fit quod amarum erat, & aſperum vertitur in ſuave. Ad extremum non potest avelli, quia conſuetudo vertitur in naturam; & quod priùs ad faciendum erat impoſſibile jam impoſſibile est ad continendum. Bernard, De Conſc. c. 3. pag. 1109.One of the Fathers does excellently deſcribe, how the ungodly arrive unto this falſe peace. At firſt, ſayes he, ſin does ſeem intolerable, afterwards, onelyonly heavy, after that being frequently given way to, and Conſcience ſtunned by many wounds; makes no great matter of them: in proceſs of time, ſin is not burthenſome at all but pleaſant; at laſt 'tis turned into a ſecond nature; and the ſinner can no more be drawn from it, than the Ethiopian can change his skin, or the Leopard his ſpots, Jer. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his ſpots? then may ye alſo do good that are accuſtomed to do evil.

A great many not onelyonly Profane, but Profeſſors, are concerned in this reproof; and have no better than a falſe peace of Conſcience. Here therefore I am to ſhew what that peace of Conſcience is, which is falſe; and alſo how unreaſonable it is, to give entertainment to it. A falſe peace of Conſcience I ſhall deſcribe to you in theſe particulars:

1. That peace of Conſcience is falſe where Sin and Miſery were never ſeen. They who never perceived any harm in ſin, and wonder why the Lord in his word does ſpeak ſo much againſt it, and why his Miniſters p. 168cannot let men quietly alone in the commiſſion of it; who never lookt ſo far as to behold that eternal death and deſtruction that is threatned to be brought upon the workers of iniquity; theſe are at peace becauſe they do not apprehend what reaſon they have to be troubled: there is ſufficient cauſe of grief, and fear, and horrour, onelyonly they want an eye to ſee it, ſo as to be indeed affected. There are ſome that are ſuch fools, as to make a mock of ſin; and count it a paſtime to do wickedly. Theſe do no more underſtand what ſin is, nor the Hell which the Holy God has entail'd upon it, than the mad-man underſtands what he does when he caſts Fire-brands, and Arrows, and Death, and ſaith am I not in ſport, Prov. 26. 18. Others though far from being indeed juſtified, think they are righteous; though ſick after a deadly manner, yet imagine they are whole, and undervalue the great Phyſitian. Both theſe ſort of Perſons have peace, but 'tis without ground, for the former do groſly miſtake ſin, and the later do as groſly miſtake themſelves.

2. That peace of Conſcience is falſe, where the ſtrong man armed keeps poſſeſſion: where Satan works and rules without reſiſtance. Our Lord ſayes When the ſtrong man armed keepeth his Palace, his goods are in peace, Luk. 11. 21. By the ſtrong man we are to underſtand the Devil; by his Palace we are to underſtand the ſinners heart; becauſe as a King reigns and commands all, (eſpecially in his Palace) ſo the Devil bears ſway in the hearts of the ungodly. And a falſe peace and quiet, is the great means whereby the Devils Rule and Government is upheld. If you are careleſs and unconcerned whom you are led by, 'tis certain that the Devil leads you; for none are led by the Spirit p. 169of God, without great ſollicitouſneſs, and fear of being miſguided; and ſtrong cryes that they may be guided by his counſel unto his Kingdom and Glory. Satan is called the Prince of the Power of the Air, the Spirit which worketh in the Children of Diſobedience. If you make nothing of diſobeying the Word of God, if you walk according to the courſe of this world, and fulfill the deſires of the fleſh, and the carnal mind, Eph. 2. 2, 3. 'tis a ſign, that Satan does command you, and your peace is far from being true.

3. That peace of Conſcience is falſe, where there is a walking after the imagination of the evil heart. Thoſe words do ſound like Thunder, Dreadfully rattling in the air; Deut. 29. 19, 20. And it come to paſs when he heareth the words of this curſe, that he bleſs himſelf in his heart ſaying, I ſhall have peace though I walk in the imagination of mine heart. The Lord will not ſpare him, but then the anger of the Lord, and his jealouſie, ſhall ſmoake againſt that man; and all the Curſes that are written in this Book ſhall lye upon him, and the Lord ſhall blot out his name from under Heaven. The heart of man is fooliſh, deceitful, wicked, deſperately wicked; 'tis a very ſore judgment to be given up to our own hearts luſts, and to be ſuffered to walk after our own counſels. Sinners need not other enemies, they are forward enough to go aſtray of their own accord, and to ruine themſelves; let them follow their own hearts, and they will infallibly come to Hell in the concluſion. If any therefore do walk in the way of their hearts, and pleaſe and gratifie their own ſinfull affections, and ſay they ſhall have peace; they ſpeak without book, without Gods book I am ſure.

p. 1704. That peace of Conſcience is falſe, where the ſoul is intoxicated with ſenſuall Delights and Pleaſures. Thus the rich man was at peace, whoſe ground brought forth plentifully, who reſolved to pull down his barns and to build greater, that he might beſtow all his Fruits and his Goods: and ſince there were Goods ſufficient for many years; he was clearly for taking his Eaſe, for Eating and Drinking and making merry, Luk. 12. 16.—19. One great cauſe of Sodoms ſecurity, was, their giving themſelves over unto ſenſuallity: Whoredom and Gluttony and Drunkenneſs, do take away the heart; ſuch conſider no more than if they were brutes, nay, they come ſhort of brutes, even the moſt ſtupid of them. Iſa. 1. 3. The Ox knoweth his Owner, and the Aſs his Maſters Crib; but Iſrael doth not know, my People doth not conſider. Senſual Pleaſures, as alſo Worldly cares, do overcharge the heart, ſo that there is no trouble or concernedneſs about eternity; and while they dream not of any ſuch thing, the day of the Lord does come on them like a ſnare. Luk. 21. 34, 35. And take heed to your ſelves, leſt at any time your hearts be overcharged with ſurfetting and drunkenneſs and cares of this Life, and ſo that day come upon you unawares; for as a ſnare ſhall it come upon all them that dwell on the face of the whole Earth.

5. That peace of Conſcience is falſe which is built upon preſent diſpenſations of Providence. Sinners are apt to argue wrong, both from proſperity and from adverſity, that their ſtate is good, and ſo put a cheat upon their own Souls. Some are perſwaded that becauſe the Lord loads them with external bleſſings, this is a certain ſign of his love. But the Holy Ghoſt informs us, that the ungodly proſper in the World, and increaſe in p. 171Riches, that they are not in trouble like other men, that they have more than Heart could wiſh, Pſal. 73. 12. Daniel tells us, that even Kingdoms are given to the baſest of men, Dan. 4. 17. Luther ſaid concerning the (u)(u)Turcicum imperium quantum eſt, nihil eſt niſi panis mica quam dives pater familias projicit canibus. Luther. Tom. 2. in Gen. in cap. 21.Turkiſh Empire that it was but a morſel caſt unto a Dog. And if whole Kingdoms are given to the ungodly, who can argue himſelf a Saint, and loved of God, from his worldly enjoyments? 'tis not the having of the World, but ſitting looſe from it, looking upon our ſelves as Strangers and Pilgrims in it, and improving it for God, that will argue we are indeed his Children.

On the other ſide ſome are perſwaded, becauſe afflicted at preſent, that it will be well with them in the Life to come. But wicked men may alſo be afflicted. God does diſtribute ſorrows to them in his Anger, ſo that they are as ſtubble before the Wind, and as chaffe which the ſtorm carrieth away, Job 21. 17, 18. 'Tis not then our being corrected that will prove us Children but our receiving of Correction and being humbled and reformed by it; though never ſo often in the furnace, if we are not at all Refined we are but Reprobate Silver.

6. That Peace of Conſcience is falſe which is built upon External profeſſion and Priviledges. Thus of old many becauſe they were called Jews, did reſt in the Law & made their boaſt of God, though at the ſame time they did break the Law, and diſhonoured God by their preſumptuous Tranſgreſſions, Rom. 2. 17. 23. Many p. 172now a dayes are called Chriſtians, and beguile themſelves with an empty name. It will not advantage any to name the name of Chriſt, if they will not depart from iniquity; to call him Lord, Lord, if they are reſolved ſtill to rebell againſt him. They had great Peace and confidence, who ſaid Lord, Lord, we have Eat and Drunk in thy preſence, and thou hast taught in our Streets. And yet both their peace and confidence were without ground, the door is ſhut againſt them, they are excluded from the Kingdom; for, they were notwithſtanding all their Profeſſion, workers of iniquity, Luke 13. 26, 27. By ſuch a profeſſion iniquity has the greater aggravation, (w) he is moſt inexcuſably ungodly, who has moſt of the form, but nothing of the Power of Godlineſs.

7. That peace of Conſcience is falſe, that is built upon External Righteouſneſſe, and eſcaping the more groſſe pollutions of the World. The Apoſtle Paul before his Converſion, was, touching the Righteouſneſs of the Law blameleſs, Phil. 3. 6. that is, his Converſation was ſo agreeable to the letter of the Law, and ſo free from any foul and ſcandalous ſin, that men could not blame him. But though he was thus blameleſs, yet he was graceleſs; and though he thought himſelf to be alive, and his ſtate to be good and ſafe, yet he was deceived, as he found afterwards. That Phariſee had a falſe peace, who ſaid, God I thank thee, I am not as other p. 173**Nos vero quid reſpondere pro nobis poſſumus? tenemus Symbolum & evertimus confitemur munus ſalutis pariter & negamus. Ac per hoc ubi est Christianit as noſtra, qui ad hoc tantummodo, Sacramentum ſalutis accipimus, ut majore poſtea praevaricationis ſcelere pecc… mus? Salvian. De Gub. Dei. l. 5. pag. mihi, 195,men are, Extortioners, unjuſt, Adulterers, or even as this Publican. I faſt twice in the week, and give Tithes of all that I poſſeſs, Luke 18. 11. but all this was inſufficient to prove him juſtified.

There were two great faults in the Righteouſneſs of the Phariſees, and of all thoſe who reſemble them. One is that their Righteouſneſs was only external, ſo their lives were but blameleſſe, they minded not what luſts reigned in their Hearts. The other is, that their Righteouſneſs was truſted, in as that which was ſufficient to commend them unto God, whereupon they ſlighted the ſufferings and ſatisfaction of Chriſt. 'Tis unreaſonable for any to be at peace who go no further than a Phariſee, (if they go quite ſo far;) for our Lord ſpeaks expreſſely, Mat. 5. 20. Except your Righteouſneſs exceed the Righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſees, ye ſhall in no caſe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

8. That peace of Conſcience is falſe, that is founded upon ſome lazy wiſhes after Grace and Holineſſe. There may be in unregenerate Hearts, eſpecially at ſom times, ſome pangs of deſire and inclinations to that which is good, but their deſires to continue bad, are ſtronger and do bear down all their inclinations to good which are much more feeble. Agrippa cryed out to Paul before a great multitude, and before Feſtus who a little before had charged both Paul, and conſequently Chriſtianity it ſelf with madneſs. Almoſt thou perſwadeſt me to be a Chriſtian, Act. 26. 28. Here was an inclinableneſs to Religion, but 'twas born down by a ſtronger propenſion to Worldly greatneſs and Pleaſures. A Woman may have ſome kind of good will, and Affection for a Perſon, and yet when it comes to the upſhot, refuſe to have him for an Husband; ſo p. 174ſinners may have ſome fluttering good thoughts and wiſhes for Chriſt and Grace, and yet utterly refuſe to give themſelves wholly to the Lord Jeſus, or to be indeed and throughout ſanctified.

Oh how many that ſay they deſire after Grace, and to be rid of ſin, are deceived in and by themſelves! they know not what they ſay, nor whereof they affirm. Sin in the general they deſire to be freed from, but come to particular ſins which are for their profit, for their credit among carnal men, for their eaſe and pleaſure, theſe they won't let go. Not conſidering who Chriſt is, they are inclined to him; but when they are told, that as he is a Redeemer, ſo a Ruler, and that he muſt bring their very Thoughts and Affections into captivity and obedience, that they muſt ſubmit to the holieſt Commands, and not be aſhamed or afraid to confeſſe Him, though it coſt them never ſo dear. Here they make a demurr, & then have no real mind to be his Diſciples. Oh deceive not your ſelves with lazy deſires after Holineſs, where there is a more vehement and fixed deſire to wallow ſtill in your filthyneſs and pollutions.

9. That peace of Conſcience is falſe which is founded upon ſome confuſed and general apprehenſions of the mercy of God in Chriſt; but this uſe onelyonly is made of this mercy, encouragement is taken from it to continue in ſin. 'Tis the commoneſt thing in the World for ſinners to gagg their Conſciences with the mercy of God and the Death of Chriſt. They have ſinned, but God is Merciful, and Chriſt has dyed for ſinners, even for the chief of them. And upon this they quiet themſelvs; they uſe theſe Truths as charms to caſt Conſcience into a ſleep, that it may not be diſturbed it ſelf, nor diſturb them. But ſuch would do well to conſider, that though the Scripture ſpeak glorious things of Divine p. 175Grace and Mercy; yet there is not in the whole Book of God one promiſe of Mercy made to ſinners who are Reſolved to go on ſtill in their wickedneſs. The Lord will not ſave the ungodly in their ſins, but from their ſins; and if they will not be ſaved from Sin, they ſhall not be delivered from Wrath.

Where God does proclaim his Name: The Lord Merciful and Gracious, long-ſuffering, abundant in loving kindneſs, goodneſs and truth, forgiving Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion, and Sin, keeping Mercy for thouſands, to rap off the fingers of preſumptuous Souls from catching hold of what is not their Portion; 'tis added, and that will by no means clear the guilty, Exod. 34. 6, 7. Guilty does not Relate unto paſt Guilt, for that is ſuppoſed in that expreſſion, Forgiving Iniquity, Tranſgreſſion, and Sin. But by Guilty we are to underſtand them who are Reſolved to Contract freſh guilt by an Obſtinate continuance in evil doing; while they are of this mind, they have nothing to do with Mercy and Chriſt, for they prefer their Luſts before both, and ſo are unlikely to be the better for either hereafter; ſince becauſe of both they preſume to grow worſe and worſe at preſent.

10. That Peace of Conſcience is falſe, where the Sinners heart is afraid of a ſearching Miniſtry. 'Tis ſaid concerning the Prophet Amos, that the Land was not able to bear his words, Amos 7. 10. Which Argued, though Iſrael was ſecure, yet their ſecurity was Carnal and groundleſs. Sincerity loves plain dealing, but Falſhood is afraid of it. If you cannot endure theſe Preachers that Rebuke ſharply, that apply home, that threaten terribly, that warn faithfully, that examine and try impartially; 'tis a ſign your Peace is Founded upon the Sand, and quickly your Building will be overthrown. p. 176(x)(x)Man cannot ſerve thee, let him go, And ſerve the ſwine, there there is his delight, He doth not like this Vertue, no; Give him his dirt to wallow in all night: Theſe Preachers make His head to ſhoot and ake. Herbert, p. 93.If thoſe Preachers are moſt acceptable, that never come within a Mile of your Conſciences but leave you aſleep as they found you, how certain is it that the Blind lead the Blind, and though they go jolly together, yet they are going towards perdition. 'Tis a ſtartling place, Jer. 5. 30, 31. A wonderful and an horrible thing is committed in the Land: why, what's the Matter? The Prophets Propheſie falſly, and my People love to have it ſo. I muſt add alſo, that though you do attend upon the moſt awakening Miniſtry, if you pleaſe your ſelves with giving a bare attendance, and with countenancing the ſtricteſt ways; but in the mean while you apply Truths to others, this concerns ſuch and ſuch, but take no notice how you are concerned your ſelves; let me tell you plainly, that your Peace is not right, but a moſt dangerous ſtupidity.

Thus have I deſcribed and Diſcovered what is a falſe Peace of Conſcience. In the next place I am to ſhew you how unreaſonable 'tis to give Entertainment unto ſuch a kind of Peace.

1. Conſcience is at Peace, but God ſpeaks trouble. When ſinners bleſs themſelves God curſes them; when they promiſe much good to themſelves, God threatens ten thouſand times more evil. The Pſalmiſt tells us, that the Reaſon why many ungodly ones are ſecure, is, p. 177becauſe they think God to be altogether ſuch an one as themſelves, Pſal. 50. 21. They ſee no evil in ſin, and they think the Lord ſees none neither; they love ſin, and they think God does not ſo much hate it, or at leaſt, that he will connive at their wickedneſs. Can there be a more groſs miſtake? And how unreaſonable is that Peace which is grounded upon ſuch a miſtake! No, ſecure Soul, know, God hates ſin infinitely more than thou canſt love it; and though thou flatter thy ſelf in thy own eyes for the preſent, He will Reprove thee, and ſet thy ſins in Order before thee. Oh now conſider this, ye that forget God, leſt he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. All thy Bleſſing of thy ſelf cannot make thee Bleſſed; all thy promiſes to thy ſelf are vain, for thou canſt not perform one of them. But the Lord both can and will fulfill his threatnings, and cauſe the curſe denounced to overtake thee.

2. As long as a falſe Peace does laſt, Satan is unlikely to be caſt out. Awakened and troubled Souls are afraid of being under his Power, and in time look after Deliverance; but they that are ſecure, will ſwallow his Baits, and follow this Enemy as long as he Sails with the ſtream of Corrupted Nature, and tempts them to that which their own wicked hearts delight in. And is it not ſad to be in poſſeſſion, and at the Command of ſo Cruel an Enemy? A Believers Heart is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, but the Heart of a wicked Man is the hole of the Old Serpent. Oh the danger that ſuch are in to be ſtung to death, and deſtroyed every moment. The Jews did boulſter up themſelves with this, That they were Abraham's Seed, and they were fooliſhly confident that God was their Father: But Chriſt ſpeaks plainly, Ye are of your Father the Devil, and the Luſts of your Father ye will do, John p. 1788. 44. The Devil is a Father to all preſumptuous ſouls, they do his Will, and will be his Prey.

3. This falſe Peace is very provoking, and makes the breach between God and the Sinner ſtill wider. Barely to ſin does not ſo much incenſe, as to make Light of it, and not to be troubled after ſin has been committed. The Apoſtle tells us, that mens hardneſs and impenitency, cauſes them to treaſure up unto themſelves wrath againſt the day of wrath, and the Revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God, Rom. 2. 5. If a Servant commit a fault, and afterwards laugh in his Maſters Face, this is more inſufferable than the fault it ſelf. Thou that canſt forget God days without Number, and yet art at Peace; thou that canſt neglect the Lord Jeſus and his Benefits, and yet art at peace; that canſt Live without the VVord and Prayer in ſecret, and when thou prayeſt with others, thy Heart is abſent, and yet art at peace: Thou that canſt be Intemperate, Senſual, Unclean, Covetous, Proud, Slothful, and yet art at peace: Alas, how much is God thine Enemy; how bitterly doſt thou provoke him unto Anger! The lighter ſin is made of, the heavier 'twill be ſound, and the weightier Gods indignation.

4. This falſe Peace will be but ſhort, Job 20. 4, 5. Knoweſt not thou this of Old, ſince Man was placed upon the Earth, that the Triumphing of the wicked is but ſhort, and the Joy of the Hypocrite but for a moment. This falſe peace can laſt no longer than Life, and Life is haſting to a Concluſion, as the ſwift Ships unto the Haven, and as the Eagle does unto the Prey. How ſmall is that ſatisfaction which the hungry man takes in a Dream of a Feaſt, He Dreameth, ſaith the Prophet, and behold, he eateth, but he awaketh, and his Soul is p. 179empty, Iſa. 29. 8. Secure Souls do Dream that God is a Friend, but when they awake they will find him an Enemy; they Dream that they are whole, but when they awake they will find that they are ſick; and if Hell wakes them they will find their caſe altogether Deſperate, and their Diſeaſe paſt Cure: They Dream that they are Rich and increaſed with good things, but when they awake they will perceive themſelves empty and miſerable. Falſe peace may fitly be compared to a Night-viſion, for as there is no real ground for it, ſo 'tis but of very ſhort continuance.

5. This falſe peace is threatned with ſudden deſtruction. Solomon tells us, Prov. 29. 1. He that being often reproved hardneth his Neck ſhall ſuddenly be Deſtroyed, and that without Remedy. And the Apoſtle ſpeaks to the ſame purpoſe, 1 Theſ. 5. 3. When they ſhall ſay, Peace and Safety, then ſudden Deſtruction cometh upon them as travel upon a Woman with Child, and they ſhall not eſcape. Have you never taken notice of a Man Labouring under the Falling-ſickneſs? He ſeems as well as any perſon in the VVorld, eats as heartily, walks as ſtrongly as another; but upon a ſudden down he falls, foams at Mouth, beats his Breaſt, and becomes a ſpectacle of great horror. Sinners that have a falſe Peace, look chearfully, go up and down from day to day quietly, as if no danger were near them, but at length Death ſeizeth upon them, and it ſeizeth on them ſuddenly, for it finds them utterly unprepared, and the firſt death is immediately followed by the ſecond; and if we could ſee them in Hell, Ah, how ſhould we behold the Caſe altered! How are they brought into Deſolation as in a moment, and utterly conſumed with terror! Pſal. 73. 19. All their vain hope is turned into a moſt tormenting deſpair, all their falſe joy and peace p. 180is changed into inconceivable agonies and vexation of Spirit.

6. This falſe peace of Conſcience will very much heighten the Torment that ſhall follow. As Heaven will be the Sweeter to Believers, becauſe of their foregoing Sorrows, Sufferings, and Temptations; ſo Hell will be the more Bitter to the Ungodly, becauſe of their Confidence that they ſhould ſcape it. They that have a falſe peace, do come many of them with an expectation to have the door of Heaven open to receive them: Lord Lord open unto us, as if they ſhould ſay, Lord Lord, We are at the door, and therefore let us have admiſſion into thy Kingdom. But when they find the door ſhut, and ſhut for ever againſt them; and inſtead of a place in Heaven, they are thrown down into one of the hotteſt places in Hell: Oh what weeping and wailing, will be the conſequent! Death was the worſe to the Amalekite that brought tidings of Sauls death to David, becauſe he expected a reward for his news. 'Twas more grievous to Agag to be hewed in pieces by Samuel before the Lord, when he came forth delicately, and ſaid, ſurely the Bitterneſs of Death is paſt. So Hell will be the more intolerable unto them, who fully reckoned upon it that they were ſecured from thoſe burnings.

When a ſinner that is in a falſe peace all his days, is chaſed out of the world; and beyond his expectation, nay, contrary to his expectation is turned into a flaming Hell: We may conceive him thus ſpeaking. Little, ah little indeed, did I think that this was the place I was going to. I did not imagine the Judge had been ſo Righteous, the Trial at his Tribunal ſo Strict; and that ſo few would have been ſaved. I did not imagine 'twas ſo ordinary for Souls to be deceived, and that p. 181there was ſo much counterfeit grace in the world. I thought my ſelf ſafe, when I was fartheſt from it; and never perceived my miſtake till now 'tis too late to correct it. I dreamt of Heaven, but am in the loweſt Hell; I hoped to be ſaved, but muſt be a damned wretch to all Eternity. Oh that I had waked before! How happy had I been, if a right trouble of Conſcience had been in the room of a falſe peace! Wo is me that I flattered, and by flattering did undo my ſelf! And now what courſe ſhall I take? Ah this totally confounds me, that no courſe can be taken for my relief. Heaven now I ſee, but ſo far off that I can never get thither; and out of Hell there is no Redemption. So much be ſpoken by way of reproof to them whoſe Conſciences are in peace, but that peace has no good ground upon which 'tis builded.

4. They are to be reproved who offer violence to their Conſciences, and very ordinarily do ſin againſt them. Conſcience ſpeaks once, twice, thrice, ſpeaks in the name of the Lord, tells them of Life and Death; of the Life that will be loſt, and the Death which will be incurred by ſin; and yet theſe Tranſgreſſors go reſolutely on in an evil courſe, and hate to be reformed. They do in effect ſpeak to their Conſciences as the children of Judah did to the Prophet, Jer. 44. 16. As for the word which thou haſt ſpoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. Let Such conſider and that ſeriouſly,

1. Sinning againſt Conſcience is the way to Cauterize and Sear it. 'Tis bad to have a dul Conſcience, which does its office ſo remiſsly, that no good effect at all follows; this onelyonly Almoſt perſwades a man to that p. 182which is good, onelyonly Almoſt diſſwades a man from that which is evil. 'Tis worſe to have a ſtupid Conſcience, which takes no notice of thouſands of ſins, unleſs ſome very crying ones be committed, and that commiſſion followed with ſome grievous Plagues. But 'tis worſt of all, to have a ſeared Conſcience; which is not at all moved though there be a giving full way to the moſt foul abomination. (y)(y)Cauteriata conſcientia eſt quae nullâ ratione commovetur, ne atrociſſimis quidem flagitiis; & in iis praecipue reperitur qui p…stquam fuerint illuminati, ſceleratae vitae ſeſe dediderunt. Ameſ. De Conſcient. lib. 1. c. 15.Such a kind of Conſcience, as one obſerves, is to be ſound eſpecially in thoſe who have been enlightned, but contrary to that Light do ſell themſelves to do wickedly. Where Conſcience is ſeared, Light is extinguiſhed: there is no Grief or Shame becauſe of ſin, but an impudence and rejoycing in evil; the mind is reprobate, and the affections vile, and iniquity is committed with Greedineſs. Even ſome Philoſophers have called this ſearedneſs foreign, becauſe the heart is ſenſeleſs like a ſtone, and foreign becauſe ſuch ſinners become like brute Beaſts made to be taken and deſtroyed, 2 Pet. 2. 12.

A Sinner whoſe Conſcience is ſeared as with an hot iron, how does he ſtand ready for the Devils ſervice! and commonly he is employed in the vileſt pieces of Satans Drudgery. When Richard the third did Murther his two Nephews, that he might come to the Throne; he employed a couple of villains to perpetrate that murther, who were ſo ſenſeleſs as to ſtick at nothing. When Belzebub has any eminently and egregiouſly odious work of darkneſs to be done, he does ſet a man with a ſeared Conſcience about it; ſuch an one is likely to do the buſineſs effectually. Such Tranſgreſſors declare their ſin as Sodom, they openly p. 183bid defiance to Heaven; and how ſoon may the Juſt and Jealous God by ſome remarkable ſtroke deſtroy them. What a madneſs is it to ſin againſt Conſcience, ſince this has ſo great a tendency unto the fearing of it!

2. Sinning againſt Conſcience may bring you to deſpair. If Conſcience be not ſeared by Sin, it may be ſo wounded, as that a cure may be conceived impoſſible. The Soul in a great agony may cry out, My breach is wide like the Sea, and who can heal me? Great is the ſin, great is the horrour of Deſpair. What the Poet ſayes concerning Envy, may very truly be applied unto Deſperation: Siculi non invenere Tyranni Majus tormentum. The Sicilian Tyrants (though infamous for their cruelty) never invented a Torment comparable. When Deſpair has once ſeized upon the Conſcience, then indeed there is Hell above ground. A Deſpairing ſinner is the trueſt and likeſt picture of a damned Reprobate. The deplorableneſs of ſuch a ſtate wherein hope leaves a ſinner, and he gives over himſelf and all for loſt, I ſhall ſet forth in theſe particulars,

1. A Deſpairing Conſcience remembers God, and is troubled: it ſees frowns in his Face, and how terrifying is his Voice! for he ſpeaks unto ſuch ſinners in his wrath, and vexes them in his ſore diſpleaſure. Then ſayes Luther, (z)(z)Verus terror naſcitur cùm Dei irati vox auditur, h. e. cùm ſentitur conſcientiâ. Tum enim Deus qui antea nuſquam erat est ubique, & qui prius dormire videbatur, omnia audet & videt: & ira ejus ſicut ignis ardet, furit, & occidit. Luther. Tom. 1. in Gen. c. 12.Gen 12There is true Horrour, when the p. 184voice of an angry God is heard, and perceived by the Conſcience; then the Lord who was thought to be no where, is every where; and he that did ſeem to ſleep before, does now hear and ſee all things; and his Anger like the Fire does burn and rage and kill all before it. A deſpairing ſinner apprehends what a terrible enemy the Lord is, and then to think that this Lord is his Enemy, and that juſtly; and withall, that he is now irreconcilable, oh how does this confound him.

2. A Deſpairing Conſcience looks upon the creatures and findes them all miſerable comforters. Judas in temptation thought thirty pieces of ſilver a great matter, but when he was ſeized upon with Deſpair, he flung away the ſilver as that which was altogether unprofitable, Mat. 27. 3. 5. Love of money had wounded him, and money it ſelf could not heal him, nor buy a medicine for him. Riches ſay to the deſpairing Conſcience; We are not able to deliver in this day of the Lords anger: Pleaſures ſay, Help is not to be found in us, 'tis not in our power to ſweeten that cup of trembling, which is filled with the wine of Gods indignation. Honours and worldly Greatneſs ſay, We cannot skreen thee from Him that is higher than the higheſt, and who if he will not withdraw his anger, the proudeſt helpers muſt ſtoop under him, Job. 9. 13.

3. A deſpairing Conſcience remembers ſin and thoſe threatnings that are denounced againſt it, and is overwhelmed. Oh the mountains of guilt which it does behold! and theſe are high; treſpaſſes are grown up unto the Heavens, and then it applies all the Curſes, all the evils that it reads in the Book of God unto it ſelf: there is a roll opened before it, written within and without, with Lamentations and Mourning and Wo: to p. 185allude to that place, Ezek. 2. ult. Wherever the deſpairing ſinner goes he is dog'd, and followed with Legions of ſins, and Conſcience is ſtill tormenting it ſelf with ſuch ſad thoughts. How ſhall all theſe be anſwered for? How ſhall that vengeance be undergone which ſo many iniquities and ſo heinous, do deſerve?

4. A Deſpairing Conſcience looks upon Chriſt and the Goſpel, and is more than ordinarily tormented to think there is help for others, but for it ſelf none to be found. It calls to mind that once the door was open, and the ſinner was invited to come in but refuſed, but now concludes the door is ſhut eternally; once the Spirit ſtrived, but being reſiſted, is departed for good and all, ſo as never to return again. Once ſayes the deſpairing ſoul, I had a day of Grace, but I did not know it, I did not improve it; but now am overtaken by an Everlaſting Night, and ſhall never ſee day more. The Prince of Peace, the Goſpel of Peace are hid from me, the hopes of Peace are quite gone. I have outdone the very Devils themſelves, and may expect if it be poſſible, to be more miſerable; they never refuſed one offer of Mercy, but I thouſands; they never ſlighted a pardon, but I have ſlighted it, and was unwilling to be reconciled to God, they never rejected a Redeemer, but I have rejected him, and preferr'd vanity, nay, ſin which is of ſuch a damnable Nature, before the only Saviour.

5. A deſpairing Conſcience remembers Death and Judgement, and Eternity, and then there is even a Roaring out for Anguiſh, ſomething like unto the yellings of thoſe that actually are in the burning lake. Ah how ſhall I bear the wrath of the Almighty when all of it ſhall be ſtirr'd up? What eaſe can I expect in Everlaſting p. 186Flames? How ſhall I bear the ſociety of the Devil and his Angels? How ſhall I endure to be tormented for ever, in the preſence of the Holy Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb? Rev. 14. 10. 'Tis not more certain I muſt dye, than 'tis certain I muſt be judged; 'tis not more certain I muſt be judged, than 'tis certain I muſt be damned; 'tis not more certain I muſt be damned, than 'tis certain that my damnation will be Everlaſting. This is the Language of a deſpairing ſinner: and ſince to deſpair is to be upon ſuch a wrack, how are they to be reproved that ſin againſt Conſcience which has a tendency to deſpair?

6. They are to be reproved, who go about to wound and to enſnare the Conſciences of Others. How careful was the Apoſtle not to caſt a ſnare upon the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 7. 35. nor to enjoyn that as neceſſary where the Lord had not impoſed a neceſſity, and a little after he ſticks not to ſay, that they who ſin againſt the Brethren and wound their weak Conſcience, do ſin againſt Chriſt, 1 Cor. 8. 12. And if I am not by an imprudent uſe of my Chriſtian liberty, to embolden another to venture upon ſin againſt Conſcience, ſurely much leſſe may I do this either by conſtraint or by perſwaſion. If it argue want of Love, and be a great ſin, to impair the Eſtate, to blemiſh the reputation, to hurt the body of my Brother, how much worſe than all this, is it to wound his Conſcience? Thoſe who have no mercy to the Souls of Others, ſurely have little to their Own, and they will make bold with their own Conſciences, who have no care, no tenderneſs in reference to the Conſciences of their Brethren.

Several ſorts of perſons are here concerned, as being injurious to others Conſciences.

p. 1871. Falſe Prophets are injurious to the Conſciences of others: Theſe do ſpeak perverſe things to draw away Diſciples after them, the Apoſtle deals very ſharply with theſe, he calls them Dogs, and bids us beware of them. Phil. 3. 2. Beware of Dogs, beware of evil workers. No wonder that Paul ſtiles them Dogs, ſince Chriſt before had call'd them Wolves, nay ravening Wolves. Falſe Prophets, eſpecially ſtrike at Conſcience, and endeavour to miſ-inform That; and if once they can prevail ſo as to make the Conſcience put darkneſs for light, and light for darkneſs, a lye for Truth, and Truth for a Lye; how may ſouls be carried away! truly ſo far at length as to fall into damnable Hereſies, and alſo into groſſe impieties and wickedneſs. Thoſe deceived and deceiving ones ſpoken of, 2 Pet. 2. They walked in the luſts of Ʋncleanneſs, they counted it pleaſure to Riot, their Eyes were full of Adultery and could not ceaſe from ſin, their Heart was exerciſed with Covetous practices, and while they talked of Liberty they were themſelves the Servants of Corruption.

2. Dawbers with untempered Mortar are concerned, Conſcience is little beholding to them, for they heal the wound of it ſlightly crying Peace, Peace, where there is no Peace, Jer. 6. 14. How miſerable is the condition of unfaithful Miniſters, and likewiſe of thoſe Souls that belong to their charge. The Watchman that gives not warning, the Blood of Souls indeed will lye upon his Head, but this implies that ſuch Souls do alſo periſ… Ezek. 33. 7, 8. O Son of Man I have ſet thee a Watchman unto the Houſe of Iſrael, therefore thou ſhalt Hear the Word at my Mouth, and ſhalt warn them from me. When I ſay to the wicked man thou ſhalt p. 188ſurely dye, if thou doſt not ſpeak to warn the wicked from his way; that wicked man ſhall dye in his iniquity, but his Blood will I require at thine hand. If an unskilful Phyſician has need of a new Church-yard, what ſhall be ſaid of an unskilful or unfaithful Preacher? I will not affirm he has need of a new Hell, but I am ſure he will help very much to fill the Old one. Thoſe that make the way to Heaven broad and eaſie, and regeneration needleſs, and the Death of Chriſt an encouragement to continue in ſin, and the Mercy of God ſo large that 'twill put up any thing, and will certainly be extended unto any that cry Lord have mercy upon us: Theſe are Dawbers, enemies to Conſcience, they build a Wall, that ſhall be rent with a ſtormy wind in fury, and brought down to the ground, and they ſhall be conſumed in the midſt of it, Ezek. 13. 13. 14.

3. All enticers unto Wickedneſs are cruel Enemies to the Conſciences of others. If there be a Devil incarnate, he is ſuch an one whoſe buſineſſe is to tempt thoſe to ſin whom he has to deal with. When any perſwade you to intemperance, to uncleanneſs, to injuſtice, or any other iniquity, they do in effect perſwade you to make deep wounds and gaſhes in your own Spirits, to wrong your own Souls, and to go along with them towards the lake that burns, and burns for ever with Fire and Brimſtone. Oh the cruelty of thoſe that ſtir up others to ſin! Oh the folly of them that are prevailed with by theſe wretched and evil inſtruments of the Prince of Darkneſs! I have done with that firſt Uſe by way of reproof.

ƲSE. II. Shall be of Direction. And here I am to ſhew, firſt how ſecure Conſciences may be awakened p. 189and wounded, and ſecondly how wounded Conſciences may be cured and comforted.

1. How ſecure Conſciences may be awakened. Though there is many a bad Spirit which does prevail at this day, yet none does more prevail than the Spirit of Slumber: cloſed Eyes, drowſie Souls, ſenſeleſs Hearts are every where to be met with. Though ſo much hath been ſpoken, though ſo much has been done, though ſo much has been felt and ſuffered in order unto our awakening; yet whoſe Conſcience is indeed ſtarled? Prophets have been full of Power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of Judgment and of might to declare unto evil doers their Tranſgreſſion and their ſin, Mic. 3. 8. Calamity and Judgments have been ſtrange, unwonted and extraordinary, and it might have been thought that ſuch a Plague and Flames as have raged in London, would hardly have left one ſecure ſinner, but all would have learned to fear that God, who is ſo Righteous, and who knows how to take a courſe with them that provoke him unto jealouſie. But alas, like Pharoah of old, upon the leaſt reſpite the generality of ſinners do harden their Hearts, and their Conſciences ſleep ſounder than ever. Now in order unto your being awakened, follow theſe directions:

1. Think of that Great and Glorious Majeſty which by ſin is affronted, and which all the ſin that is in the World is committed againſt; He is the bleſſed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; he is clothed with Honour and with Majeſty, and covers himſelf with light as with a Garment; the Heaven is his Throne, the Earth is his Foot-ſtool; the whole world in compariſon with him is but as the Bucket, and the ſmall duſt upon the Balance, and all the Nations of the Earth before p. 190him are as nothing, and vanity, Iſa. 40. 15. 17. The greater the perſon is that is affronted, that affront is the greater crime. God is the higheſt and greateſt of all, Oh how vile and hainous a thing is it to ſin againſt him. Sinner! would'ſt thou have thy Conſcience awakened? believe ſeriouſly that There is a God, Oh what work would this Truth make were it but firmly credited! That famous Bruce of Scotland who (a)(a)Robertus Bruſius. Vir genere & virtute nobilis, Majestate vultûs vener abilis, qui plura animarum millia Christo lucrifecit, cujus anima, ſi ullius mortalium (abſit verbo invidia) ſedet in coelestibus.gained many thouſands of Souls to Chriſt; was wont to ſay, I think it a great matter to believe that there is a God. And not only believe that God is, but that he is ſo Glorious as his word proclaims him, this may make thee tremble.

Now no ſin in the World can be committed wherein this God is not concerned. Thoſe ſins againſt Man, are more againſt God than againſt man: therefore David after he had murthered Ʋriah, and defiled Bathſheba, looks beyond theſe, as high as God himſelf and cryes out, againſt thee, thee only have I ſinned, and done this Evil in thy ſight, Pſal. 51. 4. He takes notice how God was ſtruck at in that injury he had done to his Neighbour, and is wholly ſwallowed up in that conſideration, and this helped very much his awakening and contrition. To how many thouſands of Millions do all thy ſins amount? and there is not one of them but has been an act of Rebellion againſt the (†) Altare Damaſcenum. p. 191Lord of Heaven, if this were pondered, it might cool thy Courage and trouble thy Conſcience.

2. Think how dreadful the Power of this God, and his wrath being joyned together muſt needs prove: in Scripture theſe two are joyned and both together are engaged againſt the ungodly, Ezra 8. 22. The hand of our God is upon all them for good that ſeek him, but his Power and his Wrath is againſt all them that forſake him. If wrath be without Power 'tis contemptible; if Power be without wrath it may not be at all hurtful, but when Wrath and Power meet they may well be trembled at. The Wrath of a King is as the Roaring of a Lyon, as the meſſengers of Death. What then is the Anger of God? this wrath to ſhew the heat and greatneſs of it, is likened unto Fire, and it burns worſe than any other Fire, for it burns to Hell it ſelf, Deut. 52. 32. A Fire is kindled in mine Anger and it ſhall burn to the lowest Hell. And if you would underſtand the Power of this Anger, know that there is no withſtanding it, and Oh how diſmall are the effects of it in both Worlds!

This Anger of God has brought upon ſinners Curſing, and Vexation, and Rebuke, and has made them quickly to periſh becauſe of the Wickedneſs of their doings: it has ſmitten them with a Conſumption and a Fever, and an Inflammation, and Extreme Burning; with the Peſtilence, and Sword, and Blaſting, and Mildew, and has made the Heaven over Sinners Heads like Braſs, and the Earth under their Feet like Iron. It has made them when they went out one way againſt their Enemies, to be ſmitten and to flee ſeven wayes before them, and their carcaſſes to become meat to the Fowls of the Air, and the Beaſts of the Earth. This Anger of God has ſtricken the ungodly; with madneſs and blindneſs, and aſtoniſhment of Heart. So p. 192that life has been a burthen, no reſt or eaſe at all could be found, ſo that in the morning they have ſaid, would God it were Evening, and in the Evening would God it were morning, becauſe of the fear and trembling of their Hearts, the failing of their Eyes, and the ſorrow of their Minds. All this is ſpoken of at large, Deut. 28.

But theſe are not all, nor the moſt heavy effects of Divine diſpleaſure. Indeed we are ſafe from mans Anger after Death, we cannot feel or be concerned at what Man can do when we are in the Grave. There the Wicked ceaſe from troubling, there the weary be at reſt, there the Priſoners reſt together, they hear not the voice of the oppreſſor. Job 3. 17. 18. But Gods Anger will follow after us into the other World, and then will be found moſt heavy. That Wrath to come is moſt of all amazing, for then as it will be intollerable to be born, ſo 'twil be impoſſible to be appeaſed. Conſider all this and be affrighted, and ſay with the Pſalmiſt. At thy Rebuke O God of Jacob, the ſtout Hearted are ſpoyled, none of the men of Might have found their Hands. Thou even thou art to be feared, who may ſtand in thy ſight when once thou art Angry?

3. That Conſcience may be awakened, conſider ſeriouſly that you are alwayes under the Eye and Power of God, ſo that he can do with you what he pleaſes. You cannot hide your ſelves from him, nor defend your ſelves againſt him. Though you dig into Hell, thence can his hand take you, though you could climb up to Heaven, and make your neſt among the Starrs, yet thence he can bring you down, Amos 9. 2. Your breath is in His hand, dare you to provoke him? and he can take it out of your Noſtrils, without asking you leave, or giving you the leaſt warning. You have p. 193no Leaſe of your Lives, but are Tenants at will in theſe Cottages of Clay; the Lord can turn you out, and require your Souls at your hands at his own pleaſure.

God has moſt Sovereign Power, he is the onelyonly abſolute Monarch, becauſe all others are ſubject to himſelf. VVhom he will he Kills, whom he will he keeps alive, whom he will he ſets up, whom he will he puts down, whom he will he ſaves, and whom, and when he will he can deſtroy for ever. He does according to his pleaſure in the Army of Heaven, and among the Inhabitants of the Earth, and none can ſtay his hand, or ſay to him, What doſt thou? Dan. 4. 35. Surely 'tis not ſafe by thy ſtupidneſs of Conſcience any longer to engage this God againſt thee.

4. Firmly Believe, that 'tis not more certain thou art a ſinner, than 'tis certain that the Lord of Heaven is diſpleaſed with Thee, Thee in particular. Thou that haſt an hard Heart, and a ſenſeleſs Conſcience, I am to tell thee heavy Tidings, Gods Soul does hate Thee, and he is Angry with thee every day. If God ſhould permit one of thy Old Companions in Wickedneſs to riſe from the Dead, to tell thee that his wrath abides upon thee, and that thou art making haſte unto the place of Torment, would not this ſtartle thee? Or if an Angel from Heaven ſhould meet thee with a Flaming Sword in his Hand, and tell thee, the way that thou takeſt is perverſe before God; and naming thy Name, John, Thomas, Richard, ſhould ſay plainly, that the Lord is thine Enemy; how would this affect thee? VVhy, the Word tells thee this; and that is a more ſure word of Prophecy. How expreſly is it ſaid, Wo to the wicked, it ſhall be ill with him: Upon the wicked God ſhall rain Snares, Fire and Brimſtone, and an horrible Tempeſt, p. 194this ſhall be the Portion of their Cup, Pſal. 11. 6.

5. Look upon God as the Lord of Hosts, that thy Conſcience may ſhrink and be afraid. Many Legions of Angels are at his Service, his beck commands them, they are his Miniſters to do his pleaſure, Pſal. 103. 21. And theſe Angels do ſo excell in ſtrength, that one of them was able to deſtroy in one Night, an hundred fourſcore and five thouſand of the Aſſyrian Army, Iſa. 37. 36. All the Devils in Hell God can Employ, and they are very forward to be the Inſtruments of his Wrath and Revenge upon the workers of Iniquity. The Men of the Earth are at his Command, and he can ſtir up their Spirits, and bring whole Armies of them againſt the People of his Indignation. The Beaſts of the Field, the Fowls of the Air; nay, the moſt inconſiderable Creatures he can make terrible, ſo as to tame the proudeſt of his Adverſaries. Thoſe Locuſts ſpoken of by Joel, when God does Marſhal them into an Army, how terrible are they? Like the noiſe of Chariots on the tops of Mountains ſhall they leap, like the noiſe of a Flame of Fire that devoureth the ſtubble, as a ſtrong People ſet in Battel array, before their face the People ſhall be much pained, all Faces ſhall gather blackneſs, Joel 2. 5, 6. The Fire and Hail, Snow and Vapour, and Stormy Winds fulfill Gods Word. The Thunder and the Lightnings ſay unto him, Here we are; being ready to conſume the Rebellious againſt him. The Lord is very terrible in himſelf, oh dreadful to have an Omnipotent Enemy! But when beſides his own Power, he has ſo great an Hoſt at Command, how ſhould ſinners tremble before him!

p. 1956. Look back and ſee what Security has brought upon others. Stupidneſs of Conſcience has been the fore-runner of the moſt aſtoniſhing Judgments that ever were inflicted. Read the Story of the old World, and the Drowning of it: Was it not terrible, when all the Fountains of the great Deep were broken up, and the Windows of Heaven were opened, and the Rain was upon the Earth for forty Days and forty Nights together, Gen. 7. 11, 12? Oh, what crying, and what climbing was there to avoid that Deluge, but all in vain; the VVaters prevailed exceedingly, fifteen Cubits above the higheſt Mountains, and all fleſh dyed that moved upon the Earth: Fowl, Cattel, Beaſt, Creeping thing, and every Man. But Security went before this Flood that ſwept all away. They Eat, they Drank, they Planted, they Builded, they Married, and were given in Marriage, even to the Day that Noah entred into the Ark. The like ſottiſhneſs and unſenſibleneſs was in Sodom and Gomorrah, before the Lord Rained Fire and Brimſtone, bringing Hell out of Heaven for their ſignal overthrow, who had been ſinners before the Lord exceedingly. Like ſins will have like ends; and if thy Conſcience is ſtupid as the Sodomites were, thou mayſt be deſtroyed ſuddenly, and ſignally as they were.

7. That Conſcience may be awakened, conſider how unlikely 'tis that Divine Patience ſhould last much longer towards you: Do not think that his patience towards his Enemies will be like his Mercy towards his Children, and endure for ever. You have found him long-ſuffering, 'tis Fooliſh preſumption to think he will be ever ſuffering. Laeſa Patientia fit furor, Abuſed p. 196Patience may quickly become Fury. Hippolytus, (b)(b)Magne regnator Deûm Tam lentus audis ſcelera tàm lentus vide…! Ec quando ſaevâ fulmina emittes manu, Si nunc ſerenum est? Seneca.in the Tragedy, when his Mother-in-Law made an Inceſtuous motion to him, wondred at the patience of Heaven, and that ſhe was not preſently ſtruck dead with a Thunder-bolt. It may be Matter of great Admiration, that ſtupid ſinners have been ſpared all this while: Oh, let them not reckon that they ſhall be ſtill ſpared, though they continue in their provocations. Sottiſh and Senſeleſs ſinner! the Devil who temps thee to ſin, would fain drag thee to Hell immediately; but 'tis that God whom thou offendeſt, that hinders him, and exerciſes forbearance, to ſee if at length thou wilt be led to Repentance.

But if thou art ſtupid ſtill, God may quickly ſuffer Satan to have his will upon thee, and, which is worſe, cauſe his own wrathful Vengeance to take hold on thee. Doſt thou think that the Spirit of the Lord will ſtill ſtrive, if he meet with nothing but reſiſtance? doſt thou think that Mercy will ſtill be offered if that Offer be nothing elſe but rejected? Doſt thou think that the day of Grace will ſtill continue if it be eat and drunk, and ſlept and play'd, and ſinn'd away? Doſt thou conſider how eaſie 'tis for God to deſtroy thee? And if he does it, he will eaſe himſelf of a Burthen; For he is preſſed with thy Iniquities as a Cart is preſſed that is full of ſheaves, Amos 2. 13. Nay, he threatens to do it, which ſhould make thee (as ſecure as thou art) horribly afraid; concerning thoſe Sinners that did refuſe and rebell; that did refuſe to turn, and did reſolve p. 197to rebell: Thus ſaith the Lord, the Lord of Hoſts, the Mighty One of Iſrael, Ah, I will eaſe me of mine Adverſaries, and avenge me on my Enemies, Iſa. 1. 24.

8. That Conſcience may be awakened, Behold and Know thy ſelf. To underſtand our ſelves is a great part of Wiſdom; to live and die Ignorant of our ſelves, (c)(c)Miſer nimiùm, Qui cunctis notus moritur, Ignotus moritur ſibi. Seneca.is not to ſee what's our Happineſs, what's our Miſery, till 'tis too late to obtain the one, to avoid the other. How do the ungodly miſtake every thing! They miſtake ſin, for they think it pleaſant: they miſtake the World, for they think 'twill make them happy; they miſtake Satan, for they think there is no harm in yielding to his Temptations; they miſtake the Lord, for they think him an hard Maſter, and his Commands grievous; they miſtake themſelves, for they think they are what they are not, and that they are not what they are. Look therefore into your ſelves, Sinners, and there are five things you ſhould take notice of, which may help very much to ſtartle Conſcience.

1. Take Notice of your Guilt Ah, how have your offences abounded? You have Sinned alone, you have Sinned in Company, you have Sinned in every place, in every Relation, in every Capacity, in every Employment; nay, you have Sinned in every Duty that you have performed unto God himſelf. How ſhould ſuch Guilty Souls tremble! We blame the ſtupidneſs of a Malefactor, p. 198that is in Priſon for ſeveral Crimes, the leaſt of which is enough to Hang him. Oh, blame thy ſelf for being unconcerned at thy many thouſands of Tranſgreſſions, the leaſt of which is enough to damn thee.

2. Take Notice of thy weakneſs. Art thou, O Man, a Match for God? Haſt thou an Arm like the Lord? Or canſt thou Thunder with a voice like him? Canſt thou deck thy ſelf with Majeſty and Excellency, and array thy ſelf with Glory and Beauty? Canst thou cast abroad the Rage of thy Wrath, and behold every one that is proud, and abaſe him? Job 40. 9, 10, 11. Poor VVorm, thou dwelleſt in a Houſe of Clay, whoſe Foundation is in the duſt, thou art no more able to ſtand againſt God, than dryed ſtubble before devouring flames, or Chaff before the fierceſt VVhirlewind.

3. Take Notice of thy Mortality: How quickly may thy breath go forth, and thou return to thy Earth, and all thy thoughts periſh? Pſal. 146. 4. How ſoon maiſt thou be hid in the duſt, and thy face bound in ſecret? Doſt not thou Obſerve Men as great, as young, as rich, as ſtrong as thy ſelf carried to their Graves? VVhy ſhould thy Conſcience be ſecure, as if thou wert ſure to be out of the reach of Death for theſe ſeveral Years? It does infinitely concern thee to awake to Righteouſneſs preſently, and to work for God and for thy Soul, while 'tis day, for the Night is coming, is juſt at hand, and there is no VViſdom, nor working in the Grave, whither thou art apace going.

4. Take Notice of the Immortality of thy better p. 199part, thy Precious Soul: (d)(d)Twas a notable ſaying and obſervation of Hierocles upon Pythagoras. foreign, that is, Tis the wicked man that is unwilling his ſoul ſhould be immortal.Thy Body indeed muſt lie ſenſeleſs in the Grave till the laſt day, but thy Spirit muſt return to God who gave it. As the Spirits of Juſt Men immediately after death are made perfect in the Heavenly Jeruſalem; ſo the ſpirits of the Ungodly are thrown into Hell when ſeparated from their Bodies; for the ſoul has been the principal ſubject of ſin, and moſt Active in wickedneſs, and therefore does more early begin to be tormented. The Sodomites are ſaid to be now ſuffering the Vengeance of eternal fire, Jude 7. which ſhews plainly, that their Souls are now in Hell, for if their Bodies and Souls were aſleep together, they would not truly be ſaid to ſuffer that vengeance.

5. Take notice of the eternal Duration both of Soul and Body after the Reſurrection: Body and Soul, which Death does part, muſt be joyned again; and as they have been Companions together in Sin, ſo they muſt ſhare together in Everlaſting Puniſhment. Thou maiſt be weary of thy Being, ſinner, and wiſh thou hadſt never had it, or that it might be taken away; but thy wiſh will not be granted. Thou muſt endure as long as God does, and ſince thou muſt Be for ever, Awake, awake, that thou maiſt not be for ever miſerable.

9. That Conſcience may be awakened, Behold how the Judge ſtands before the Door, James 5. 9. the coming of the Lord draws nigh, and is ſtill nearer and p. 200nearer. Yet a little while and he that ſhall come will come and will not tarry, Heb. 10. 37. Oh think of that day when the World ſhall be on Fire about your Ears, when the Lord ſhall come with Clouds and every Eye ſhall ſee Him, and all the kindreds of the earth ſhall wail becauſe of him; when the Sun ſhall become black as a ſackcloth of hair, and the Moon ſhall be like blood; when the Heaven ſhall depart as a ſcroll when 'tis rolled together, and every Mountain and Iſland ſhall be removed out of their places; when the Lord Jeſus ſhall ſit upon his great white Throne, and all the dead both ſmall and great ſhall ſtand before him, and ſhall be judged according to their works, Rev. 20. 11. 12. Conſider ſeriouſly,

1. How glorious the Judge will be at that day: he will come attended with Legions of Angels. Oh the Majeſty and Brightneſs of our Lord, when he ſhall appear the ſecond time! he appeared the firſt time in the form of a Servant, becauſe he was to be obedient unto Death for the ſins of men; but then he will be ſeen as he is, 'twill be evident to all, that he is the Son of God, and foreign the Brightneſs of his Fathers glory.

2. How powerful will this Judge be found! All the Devils, and the Reprobate world will be then together, and yet they will not be able to make their part good againſt him; but he will Judge and Condemn, and put the Sentence which he paſſes upon them, in Execution.

3. How Righteous will the whole proceeding of this Judge at that day be! Every mouth ſhall be ſtopt, and every ſinner ſpeechleſſe. Oh then the Evil of ſin will p. 201be made Manifeſt; and how Righteous 'tis for the Lord, to Sentence the Wicked unto Everlaſting Fire. Whom He Condemns, every one will Condemn; and they ſhall not chooſe but Condemn themſelves.

4. After the Judge has paſt Sentence, he will be inexorable: no Cryes, no Tears will prevail with him to Repeal it. Thoſe that then are Condemned, can never be Juſtified, can never be ſaved. Oh what is that Miſery which is Extream, as to the Meaſure; and as to the Duration of it, Everlaſting!