Mark, therefore, how much is ascribed to the testimony of conscience, because of its nearness to us. It is our own hearts, a domestical tribunal, which we carry about with us in our bosoms. It is more worthy of credit than any human testimony whatsoever ; for what sliall we believe if we do not believe our own hearts, which are most likely to deal impartially with us.
Partly in relation to God. It acts in God's name, as his deputy^
416 SERMON UPON ACTS X. 34, 35.
according to his law ; and what conscience speaketh, it is as if God himself had spoken it. So that these workings of conscience are, as it were, a beginning either of hell or heaven within us.
Mark, secondly, the testimony it goeth upon, ' Because we keep his commandraents, and do what is pleasing in his sight.' Just the same with that in the text, to ' fear God and work righteousness.'
Mark, thirdly, the success and effect : ' We have confidence towards him, and whatever we ask we receive of him ; ' that is, we have such favour with God that we shall obtain whatever in reason and righteous- ness we can ask of him.
2. It informeth us of the true nature of that sanctification which giveth us hopes of acceptance with God. If both principle and per- formance are right and justifiable, ' fearing God and working righteous- ness.' He that is truly sanctified must first be one that truly feareth God ; that is, maketh God his witness, approver, and judge. His aim is to please and glorify God, and his work is to serve God. Grace must be acted in the whole life, and this not by starts and fits, but for a constancy, Ps. cvi.
3. We can make no judgment upon ourselves by what is unusual and. extraordinary, but by the tenor and drift of our conversation. Not by what happeneth rarely, but by our ordinary course : Acts x. 2, ' Cornelius gave much alms to the people, and prayed unto God alway.' Daily converse manifesteth the temper of our hearts. A christian is not to be judged by single acts, but by his life. These two, then, we must still look after — the principle and the performance. The principle is fear ; that owneth God's authority ; our hearts and lives must be ordered and directed according to his will, and moved and *acted by his rewards. And the performance must be regarded. Wherefore did God change our hearts, and. infuse grace into them, but that we might have the use of it ? but that we might act it and live by it ? Saving grace is a talent, and the chiefest talent that we are intrusted with for the master's use : Mat iii. 8, ' Bring forth fruits met for repentance ; ' and Acts xx. 21, ' Testifying to the Jews and Greeks repentance towards God.' There must be practices becoming such a change of heart.
Use 2. To press you to fear God and work righteousness. I have many arguments in the text.
1. From the privilege, 'to be accepted with God.' That should be our great scope : 2 Cor. v. 9, ' We labour that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.'
[1.] With respect to God. See that all is right between you and God. It is his law you have broken, -his wrath you fear, his judgment you must undergo, his presence you come into, his favour whieh is your life and happiness. So that it is a great privilege to be accepted of God. Then for your comfort : 2 Cor. i. 12, ' This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience.' Carnal joys do but tickle the senses, this doth affect the heart ; yea, the conscience, which is the quickest, tenderest, and most sensible part of the heart. Many things please our affections which yet cannot appease our consciences ; that f rowneth upon and soureth our other delights, if it be not pacified. Till God accepteth our persons this still occurreth, God may condemn thee to eternal torments for all this.
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[2.] With respect to men. He that is accepted with God needeth not care for any man's hatred ; he may be confident of God's favour and the privilege of his servants : Job xvi. 20, ' My friends scorn me, but mine eye poureth out tears to God.' Besides, you have a testi- mony in their consciences, not by being zealous for the interests of a faction, but careful of God's laws : Rom. xiv. 17, 18, ' He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men.'
2. From the condition, what is required of you.
[1.] Fear. To fear God is not contrary to your comfort or blessed- ness ; to be always in God's company, living as under his eye, is a branch of blessedness: Prov. xxviii. 14, 'Happy is the man that feareth always.'
[2.] Righteousness. These are things which bespeak their own respect. If the Lord had bidden us do some other things, we might have stuck at it ; but righteousness is so amiable and lovely, that if a man be well in his wits he will not stick at it, but would work righteousness if it were not required of him. We should be so inured to it that we cannot go out of its track. We should never consent to break a law so fit for God to give and us to receive, so conducible to tlie glorifying of God, governing ourselves, and commerce with •others.