Infer —
1. How careful should we be in every part of our conduct !
[Every thing we do is written in the book of God's re- membrance ; and our own consciences will hereafter, if not now, attest the truth of God's testimony. How anxious then should we be, that every day and every hour should record something good, rather than what will distress us in the day of judgment ! Let us then beg of God to " put truth in our inward parts:" let us exercise ourselves day and night to keep a " conscience void of offence both towards God and man8:" and let us say with Job, " My heart shall not reproach me as long as I live'1."]
2. How attentive should we be to the voice of conscience !
[Conscience, if we would listen to it, would tell us many plain and wholesome truths'. If we would submit to its
a Job x. 7. b John xxi. 17. c Isai. xxxviii. 3.
1 Some think these are two distinct witnesses : but perhaps ////sis the more just view of the matter. See Disc, on Rom. viii. 10. e 1 John iv. 17. f Wiscl. v. 1 . g Acts xxiv. 16.
xxvii. 6. ' Ilom. ii. 15.
reproofs, it would keep us from much evil, and lead us safely to heaven. Let none of us then stifle it, or bribe it, or despise it : but let us rather get it well informed, and cherish with care its salutary admonitions. Let us carefully conform our- selves to its dictates k," and "judge ourselves, that we may not be judged of the Lord1."]
3. How thankfully should we bathe in the fountain of Christ's blood !
[There is not a day or an hour wherein conscience does not contract some defilement : nor is there a probability of pacifying it, but by continual applications to " the blood of sprinkling." Let us then rejoice that there is " a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness ;" and let it be our care day and night to cleanse ourselves in it from every fresh contracted stain. If we neglect this, " our mind and conscience will be defiled™;" but if we " abide in him, we shall have confidence in expectation of his appearance ; nor shall we be ashamed before him at his coming11."]
k Acts xxiii. 1. ' 1 Cor. xi. 31.
»a Tit. i. 15. " 1 John ii. 28.