herein consists as I conceiue it in a practicall Syllogisme the maior and proposition whereof ariseth from the Synteresis or treasury of morall principles and of sacred rules wherewith the practicall vnderstanding is furnished for the sauing direction of vs in all actions The minor or assumption is properly Syneidesis-conscience that is an actuall application of our knowledge to this or that particular act or obiect whence followes the immediate and necessary issue and office of conscience to testifie in respect of things simply done or not done in respect of things to be done either to excite and incourage or to restraine and bridle in respect of things done well or wickedly to excuse and comfort or accuse and terrifie As for example thus it reasoneth against lying Euery lyar shall be banished from the holy Mountaine of the Lord and barred out of the new Ierusalem as the Synteresis from Psal 15. and Reu. 21. supplyeth the proposition But I haue thus and thus lyed for aduantage as the conscience of the lyar telleth him making the assumption Therefore I shall be banished from the holy Mountaine of the Lord c. A conclusion full of terrour And as the liar is thus of his sinne and punishment due vnto the same conuinced So the vpright liuer on the other side may thus by consciences-reasoning be comforted Euery one that desireth in heart and indeuoureth in life to walke vprightly before God and men shall rest in Gods holy Hill But I as the conscience of the godly man telleth him doe thus desire and indeuour to walke vprightly Therefore I shall rest in Gods holy Hill A conclusion full of life and consolation God grant vs such consciences as may inable vs to make such conclusions To this principall end haue my poore indeuours in this ensuing Discourse been especially directed wherein because I know this age to be full of science penurious of conscience and Gods schoole to be more of affection then vnderstanding therefore haue I the lesse studyed by variety of choyce doctrines to giue edge to the iudgement accounting it more necessary to be instant in exhortation and frequent in the vse and application of some few pregnant poynts for the whetting vp of the will and affection to holy duties and warming of the heart with liuely deuotion in the practice of Christianity Glad I would be If I could but bring a pin or two towards the decking of Christs Spouse whilest others out of their abundance adorne her with costly Robes and rich ornaments Howsoeuer it be I haue done my best by the assistance of his grace to the praise of his glory and according to the nature of my Text haue often and earnestly pressed vpon Christians this necessary duty of expressing in their conscionable conuersation the sauing power of inward sanctimony and the truth of a sound conuersion aiming here and there and euery where generally at this that the slumbring conscience might be awaked the erronious better informed the tender confirmed the sad and heauie comforted and all some way or other benefited Which benefit of my vnworthy labours if any any way haue obtained let the goodnesse of God be duly glorified and praised and in their best vowes and prayers for the family of the faithfull let me his vnworthiest seruant be remembred In hope hereof I rest theirs and Thine in the Lord Iesus to be commanded RICH. CARPENTER THE CONSCIONABLE CHRISTIAN Preached at Charde March 4. The Text Acts 24. 16. And heerein or in this therefore doe I indeuour my selfe to haue alwayes a cleare or inoffensiue conscience towards God and men RIGHT HONOVRABLE IF it be sufficient to accuse who shall bee innocent Not Saint Paul himselfe though neuer so faithfull in his function neuer so sincere and vpright in his conuersation Wee finde him as many times elsewhere so heere in this Chapter called in question for his life and doctrine too before Felix the Gouernour and at once accused of both and abused in both by Tertullus a mercenary Oâ—â—â—our who making bâ—â—â—attery his Rhetoricke and bold lying his Logicke beginning with the one and concluding with the other layeth to Saint Pauls charge no maruell then if zealous Ministers taste of the same cup in this last and worst age that hee was a pestilent fellow a moouer of sedition a maintainer of sects and a polluter of the Temple To all which obiected crimes or rather forged calumnies the blessed Apostle with great patience and no lesse confidence pleadeth not guilty hauing by pregnant reasons powerful arguments refelled those vniust imputations with a victorious grace proceedeth to the ingenious confession of his faith and course of life and thus in effect saith As concerning my Religion bee it knowne that after the way which my aduersaries call heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that only true God with a true heart in a true manner not as man hath inuented but as God himselfe hath in his Word prescribed beleeuing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets especially holding fast this assured hope and full perswasion as the maine Basis and principall pillar of my Profession that the resurrection of the dead shall bee both of iust and vniust and that we shall all appeare in that Day before the a 1. Cor. 5. 10. Tribunall of the Sonne of God gloriously visible in the b Luk. 21. 27. forme of the Sonne of man to render an account and to receiue a reward according to our c Reu. 20. 12. deeds In due regard and serious consideration whereof I doe labour and indeuour my selfe to liue vnblameably and to keepe alwayes a good conscience towards God and men For so it followeth in my Text which being by way of Paraphrase somewhat inlarged offereth it selfe to your better apprehension and vnderstanding in these termes And heerein or in this therefore as reuerend Paraph. Text. Beza a long fixed starre in the firmament of our Church expoundeth it doe I Paul the seruant of the Lord and Apostle of Iesus Christ exercise my selfe earnestly indeuour study and striue as a Runner to the goale a Wrestler for the game a due Tasker and Day-labourer for the appointed wages and gaine To haue to keepe and discharge the Originall will beare it well to haue alwayes in all cases in all places vpon all references and occurrences whatsoeuer through the whole tenor of my life a conscience as Monitor of my duties defects bounties blemishes as moderatour of my desires and affections and vnder God principall Commander of all my thoughts speeches and actions Yea Heereunto fully freely actually punctually doe I bend and extend all my sanctified will wit power policy and all to haue alwayes by all meanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an vpright Note cleere acquitting conscience towards God and men that is a conscience voyde of offence not staggering tripping or fayling any way for matter or manner either
in the duties of holinesse and piety towards God or of righteousnesse peace or equity towards men And heerein c. which words being thus expounded by way of diuision offer to the duty of our consideration Three remarkable points of obseruation 1. The first S. Pauls Christian practice and actuall imployment grounded on the hope of the resurrection Heerein therefore doe I exercise my selfe 2. The second is the matter subiect of his Diuision imployment and exercise to haue and preserue an vpright conscience 3. The third is the latitude extent of the same either In respect of time to haue a good conscience alwayes In respect of the obiects to haue and discharge a good conscience towards God Men. THe blessed Apostle confesseth in the verse Illustr Text. foregoing my Text that he confidently beleeued the doctrine of the Resurrection and therfore in a well groūded expectation therof professeth himselfe heere studious of a godly life and vnblameable conuersation Hee had well learned that Christianity consisted not in idle speculation but industrious negotiation and therefore sets to the worke not doing it by a Deputy or putting it ouer to after-times but for the present without doubt or delay exerciseth himselfe Heerein I exercise my selfe He vnderstood well enough that the best duties required the greatest diligence and therefore vltimata voluntate with all might and maine exerciseth himselfe in this to haue alwayes an vpright conscience Hee knew that to make a shew of deuotion and piety towards God and not to procure things honest in the sight of men sauoured of hypocrisie and on the contrary to obserue a kind of peaceable truth and plausible equity in our dealing with men and to be regardlesse of Religion and Zeale in matters of Gods worship was no other then prophane formality and therefore with a settled resolution indeuoureth to hold a concurrence and correspondencie of both in their order that is first to approoue the truth and sincerity of his seruice in all duties Diuine towards God and then with all diligence and dexterity to performe all humane dues and duties towards men These Right Honourable and Beloued are the seuerall bounds and limits of my intended Meditations on this Text answerable to the seuerall limmes and lineaments of S. Pauls holy practice and profession shaddowed forth therein for the more liuely describing and portraying of which in their proper colours and proportions three generall doctrines and instructions 3. Doct. obs are principally to bee obserued Whereof the first resulteth and issueth from the motiue The second from the manner The third from the matter of Saint Pauls religious exercise and imployment as in order they offer themselues to bee handled The first Doctrine arising from the motiue 1. Doct. to wit the hope Saint Paul had of the resurrection of iust and vniust is this That the assured hope and settled expectancy of the day of Resurrection and Iudgement to come when we shall render account and receiue a reward according to our deeds is and ought to bee a forcible allectiue to draw on Christians to the earnest pursuit of godlinesse and constant practice of true Religion Tolle spem Resurrectionis Chrys in 24. Mat. saith golden-mouthed Chrysostome resoluta est omnis obseruantia pietatis Take away the hope of the Resurrection and the building of piety wanteth her foundation For vpon this foundation all the Apostles haue builded their exhortations to amendment of life and sanctification as Saint Paul Acts 17. Now God admonisheth Acts 17. 30. 1. Thes 4. 2. Tit. 11. all men euery where to repent because he hath appointed a Day in which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse And 1. Iohn 3. 1. Ioh. 3. 3. Wee know when Christ Iesus shall appeare wee shall bee like him and euery one that hath this hope purgeth himselfe as he is pure So S. Peter Seeing the Heauens shall passe with a 2. Pet. 3. 11. noise the Elements melt with heate and all these things be dissolued what manner of persons Vers 14. ought yee to bee in holy conuersation and godlinesse Yea seeing that ye looke for these things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace and blamelesse in that Day The expectation of which Day called the Day of Restauration Acts. 3. 21. of all things hath euer beene is and will be to such as feare God a forcible prouocation to vertuous atchieuements and religious actions Then then indeed runs a man cheerefully in the Race of Christianity when hee knowes that he runs not at vncertainety Tolle Bernard viatori spem perueniendi continuò franguntur vires ambulandi He blunts the edge of industry that denies recompence and where there is no apprehension of a Day of remuneration there is little care of proficiency or striuing to perfection For to reason as the Apostle doth Reason 1 Phil. 3. How can we dwelling on earth desire Phil. 3. 20 21. to haue our conuersation in heauen if we looke not for the second comming of our Sauiour and how can we looke for his comming except we beleeue the Resurrection and how can we beleeue the Resurrection vnlesse wee acknowledge that power by which he is able to subdue all things to himselfe Againe How doe wee acknowledge our God to bee Almighty in power without the faith of the Resurrection and how can wee haue the faith of the Resurrection without the hope of a Sauiour and how can we haue hope of a Sauiour without an heauenly conuersation So that the life of this conuersation is hope by which wee expect the comming of a Sauiour and the ground of this hope is faith by which wee are assured that at his comming hee will change our vile bodies and make them like to his glorious Body and the reason of this faith beyond reason is his power by which hee is able to accomplish all things after his good will and pleasure All these be linkes so diuinely hanging and depending each on other in that golden chaine of the Apostle that if we let slip one we lose the comfortable hold-fast of all but good Christians misse not of any but established in faith rooted in hope and abounding in loue set forward in an holy course of life and follow hard towards Phil. 3. 14. the Marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ knowing that they are begotten by the immortall seed of the Word in the bosome 1. Pet. 1. 3. of the Church Militant on earth to a liuely hope of an inheritance immortall and vndefiled in the Church Triumphant in heauen Reason 2 This hope as it giueth vs an edge that wee should earnestly affect couet spirituall things so doeth it giue vs a backe also to indure all things for why doe the seruants of God beare crosses and losses so patiently abstaine from euill so carefully pursue the things that are good so cheerefully but because
Isa 57. 21. is no peace to the wicked saith my God no true peace either in life or death Lateri haeret laethalis arundo The griping gnawing and neuer dying Worme of an accusing conscience euery where tormenteth them and executeth the sentence of remedilesse condemnation vpon them so that being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 selfe-condemned Tit. 3. 11. through the guilt of their sinnes as Cain Iudas Herod and Felix were and as credible Histories Acts 24. declare Bessus for secret killing of his father Bassianus of his brother Orestes of his mother and Richard the third of his nephewes to haue beene they leade heere a life euer-dying and feele as it were a death neuer-ending which is no other but a fore-runner of that supreme and finall doome which God who will iustifie the sentence and execution of conscience shall in that great Day of Iudgement passe peremptorily on all the wilfully-disobedient transgressors of his Commandements Vse Take we heed then that wee neglect not the checks of conscience when wee are bent vnto sinne nor despise the iudgement of conscience when we haue sinned but make haste by repentance in faith to be reconciled to God and it for otherwise God will ratifie the sentence of conscience at the last Day on all impenitent sinners and albeit now many such by their wealth and hearts ease are rockt asleepe by iesting merry tales eating drinking and gaming are cast into a spirit of slumber yea although the vnruly perturbations of their worldly lusts and affections be now so lowd that the voyce of their conscience condemning their wicked wayes and workes cannot bee heard yet the Day shall come and it will be a dreadfull Day for them when these worldly negotiations shall cease and all fleshly perturbations shall be silent and conscience shall be so shrill that they shall both heare it and be thryld at it and gnash Reuel 16. 11. with their teeth and gnaw their tongues for indignation to see how God taketh part with it against them O what horrour and confusion shall then couer the faces of such as by a multitude of carnall pleasures and worldly cares and affaires drowne and cry downe the voyce of conscience by which their euill wayes and workes are condemned as the Drums and Tabrets 2. King 23. 10. in the sacrifices of Molech did the cry of the infants which in Tophet were burned But on the other side O what honour and exaltation shall crowne the heads of those which heare and obey the voyce of conscience by the light of Gods Word rightly informed which lend their eares whilest this good Cassandra spends her tongue and by her in all their actions are willingly guided and directed And so much if not too much may suffice to haue beene spoken generally of conscience it selfe as in her nature properties and offices in her power command and Soueraignty she is considered to bee great Now by Gods assistance vnder the conduct 2. Part. of his feare and your fauour I will proceed to commend to your view and entertainement especially an vpright conscience as in her causes and effects her proiects and priuiledges she is found to bee singularly good and that 1. Bernard Bona conscientia turbata 2. Bona conscientia tranquilla not as she is in continuall conflict with the flesh rebelling against the Spirit and so afflicted with the sanctified dolours of the new birth but as it is after regeneration quieted with the sence of remission of sinnes and reconciliation to God in Christ and so excusing cleering chearing and comforting the soule of the sound Christian In respect whereof some call it The Paradise of the soule The Iubile of the heart Laetitia cordis quasi latitia A surpassing inward solace so dilating and inlarging the heart for some good in possession more in expectation that the ioy thereof cannot well bee suppressed or expressed And hence in a common popular apprehension it is said to bee a ioyfull remembrance of a well led life ioyned with an hopefull expectation of a comfortable death and glorious resurrection S. Paul in respect of the mindes tranquillity Phil. 4. 7. inioyed thereby termeth it a peace which passeth all vnderstanding like to the hidden Manna and white stone wherein a name was written which no man knoweth but hee that inioyeth it Reuel 2. 17. Salomon that kingly Reu. 2. 17. Preacher pointing at the peerelesse pleasure and immutable comfort of a good conscience compares it to a continuall feast farre excelling Pro. 15. 15. Mishteh tamid the royall feast of Ahashuerus which lasted but nine-skore dayes for this feast of a good conscience whereat the Angels are Cookes and Butlers and the blessed Trinity gladsome ghests as Luther boldly speakes without intermission Luth. in Gal. of solace or interruption of society is a continuall feast A feast in life and health refreshing the soule with dainty cates of diuine comforts A feast in sicknesse when worldlings hopes hang downe their heads like a Bulrush and lag like a Ruffians starcht Ruffe in a storme of raine yea in death a feast when comfort is worth a world and all worldly comforts and comforters forsake vs yea in the Day of Resurrection and after that Day when all these shaddowes shall flie away a feast for euermore No maruell then that Saint Bernard being rapt and rauished heerewith breaketh foorth into the singular commendation of the admirable endowments thereof saying Bona conscientia est Be◠in form hon vit titulus religionis templum Salomonis ager Benedictionis hortus deliciarum gaudium Angelorum c. A good conscience is the Title and Crowne of Religion the Temple of Salomon the field of Benediction the Garden of delight the ioy of Angels and Sanctuary of the holy Ghost c. But because these the like allusiue notions of a good conscience frequent in the Fathers are magis sloridae quà m solidae more pregnant for wit then profitable for present vse I will say to them as Iehu to the messenger of Iehoram 2. Kin. 9. 18. 2. King 9. Turne behind me and will take hold of that more sound description thereof by Isiodore affirming that a cleere or inoffensiue conscience is such a one Quae nec de praeterito iustè accusatur Isiod in 2. l. soli loq nec de praesenti iniustè delectatur nec de futuro sollicitè perturbatur that is which is neither iustly accused for things past nor vnlawfully delighted with things present nor anxiously troubled for things to come This clearing chearing conscience and that Note perfectly good Adam only had in his Creation whilest in Paradise hee walked with God without sinne and without feare in the state of innocency But now there is no way to come to it to attaine and haue a quiet conscience and that but imperfectly good after regeneration but onely by the mediation and reconciliation of Christ Being iustified by faith in
there is no true repentance there is no true faith no true faith no true Christ no true Christ no true remission of sinnes no true remission of sinnes no true peace of conscience grounded vpon the assured sense and inward feeling of the same But rather the grace of Christ redeeming the loue of the Father electing and the comfortable fellowship of the holy Ghost quieting the conscience is farre off from them which continue in their sinnes and stand out as rebels in their disobedience against God The rule is ancient and true Bona conscientia Aug. non stat cum proposito peccandi a good conscience cannot stand with a purpose of sinning or with irresolution against sinne but is armed thorowout with a resolute determination wittingly and willingly to sinne no more accounting it a mockery to cry Peccaui and mourne for sinnes past with a meaning to sinne againe in the like yea a most ridiculous folly like to the Shipmans continuall labouring at the pumpe without any care to mend the leake Wherefore as we desire to liue in the lawfull peace of an vpright conscience so let it be our chiefest care to inure our selues to the practice of repentance and obedience The practice of which to speake briefly of them ioyntly consists not in pretending as the manner of many is a good heart without fruits of amendment for that is but vanity or in making some outward shew of reformation without purging the heart and affections for that is but hypocrisie or in exchanging of sinnes to wit of prodigality or prophanenesse in youth for couetousnesse and Popery in age for that is but irreligious mockery But in an inward lothing from the heart and an outward leauing in the course of our life of all such knowne sinnes wherein we haue formerly liued and delighted and also in an earnest desire of the heart and constant indeuour in our life and conuersation to practise all duties of piety charity which in our seuerall places and callings are required T is not sufficient to put off the old man to cast away the weapons Eph. 4 22. of darkenesse and to abhorre and remooue Col. 3. 10. what is euill but we must put on the New man Rom. 13. take vnto vs the Armour of light and cleaue to Rom. 12 9. that which is good T is commendable with the repentant Prodigall to forsake our former riotous Luk. 15. luxurious and offensiue liuing and to returne to our Fathers home for this mends the matter but it is much more comfortable and complete after the shaking off of the ragges of sinne to put on the robes of Righteousnesse and Garments of Saluation for this perfecteth the match and accomplisheth the marriage betwixt Christ and vs and heereby shall we giue testimony to others and to our selues and our owne soules that we are penitent and obedient Christians and so bring wonderfull peace and comfort to our consciences For when a Christian inriched with these spirituall graces of true knowledge and faith shall thus proceed in the carefull practice of these holy duties of repentance and obedience then his conscience which otherwise would looke sterne vpon him begins to smile to speak sweetly to him to conuerse amiably with him to clap him on the backe applaud him exceedingly exhilarate and refresh him To which purpose S. Bernard speakes excellently Vis O Bern. homo semper epulari vis nunquam tristis esse benè viue Wilt thou O man neuer be sad wilt thou turne the whole yeere into a merry Christ-tide liue well then Fiat iustitia saith Saint Austin Aug. habebis pacem Eschew euill and doe good Psal 34. 13. and thou needest not seeke peace and ensue it Psal 85. 11. Psal 34. for peace will finde thee and kisse righteousnesse wheresoeuer shee finds it Doe Iustice loue mercy humble thy selfe and walke with thy God as Enoch did Gen. 5. doing all things as in Gods sight For this is the direct Micah 6. 8. way to the obtaining and maintaining of a conscience comfortably good the voyce of ioy and Psal 118. 15. deliuerance shall be in the Tabernacles of the righteous saith the Psalmist and the worke of Esa 32. 17. Iustice shall bring peace and quietnesse Esa 32. and it cannot be otherwise but that Melchisedec the King of righteousnesse which walkes sincerely should also be Prince of Salem and walke confidently peaceably securely Synceritas Serenitatis Isiod mater est sine qua tranquillitas omnis tempestas est Sincerity is the mother of true tranquillity and without it all carnall rest is as a dangerous Lethargie Sincerity as it is of all vertues the girdle and most acceptable to God Eph. 6. 14. whose vnfained obedience it implyeth so it is most profitable in all dangers trials and temptations to man whose peace it worketh and in whom it begetteth a Lyon-like boldnesse as Salomon speaketh The righteous is as bold as a Pro. 28. 1. Lyon This cannot be put out of countenance by the false accusations of slanderous tongues it throweth them off as Paul did the Viper from Act. 28. 5. his hand vnhurt This saith with Saint Paul I passe not for mans iudgement 1. Cor. 4. and 1. Cor. 4. 3. Iob 31. 35. with Iob Though mine aduersary would write a Booke against mee I would take it vpon my shoulder and binde it as a crowne vnto mee What made Iob so confident Surely it was the vprightnesse of his heart his sincere obedience and innocency which he saith he will hold fast Iob 27. 6. and not forsake lest his heart should reprooue him and his conscience trouble checke him Vse Wherefore as hee that will saile safely must looke as well to the balast of his Ship as to his sailes So if you will saile safely in the Ship of a good conscience to the Port and Hauen of heauen you must not onely looke that there bee soundnesse in your knowledge and faith which are as sailes hoysted vp to make foorth for the prize but also that there be sincerity in your repentance and obedience which are as the soules balast to moderate her pace lest shee dash against the Rocks of presumption and to this end vse that safe and sauing method by a learned Father prescribed When thou art Aug. tempted to sinne set before thee the weight of sinne the wound of conscience the wrath of God which is as a flaming fire and remember Rom. 2. that tribulation and anguish shall be vpon euery soule that sinneth Rom. 2. And let this be vnto thee a strong bridle and retentiue from vice and againe when thou beginnest to bee weary and drowzy in Gods seruice thinke vpon the blessed recompence of well-doing and consider that to them which by continuance in doing well seeke glory and honour there shall be giuen eternall life and immortality and let this be a sharpe-pointed spurre and motiue
the hauing and holding of an vpright conscience within you Doe all things as in Gods presence cherish true sauing-faith by often hearing and reading of the Word and the frequent practice of Prayer and true repentance inure your selues by religious exercises to a kind of familiarity with God that the assurance of his loue in Christ and the comforts thereof be not interrupted walke carefully in your particular callings to the glory of God and the common good auoyding as serpents couetousnesse and ambition which make men set their consciences on tenters and stretch like cheuerill and because at the great and generall Assises sentence shall passe and Iudgement be awarded according to the things written in the Booke of euery mans conscience take we heed Reu. 20. 13. that these Bookes of account bee kept vnblurred vnpolluted pure and cleane from presumptuous sinnes which are the cut-throate of the soule and offensiue in Gods sight In a word let this be your wish aboue all wishes and herein make sure worke come of the rest what will that by the effusion of Christs Blood for you and infusion of his Spirit into you you may inioy this pleasant and peaceable portion of a good conscience which is more highly to bee esteemed of and held at a dearer rate then the Merchants precious Pearle for which as it is Mat. 13. 46. in the Parable he sold all that he had in comparison whereof the things that are in the worlds eye most aduantageable vnto vs are to be accounted losse and iudged as dung that we Phil. 3. 7. may win it Let others say Who wil shew vs any good Yet Lord lift thou vp the light of thy Psal 4. countenance vpon vs. Let others content themselues with a portion in this life whose bellies Psal 17. 14 15. thou fillest with thy hid treasure but let vs O Lord behold thy face in righteousnesse and in the glasse of a good conscience heere on earth so when we awake in the day of Resurrection we shall be satisfied with thine Image rauished with seeing and secured for retaining thy glorious presence in heauen All earthly ioyes and treasures without this of a good conscience are but as so many ponderous waights to giue poize to the soule to sinke it to hell But with this all outward helpes for present maintenance are as so many Promooters and Proctors for the future inheritance giuing vs not onely wings of a Doue or an Eagle but of an Angel to ascend into heauen With this heauenly treasure then of an vpright conscience whosoeuer amongst vs O that there were many such is really possessed to speake plainely in the phrase of the holy Ghost he is without controuersie richly yea royally blessed * Sola conscientia virtutum praestat gaudium verum perpetuum Caeterae hilaritates frontem remittunt cor non implent Sen. in Ep. 23. Hee need not enuy the rich Corne-hoorders barnes inlarged and goods increasing or the Gluttons purple rayment and delicious feeding or the greatnesse of the greatest Potentate arrayed in robes of State powdered with Pearle and boasting with Nebuchadnezzar of his power and stately building No Hee need not enuy the magnificent pompe and vsurped Oecumenicall power of that triple-crowned ruffling Priest of Rome that Meridianus Daemon as Bernard calls Antichrist who to giue life to the image of the Beast seekes as Reu. 13. 15. much as in him lieth to make the Lord of life exhaeredem vineae exhaeredem vitae riding on mens shoulders treading on Emperours necks and swimming in his Orcipotent Sea with the bladders of intolerable pride and insolency No no Vix vnius assis Nec pretio pluris mundana haec omnia ducit For carryed in the triumphant Chariot of a cleare conscience and aduanced farre aboue these painted Pageants of things sublunary and perishing with Gods leaue and loue he inioyeth a selfe-sufficient happinesse in health and sickenesse in life and death and after death euer-induring Vse O happy then and thrice happy we if as S. 1. Cor. 1. 12. Pauls was so our reioycing and glory bee in the testimony of a good conscience if in truth wee can doe as in all his tryalls he did hold foorth this testimony as a shield of defence and flag of defiance against all scandalous imputations and Acts 23. 24. 25. aspersions if we can truely say as he said Wee are assured that we haue a good conscience desiring in all things to liue honestly Heb. 13. 18. or duely indeuour as hee in my Text indeuoured to haue a good conscience alwayes towards God Text. 3. part and men Which words importing the latitude or extent of a good conscience in respect of time and the obiects thereof come now very fitly to bee handled wherein I will labour to preuent your wearinesse First of the time and duration of the Apostles indeuour and exercise to haue a good conscience namely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alwayes being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Alwayes Scholiast hath it being in all things euery manner of way so farre as humane frailty did not let inoffensiue and vnblameable indeuouring at all times through the whole tenor of his life Non pro vsura exigui temporis aut pro primis Caluin tantum diebus sed omnibus diebus vitae post conuersionem as Caluin renders it to bee vprightly conscionable conscionably vpright Doct. 8 So that this word Alwayes imports constancie and equality without remissenesse or partiality In the life of man and course of his calling there are many turnings references occurrences opportunities importunities and diuers respects in all which at euery turne to bee the same man requires the strength of a good conscience A child or weakeling may take two or three steps well and walke somewhat euenly but to turne hither and thither vp and downe with actiuenesse and dexterity and to maintaine the thorow pace or race with settled constancie and alacrity argues the metall and making of a very strong man Such an one was our Apostle in the race of Christianity after his conuersion as appeareth by his Triumphant Epinichion 2. Tim. 4. I haue fought a good fight 2. Tim. 4. 7. kept the faith finished my course c. and by his confident protestation Acts 23. 1. I haue Acts 23. 1. serued God with a good conscience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thorowout vnto this day Alwayes without stumbling without offence as it is in my Text c. Which is not so precisely to bee vnderstood Reas double as if he had beene alwayes indowed with an equall good disposition to godly duties and had neuer slipt or slept through humane infirmity For as the Spouse of Christ confesseth Cant. 5. ◠of her selfe I sleepe but my heart waketh and so condemneth her drowzinesse in the flesh notwithstanding her watchfulnesse in the Spirit So S. Paul Rom. 7. complaineth on himselfe Rom. 7. 19. that
in regard of the combate which is betwixt the flesh and the Spirit in the most Regenerate he did sometimes the euill hee would not and did not at other times the good hee would and so was vnwillingly defectiue through natures frailty and weaknesse but yee not wittingly offensiue through sins malignity and peruersenes For the power of a good consciēce preserued him so vpright that as a square Cube or homo quadratus he was the same which way soeuer he were turned to God or man to company or himselfe alone vpon all occasions and occurrences he held his owne and desired alwayes in all things to walke honestly Heb. 13. 18. Vse It is farre otherwise God knowes and experience shewes in too many now adayes which haue weake crazy consciences and as distempered braines their turbida lucida interualla their good and euill dayes who like Mercury amongst the Planets are of a variable constitution fast and loose strict in some things loose in other godly in one company and prophane in another vp and downe off and on in and out almost at euery turne who can indifferently brooke all companies and conuerse with all manner of persons If they be ruffians blasphemers drunkards they can play the good fellowes with them If they be good men which feare God they will discourse of poynts of Religion and adioyne themselues to their society as if there were good agreement betwixt light and darknesse righteousnesse and vnrighteousnesse God in the one and Belial in the other To speake to the present occasion In the cause and case of Titius their kinsman or rich friend and neighbour they can be precise and peremptorily forward by all meanes to promote it But in as good a suite and iust a cause of Sempronius a stranger or meane-stated-man they will bee retchlesse and remisse not caring how hee bee wronged in it I would to God the consciences of more then a good many of our Magistrates were not such but commonly such they are who though they professe and pretend that in places of Iudicature they will heare the suites of poore and rich with equall patience and attention examine and censure all controuersies indifferently without preiudice partiality and needlesse protraction yet when it comes to proofe they prooue farre otherwise and like in truth to a fishing rod which standeth straight when a Menow or Gogin or smal fish is taken but boweth and bendeth and the line sometimes breaketh too when a Peale or great fish is to be drawne vp So when the Law hath canuased and caught a poore man being persecuted by the rich then iust Iudgment proceedeth speedily but when the rich and mighty ones are haply taken in their ouer-takings and lawlesse dealings and brought within compasse of the Lawes censure then O cruell pity there is much yeelding bending bowing and sometimes breaking too to free them from the penalty and vigour of the Law c. Neither is this the fault only of some chiefe Magistrates and ministers of iudgement but the vsuall preuarication of many mercenary Lawyers Iurors witnesses and such like instruments of Iustice whose weake consciences at the command of gaine or greatnesse as at the view of Medusaes stupifying head either stretch as Chiuerell in the raine or shriuell vp as parchment against the fire and so giue way if not warrant to the works of iniustice whereby innocency is wronged good lawes are deluded godly men dis-heartened and God himselfe dishonoured And here I could open a mystery of iniquity and shew quibus apicibus appendicibus iuris innocens torquetur à causidico dum causa torquet nocentem that is with what quirkes and trickes the innocent party is by the Lawyer wrung and put to the worst notwithstanding the goodnes of his cause and the Law it selfe hath driuen his aduersary to the wall Yea I could iustly inueigh against the dreadfull licence of inferences amongst our English pleaders in cases criminall whereby it often comes to passe that vpon very nice poynts innocents haue bin condemned as Edward Earle of Warwick was in Henry the seuenths dayes and the Duke of Somerset in Henry the sixths c. Yea I could here exhibit a bill of wofull complaint in the name of many poore impotent innocent men and women First against those aduocates which with their Clyents great cost and their owne small conscience maintaine contentions because contentions maintaine them and by English delayes worse then Spanish Strapados Marnix protract their suits in Law till they bee non-suted of life Secondly against those Iurates and witnesses which without heed-taking to their hearts that they conceiue no malice to their hands that they receiue no bribes to their eares that they heare no false accusation to their eyes that they see no wrong to their feet that they be not swift to shead blood as if all these outward senses of the body and the inward powers of the soule too were wholly corrupted doe without care or conscience feare of God or reuerence of man giue either Prou. 19. 28. vniust verdict in the cause or false euidence against the persons of their brethren and neighbours euen as by their passions they are ouerswayed 1. Kin. 21. or ouerwaighed by the purse or by their friends intreated or by their fellowes in Exod. 23. 2. euill perswaded These are sores which had need to be lanced that in time they might bee cured But because your Honours haue proceeded in some degrees of roundnesse against these inormities as you meet with them in your Circuit resounding onely in your eares what the Smith did in the Lantsgraues when he thought him too mild Durescite durescite for immedicabile vulnus-Ense recidendum est ne pars syncera trahatur I here refraine from further agitation of them or exclamation against them in particular not ceasing yet to admonish in generall all such as finde themselues guilty of so corrupt dealings and cursed doings that they blot out of the booke of conscience their sinnes by repentance and by vnfained sorrow of humbled contrite hearts deprecate the iudgements due vnto them for the same and for the time to come beware of doing more harme to a man for a little pelfe then euer they can doe him good againe with all their policy or power Beware of cutting asunder the sinewes of the Common-wealth and of poysoning the pure breath it drawes by peruerting Iustice and abuse of the Lawes Take heede by the bloody end of Ahab and his seed that yee seeke 1. King 21. 20. not vnder colour of Law to rob your neighbour of his field and life For though Naboth thy neighbour be dead and cannot be reuenged of thee yet thy conscience the Lords Ambassadour will meet thee as Elias did Ahab and tell thee Thou hast sold thy selfe to worke wickednesse abominable and bring thee tidings of vengeance vnauoydable Be warned by the tragicall issue of Iudas his treason that either to Math. 27. 5. please
towards men a good conscience requireth and inioyneth as well as the other of holinesse filiall feare and religious worship towards God and so requireth and exacteth both in all that it will not haue either the one to wit Holinesse to be snuffing Mal. 1. 13. puffing short-winded and out of breath as theirs was Mal. 1. Or the other to wit Righteousnesse to be as a morning cloud soone scattered Hos 6. 4. and dissolued as theirs was Hos 6. But both lasting and induring 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alwayes for all the dayes of our life that in an holy kinde of righteousnesse and a righteous kind of holinesse we serue God from day to day as long as there is a day left to serue him in and that so we may bee pure and without offence vntill the Day of the Lord filled with the fruits of Righteousnesse and Holinesse which are by Iesus Christ vnto the glory and praise of God Phil. 1. 11. So then to make a corollary of the premises and a recollection of that which at diuers times before you hath beene deliuered concerning the hauing and discharging of a good conscience alwayes towards God and men I will now for your better instruction and edification humbly commend to your sanctified memories obseruation and imitation too this Summary conclusion as a liuely Character of a sound conscionable Christian A sound conscionable Christian is he who The Character of a conscionable Christian hauing his conscience inlightened by sauing knowledge in Gods Word and purged by faith in Christs Blood from the guilt and punishment of sinne and from dead workes to serue the liuing Lord walketh cheerefully and constantly in the way of life which God hath chalked foorth vnto him not wishing it to bee wider or smoother but going on therein vprightly and freely neither stooping vnder the burthen of a willing sinne nor fettered with the gieues of vniust scruples He alwayes pondereth his paths and ordereth his wayes aright not regarding so much to be applauded of men as to bee approoued of God not looking so much to what hee might doe by his power as what he ought to doe for his praise being neither voluntary Agent nor forced Instrument in that which is vnlawfull to bee done but holding all his sences and members within Couenants for their good behauiour in that behalfe If his wisedome and vertue aduance him to any place or office of command and authority he glorieth not therein as in a Chaire of State or Farme of commodity but is glad thereof onely as a meanes of furthering his reckoning and pleasuring his Countrey wherein he wisely and worthily demeaneth himselfe so cherishing and countenancing wheresoeuer hee comes and hath to doe religious sober and honest liuers that hee dares not affoord a good looke to naughty Varlets and notorious offenders Hee waigheth all matters not according to the common beame of custome and opinion but at the golden Standard of Gods Sanctuary Truth hee exerciseth as well in the censure of persons as iudgement of things and will not iustifie the wicked through bribery or flattery neither condemne the righteous through malice or enuy for a world Being called therunto he giueth plaine testimony to the truth as well for smal as great stranger as brother and oweth so much to the Author of truth that he will not paint potsheards and say Falshood is truth or truth falshood Good euil or euill good for any feare or fauour whatsoeuer According to his meanes and ability he keepeth his house well and therein is mercifull and bounteous but his Church better and therein is deuout and religious hee looketh so to the Church that the Common-wealth receiues no detriment and so maintaines holinesse and piety in the one that he neglects not vpright dealing and equity in the other turne him what way soeuer you will hee is euer the same and will doe well turne him to God to his neighbour to company to himselfe alone put him in office out of office turne him loose to all occasions references and occurrences hee holds his owne and walkes honestly honourably warily worthily praise-worthily in all things and wil not to gaine any thing though neuer so precious leape ouer the pales or goe out of the Paradise of a good conscience In a word all his dealings are square and aboue the boord in his promises and payments hee keepeth day and touch his word is his parchment his yea his oath which he will not violate for any feare or losse hee is a faithfull Clyent of truth and honesty and in the plaine way thereof goeth on confidently and will either triumph in his integrity or suffer with it To conclude his soule is euery day dilated and inlarged to receiue God and goodnesse and is so taken vp with heauenly contemplation and contentments that he lookes often as one displeased on earthly pleasures and preferments he is very well prouided for both worlds and is sure of peace and comfort here and of glory and a glorious Kingdome hereafter This this is the sound Christian which hath gotten the inestimable treasure of an vpright conscience that true Diamond which flings beames of solace vpon the soule This is the conscionable man whose praise and reward is of God though the diuell and world storme and burst for enuie Such a one be he Minister or Magistrate be he Witnesse Iuror Clerke or Aduocate whatsoeuer his place or calling be as Dauids souldiers said of him is worth a 2. Sam. 18. 3. thousand of the common sort who feare to haue a name to feare God and to bee charged with sincerity Such a one as you haue heard the elect vessell of grace and lowd Clarion of the Gospell Saint Paul was and according to my Text indeuoured still to be Oh then that in vs the fire of â—â—le for imitation of him could so bee enkinâ—â—â—d that herein and therein conscionably comporting our selues in our seuerall vocations we might euery one for himselfe bee inabled to say truly as well as he Herein doe I indeuour my selfe to haue alwayes an vpright conscience towards God and men Which that wee may all Fathers and Brethren both say and doe let vs humbly and heartily beseech Amighty God of his abundant grace and mercy to grant and for this end to giue to that which hath been deliuered such a generall blessing according to our particular necessities that thereby such consciences as are dead and dull may be quickened such as are blind and erronious may bee inlightened such as are in a slumber may bee awakened such as are tender confirmed such as are heauie and pensiue comforted and all some way or other bettered through the powerfull operation of his gracious Spirit to the eternall praise of his glorious Name in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne and our onely Sauiour to whom with the Father and the holy Ghost bee ascribed all glory and honour now and for euer Amen FINIS