[1.] Because of his authority.
[2.] Because of his power.
(1.) Because of his authority. Conscience is God's deputy, and till God be pacified, conscience is not pacified upon sound and solid terms. Therefore it is said, where conscience doth its office, 1 John iii. 20, 21, * If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things ; if our hearts condemn us not, then have we con- fidence towards God,' God is greater than our consciences. His authority is greater, for God is supreme, whose sentence is decisive. Now, though conscience should not do its oftice, 1 Cor. iv. 4, ' For I know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.' All depends upon God's testimony.
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(2.) Because of his power, who only can still the conscience : Isa. Ivii. 19, ' I create the fruit of the lips to be, peace, peace;' that is, the lips of his ministers or messengers, who bring the glad tidings of peace, or the reconcilement of God to his people : and therefore it is called ' the peace of God,' Phil. iv. 7, as wrought by him. The gospel is a sovereign plaster, but it is God's hand that must make it stick upon the soul, otherwise we hear words and return words: it is by the lively operation of his Spirit that our hearts are settled. God coraeth in with a sovereign powerful act upon the soul, otherwise one grief or sad thought doth but awaken another. Till he ' com- mand loving-kindness,' Ps. xlii. 8, we are still followed with temp- tation; as the rain swells the rivers, and rivers the sea, and in the sea one wave impelleth another, so doth one temptation raise another.
Use 1. It reproveth those that do not deal with God about the pardon of their sins. If God alone pardon sins, then God must be sought to about it. For though there be none in earth to call us to an account, yet God may call us to an account ; and then what shall we do ? Many, if they escape the judgment of man, think they are safe ; but alas ! your iniquities will find you out. You think they are past, and never more to be remembered ; but they will find you out in this world or the next ; our business lieth not with man so much as with God. Therefore this should be the question of your souls : Job xxxi. 14, ' What then shall I do when God riseth up ? and when he %dsiteth, what shall I answer him?' Which way shall I turn myself when God calleth me to an account ? He will come and inquire into our ways ; are you provided of an answer ? David's sin was secret ; his plot for the destruction of Uriah closely carried. Nathan tells him, 2 Sam. xii. 12, ' Thou didst it secretly.' But, 'against thee have I sinned.' Many escape blame with men, but God's wrath maketh inquisition for sinners. You cannot escape his search and vengeance if you do not treat with him about a pardon.
Use 2. It shows the folly of those that have nothing to show for the pardon of their sins, but their own secure presumptions ; it is God's act to pardon sin. Man may forget his sin, but if God remem- ber it he is miserable. Man may hide his sin, but if God bring it to light ; man may put off the thoughts, but if God doth not put away; man may excuse his sin, but if God aggravate it; the debtor may deny the debt, but if the book be not crossed, he is responsible : Ps. xxxii. 1,2,' Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered ; blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity,' &c. We must have God's act to show for our discharge, then we may triumph : ' It is God that justifieth, who is he that con- demneth ?' &c., Kom. viii. 33, 34. God is the offended party, and the supreme judge. Then conscience hath nothing to do with us, nor Satan, neither as accuser or executioner. Not as an accuser, for then he is but a slanderer; not as an executioner, for he is turned out of office : Heb. ii. 14, ' That he might destroy him that had the power of death, even the devil.' Have you your pardon from God ? Is your discharge from him ? When have it we from God ?
1. Have it you from his mouth, in the word, or prayer, upon suing
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to him in Christ's name, and earnest waiting upon him ? If men would consider how they come by their peace, they woukl sooner be undeceived. You were praying and wi-estling with God, and so your comfort came. God speaketh peace. But when it groweth upon you, you know not how ; it was a thing you never laboured for ; like Jonah's gourd, it grew up in a night ; it is but a fond dream,
2. Have it you under his hand? Is it a peace upon scripture terms? — of faith: Eom. v. 1, ' Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ :' — repentance : Luke xxiv. 47, ' That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,' &c. ; — and the exercise of holiness, — then have you God's word to show for it. But if it be not a peace consistent with scripture rules, nay, you are afraid of the word, John iii. 20, you are loth to be tried, — it is a naughty heart,