Rom. xiv. 22. Happy is he that condenmeth not himself in that thing which he alloiveth.
IT is well known that there is a great diversity of opinion amongst good men respecting the principles of religion. Nor are they altogether agreed upon the subject of moral duty. Some have a clearer insight into the nature and extent of Christian liberty, whilst
others are in bondage to superstitious rites ; and some are ready to plead for a degree of latitudinarian indulgence, which others feel themselves by no means authorized to admit. There is, however, one point in which all are agreed ; and that is, the necessity of following the dictates of our own conscience. The man who violates his own principles, whether he be right or wrong in his judgment, stands condemned in his own mind : whilst, on the other hand, as the Apostle tells us in our text, " he is happy, who con- demneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth."
The subject of conscience needs to be treated with extreme delicacy and care ; lest we wound a weak brother, and make the heart of the righteous sad." It is however a subject of such vital importance, that we must of necessity enter upon it, and prosecute it, with all fidelity. Let me, then, state to you, 1. The office of conscience —
The proper office of conscience is admonition. It is not given to instruct us in any thing new, but to regulate us according to some fixed principles in the mind. It is given us,
1. As a secret monitor —
[In every man there is something which has within him the force of a law. Those who possess not the knowledge of God's revealed will have yet some principles of action, which they regard as binding, and in accordance with which the voice of conscience speaks. Having no other law, " they are a law unto themselves3:" and the office of conscience is, to testify, when they fulfil, and when they violate, this law. Nor does this testimony refer to their actions merely, but to their motives also : respecting which, none but themselves can form any correct judgment. This is the view which the Scripture gives of conscience : " The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly V Not that it waits for the execution of an act : it testifies beforehand respecting the quality of the act proposed ; and operates as a stimulus, if the act be good ; or as a check, if it be evil. Its influence indeed is, for the most part, proportioned to the desire which a man feels to be governed by it : if a man dis- regard its motions, it may be reduced to utter silence : but if
a Rom. ii. 14. b Prov. xx. '27.