proposed, is presumptuous in the extreme, and shews that we have not really the fear of God before our eyes. Nor is the testimony of conscience easily obtained. Sometimes, indeed, it speaks instantly, and without much previous consultation : and in that case its testimony is almost always according to truth ; and a man will do well in paying especial respect to such spontaneous motions of the monitor tvithin him. But, for the most part, it requires time to make a fair statement of the circumstances of which the conscience is to judge : and in such cases, if they have respect to God only, we should consider attentively the conduct of our blessed Lord and his Apostles on similar occasions : or, if they have respect to man, then should we in all cases change places, as it were, with the person concerned ; that so we may judge with more candour than we are likely to exercise, if we stand altogether on our own ground; because our judgment is but too likely to be warped by self-love and sinful partiality. We should never forget, that, " if we doubt of the lawfulness of any thing, we are self-condemned if we do it; since whatsoever is not of faith, is sin1." We should pause therefore, and deliberate, till we see our way clear ; and determine, if possible, not to do any thing till " we are fully persuaded in our own minds™."]
3. To keep it upright and tender — [Conscience may easily be warped, yea, and silenced too ; so that it shall give no testimony whatever, till it is awaked by some flagrant enormity, or by some peculiar occurrence. If we go and consult worldly advisers, they will of course justify the ways which they wish us to follow : and if we listen to the voice of interest or inclination within us, we may soon be furnished with reasons enough for prosecuting the line which they would prescribe. They will tell us, that the object for which they plead is commonly approved by all in our circum- stances: that we need not give way, except on this or that particular occasion: that to hold out against the wishes and solicitations of our friends can be ascribed to nothing but spiritual pride, and will give just offence to those whom we are bound to please ; and that, in fact, our preciseness will only offend those whom we ought rather to conciliate, and make religion hateful to those whose eternal welfare we wish rather to promote. A thousand arguments of this kind will be pre- sented to our minds, either by our worldly friends, or by our own carnal hearts ; and by them we may persuade conscience to alter its sentence, and to sanction our ways : and, after a time, we may so blind and sear our conscience, that it shall no longer perform its proper office. But to effect this, is to
1 ver. 23. m ver. 5.