Romans 9. Verse 1. I say the truth in Christ , I lie not , my conscience also bearing me witnesse in the the holy Ghost .

Verse 2. That I have great heavinesse and continuall sorrow in my heart .

THis excellent Epistle to the Romans written by that famous Apostle Paul , the great Doctor of the Gentiles consisteth of these 3 parts in generall .

1. A Proemium or Introduction . 2. An Institution of Christian Doctrine . 3. A Percration , or conclusion .

Again , in the Institution of Christian doctrine , the Apostle proceedeth in this manner .

1. He handleth the doctrine of Justification , in the 5 first Chapters of this Epistle .

2. He insisteth in the doctrine of Sanctification , in the 6. and 7 th . Chapters .

3. Matter of sweet consolation flowing from the two former , in Chapter the 8 th .

4. He propoundeth and prosecuteth the doctrine of Predestination , in the 9 th . 10 th . and 11 th . Chapters .

5. He proceedeth to matter of Christian exhortation to sundry duties generall and speciall , Chapters 12.13 . &c.

Now in this ninth Chapter , he beginneth the doctrine of Predestination , and openeth that great mystery of godlinesse concerning the rejection of the Jewes , and calling of the Gentiles , and herein we have 3 parts .

1. In the first place we have not onely an insinuation of the Apostles dear and deep affection , and a solemne and serious protestation of the truth of it ; but also a singular manifestation of his most admirable love to the nation of the Jewes ; ( notwithstanding the doctrine he was now about to deliver ) and this is amplified by sundry circumstances , as

1. By the particular passion or affection wherein he manifested his dear love to them , and that is his grief and sorrow for their casting off .

2. The grief he here speaketh of is further amplified by two further circumstances , or adjuncts . viz. 1. The constancy of it . 2. The sinceritie of it .

3. This love of the Apostle to them is further illustrated by the great measure or extent of it , viz. that he could wish himself accursed and separated from Christ in order to procure their salvation .

4. Lastly , by the affectionate and honourable mention that he maketh of the Jewish nation , describing both fully and affectionately all their priviledges and prerogatives , shewing what great cause he had to be so deeply affected with their rejection ; and thus he doth in the 5 first verses of this Chapter .

The second part of the Chapter is touching a vindication of the stabilility and constancy of the Lords promises , though the Jewes were rejected , and the defending of that promise of God for the stability of it , against all cavils and all erring spirits , and all humane reasonings that may be brought to the contrary , and that from the 6. verse to the 24. The third part is a declaration of that wonderfull and deep mystery held from the beginning of the world concerning the calling of the Gentiles , and rejection of the Jews , which was a thing foretold though men did not understand it , before Paul revealed it unto them , which was foretold by the Prophets , so laid down from the 24. verse , to the end of the Chapter : so you have the chief materials generall in the Chapter : of these in order , and first of the first .

The Apostle being about to propound that which he knew would be taken very harsh and hard , and marvellous displeasing and offensive to the Jews to hear of , he useth a very patheticall insinuation of his love unto the Jews , that he speaks of love , expressing that love by his inward and hearty sorrow for their present estate , and the care that he had for their good , thereby to gain their good will , and not exasperate them against him . And the Apostle being to lay down their rejection , useth a Preface unto it , that the thing he spake was the truth , and for the more force and efficacy of it , he putteth down the contrary , ( and I lie not ) ; and he confirmeth it further by an oath , he calleth Christ to witnesse ( I speak the truth in Christ , I lie not . ) And secondly , he proveth it by the witnesses and testimony of his own conscience , his own conscience bearing witnesse with him ; and this conscience renewed by the holy Ghost , ( mine own conscience bearing witnesse with me in the holy Ghost . ) And then in the second verse he delivereth and putteth down his sorrow , and his grief , and his heavinesse of heart ; and thus he setteth out , by the continuance and greatnesse of it , it was a great sorrow , and a continuall sorrow , and that in his heart and soul , and not a dissembled , fained , or outside sorrow , but in his very heart and soul : there he putteth down the desire of their good in the third verse . And he doth expresse that by a wonderfull strange speech , even by a wish to be separated from Christ for their good , their calling and conversion : Thereby implying their rejection , and not propounding it , for otherwise there was no cause of such a wish to be wished , to be separated from Christ for their sake if they were not rejected ; and therefore he desireth to be anathemated , and accursed from Christ for their good ; and then he setteth down reasons , why he so wished himself to be separated from Christ . First of all because they were his brethren and kinsmen , according to the flesh . Secondly , a more waightier reason then this , because they were the Israelites of God and Gods people , and that he maketh further manifest and plain unto us , by six priviledges vouchsafed unto them , as that unto them was vouchsafed , the ( adoption , the glory , the covenant , the giving of the Law , the service of God , and the promises . ) Thirdly , and lastly , he sheweth the reason and ground of his wish , because of that people of Israel the fathers came , yea Christ Jesus according to the flesh came of them , and was of their seed and line ; of the seed of Abraham , even the Lord Jesus , the Lord of life and glory , whom the Apostle further describeth that he is God over all , and blessed for ever , unto whom the Apostle assenteth , Amen .

Now before we come to open these words , and to handle them particularly , I hold it sit one generall thing be observed , and that may be thus grounded ; the Apostle being about to speak of a thing which would be very harsh and hard , and odious , to the Jewes that they were rejected of God : In wisedome he useth as you see , a patheticall insinuation of his love unto them , it was out of his love , and not of hatred he would have them to know and to take notice of it , that his speech was from the grief of his heart and soul , he had no pleasure in it , but with a desire of their good ; yea , he speaketh it with a desire to be severed from Christ , for their salvation . Now then herein appeareth the wonderfull wisedome of the Apostle , to be imitated of the ministers of the Gospell , and the observation is this , That though Ministers of God must speak such things as they have to speak , ( that are hard , and harsh , and unpleasing , and distasteful to the hearers , as just occasion is offered unto them , ) yet it must be with a signification of their love unto them , and so as their hearers may discern , that those harsh & hard things delivered , are out of love , and to do them good . Ministers of the Gospel , they must not be men pleasers , or daubers , to daube with untempered morter , and draw a fair skin over a foul ulcer , and soothe up men in their sins , for if they so demean themselves , they are not the servants of Christ , Gal. 1.10 . saith Paul , If I please men , I am no true servant of Christ ; but they must tell men plainly of their sins , and of their miserable estate and condition which they are in , in regard of their sinnes , yea they must set things close unto their hearts and souls ; and speak such things as be harsh and hard to their hearers , yet so as it be with an insinuation of their love , and that their hearers may perceive that it cometh of love : We read in Luke 19.43 , 44. Christ Jesus uttereth a very sharp sentence , and heavy doom , that should befall the City of Hierusalem , he telleth them , that the time should come , when their enemies should cast a trench about the City , and compasse it on every side , and should lay the City even to the ground , and all her children in her , and not leave a stone upon a stone , ( a heavy doom ) yet withal , even in the pronouncing of this heavy doom , he spake these heavy things ; how ? the Evangelist saith ( in the 41. and 42 verses ) he spake it with trickling tears in his eyes , and shewed his pity , and compassion : for , he wept for them , saying , Oh I wish that thou hadst known these things that belong unto thy peace , but now they are hid from thine eyes . And in Gal. 3.1 . The Apostle uttereth very hard and harsh things , he calleth them fooles , and bewitched Galathians , that they would not obey the truth revealed unto them : yet in the 15. verse he sheweth this was out of his love , he called them brethren , which before he called fooles and bewitched ; and in Gal. 4.19 . he calleth them little children with whom he travelled in birth , like a mother ; and thus are the Ministers of God to do , in dispencing of harsh and hard things : they are to deal roundly with hearers , and to tell them of their sins , and to speak unpleasing things to their hearers , as just occasion is offered , yet so , as their hearers may discern that they love them , and that it cometh out of the love of the Minister , and out of the pity and compassion , and tender care that they have of them ; though they pronounce harshly .

Ministers must thus do , because their hearers being carnal , Reason . will else take occasion to quarrel with their affection , and to carp against them , saying , they speak out of malice and hatred , and spleen , and out of a distempered humour , unlesse they be mitigated with their love , and so they will reject the reproof that may be for their good , and not profit by it , because it seemeth harsh and displeasing to them : We know a wise Physitian , when he giveth a bitter pill , lappeth it up in sugar , that the patient may more willingly receive it . and the better retain it in his stomack ; so must the Ministers of God in this case , even in delivering harsh and hard things , ( telling them of their sins , and publishing Gods judgments , ) lap them up in the sugared expressions of their love , and good will and desire , and tender compassion of them , that they may be the better received , and their hearers profit by the same .

This concerneth us that are Ministers of the Gospel , Vse : that we thus deal in dispensing of hard and harsh things , such as be displeasing to the eares and hearts of the people , with a signification of their love unto them , we may , and ought to teach hard-hearted impenitent sinners , that they are in the way that leadeth to hell , and that if they go on in that way , without repentance , it is not possible for them to escape the damnation of hell , they are going on in that way , and are sure to come to hell , without repentance ; yet it must be with some insinuation of love , and testification of it : as we must say , I am grieved at the very soul for your miserable estate , oh that you had hearts to consider , and eyes to see that your miserable estate and fearful condition , and the Judgment of God against you ; and to beseech them earnestly , that they would labour to come out of that miserable estate and condition .

Vse 2 And for you that are Hearers , for the use of your part , onely to pray unto God , and to intreat the Lord for us , and to be earnest with God , that the Lord would vouchsafe to guide us by his good Spirit , that we may shew our selves such as are faithful to the Lord that hath sent us , and not such as are studious to speak that which pleaseth men , and soothe them up in their sins . But that the Lord would give us to shew our studious care and indeavour of the peoples good by a signification of hearty love unto them , and tender affection : And as the Prophet saith , Esay 58.1 . We are such as must cry aloud and lift up our voyce like Trumpets ; this you must pray for us .

Vers . 1 Come we now unto these five Verses as they lye in order ; I say the truth in Christ , I lye not , my conscience bearing me witnesse in the Holy Ghost , that I have continual sorrow in my heart , &c. I have given you the annalysis of these words already ; Come we now to the general meaning of them : ( I say the truth in Christ ) The Greek proposition , is here a note of an oath ; the meaning is not , I speak in the name of Christ ; as I am a Christian , or by the authority of Christ , but by Christ ; I call Christ to witnesse , ( I speak the truth , I lye not ) These words the Apostle addeth , both to signifie the sincerity of his heart , that he spake the truth simply and plainly , with an honest and sincere heart , without either mental reservation , or equivocation , not speaking one thing , and meaning another ; and secondly , to add weight to his speech , to make it more ponderous , more weighty , more powerful , and more prevailing , to those that hear it , after the manner of the Hebrews , who for more weight and certainty of speech , put down the thing in the affirmative , and then denyed the contrary in the negative , as it is said in the 1 Sam. 3.18 . when Eli bad Samuel tell him what the Lord had said unto him , it is said , he spake every word , and he hid nothing : so in John 1.20 . it is said of John , that he confessed , and denyed not , but said plainly , he was not the Christ : so this is added for more weight , and ponderousnesse of speech ; as first he spake it without any colloguing or equivocation and secondly , for the weightinesse of his speech , my conscience bearing witnesse ; here the Apostle doth not swear by his Conscience , as some would think , but sheweth , that his conscience was a witnesse , and gave testimony to him , that he spake without collogueing or dissembling : or that his conscience did not smite him , nor touch him for it ; in the holy Ghost , that is , my conscience renewed , by the grace of the holy Spirit of God ; as if the Apostle had said , I speak the truth , my conscience bearing me witnesse simply and plainly , and that conscience rectified and renewed by the Spirit of God , so ordered and guided ; it witnesseth holily and truly : that I have great heavinesse and continual sorrow in my heart ; These words are to be taken in the literal sense , as they lye , onely the word , sorrow , is a Metaphorical , and is taken from a woman that is in travel with child , such sorrow as she hath that travelleth in child-bearing , such was the sorrow in the heart of the blessed Apostle ; and for what his sorrow was , he leaveth it to be gathered , but it may be added , namely , for the rejection of the Jewes : so then the Apostles meaning is thus plainly , I say the truth , even by Christ Jesus I speak it , simply and plainly , and with an honest and upright heart , without any manner of doubling or dissembling , or lying , or any manner of untruth in my speech , Christ is my witnesse , I lie not , and my own conscience beareth me witnesse also , and that conscience of mine rectified and rightly ordered by the grace of Gods Spirit , my conscience bearing me witnesse and that holily , after an holy manner , that I am possessed with continual sorrow , and that in my heart and soul , for the rejection of the Jews , even as the sorrow of a woman travelling with child .

Come we now to the Instruction , I say the truth in Christ , I lye not ; The Apostle shewing his sorrow , doth not here only say , that he speaketh the truth , and lyeth not , but sweareth by Christ Jesus , that he spake the truth , for this his particular sorrow , the point is thus ,

That a Christian man sometimes may lawfully swear , and take an oath , Doctrine . though it be not in publick , and before a Magistrate , but in private matters of great weight and importance , ( as this was ) concerning the glory of God ; and a private man or woman may take a private oath between themselves , so as it be with reverence , and with a good conscience ; and for this we have not only the example of the Apostle , but other examples in Scripture , as Gen. 24.3 . Abrahams servant sware unto his Master , that he would take a wife for his son Isaac of his own seed ; and in Josh. 2.12 . the Spies that came to see the Land , took an oath of the harlot : and Jonathan and David , 1 Sam. 26.42 . made a covenant the one with the other ; and in Gen. 50.22 . Joseph took an oath with his brethren to carry his bones with them out of Egypt : And many other examples , we have to this purpose , clearing and confirming this truth , that it is lawful to take an oath in private , so as that it be in matters of weight and great importance , namely in such a case , as concerneth greatly the glory of God , our own salvation , and the preservation of others ; such a case as this ( being doubtfull ) is to be confirmed by an oath in private , so as it be with reverence , and a good conscience .

The Reason Reason . is , because that to this end an oath is appointed , and ordained to be an end of all strife in matters of weight and controversie , as the Holy Ghost saith , Heb. 6.16 . that an oath amongst men , for confirmation , putteth an end to all strife , in matters of great weight and consequence , not in every trivial trifling occasion , no , it must be with rariety and reservednesse .

First of all , this meeteth with the errour of the Anabaptists , that deny Vse 1 : the use of all Oathes , and hold it altogether unlawfull to swear , in any case whatsoever , either in publick or in private ; their opinion is false : Object . they alledge for themselves the Word of Christ , in Matth. 5.34 , 35. Swear not at all , but let your communication be yea , yea , and nay , nay ; for whatsoever is else cometh of evil , of the Devil .

Answer , Answ. Indeed it is true , that we may not swear falsely , therein it is evil , and not in our familiar talk and conference between man and man , for whatsoever therein is more , cometh of evil , of the Devil ; but to leave them .

This Truth serveth for the just reproof of those that do take rash Vse 2 Oathes ; for an oath must be in a just manner , and not upon an ordinary occasion , in our ordinary communication ; as such as use common and customary swearing , in their ordinary communication , they cannot speak a word , but an oath is at the end of it , a sin that is grown to a fearful height in this Land of ours , yea it is rife and common both in the City and Countrey , to swear , and to rap out an oath at every word , to tosse the name of God ; a sin for which the Land groaneth and mourneth , even because of Oathes , Jer. 23.10 . Oh consider it how the land mourneth and weepeth for this sin : you see Sommer is turned to Winter , and why ? because of the Oathes of the land , the earth doth not yeeld her fruit as she was wont to do , The reason is , because what is more common then for men and woto rap out an oath at every word , and if they be reproved , will either flye in your face , and blot or blemish you , and say you will not swear , but you will do worse I warrant you ; or else they will say I swear nothing but the truth , and men will never believe me unlesse I swear : Oh in the fear of God consider it , that it is credit dearly bought , that is got with the pawning of thy soul to the devill , for so thou doest in rapping out thy rash oathes ; and though thou swear nothing but the truth , yet every truth is not to be confirmed by an oath , no , it must be a truth of speciall weight and consequence , the preservation of thy life , or such like great and weighty cause , and then it must be with a good conscience , and therefore thy swearing in thy buying and selling , ( as to swear ( by God ) it cost me so much ) thou sinnest against God fearfully , and thou takest the name of God in vain ; and this thy ordinary swearing is a sign of a gracelesse wretch , that thou hast no dram of grace in thy heart , that thy tongue is set on fire of hell , James 3.6 . And know withal , that as thy ordinary swearing hath the devil for the Father of it , so without repentance hell shall be the end of it , and of thee also ; thou shalt be plunged body and soul into hell . In matters of great weight and consequence , we may take an oath , for the glory of God , the salvation of a mans soul , the reducing of men from Popery , all other Oathes , as to swear rashly , that is a fearfull provoking of God against thy soul : and remember that connexion of the Lord , which he hath put to the Commandement , that the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vain . And therefore in the name of God , let us make conscience of swearing , and flie from an Oath , as from a Serpent ; For thy tongue is set on fire of the Devil , if thou swearest ordinarily , in thy common conference ; and those that use it , labour to repent of that sin , for it is a fearful impiety , and a declaration that thou hast no grace in thy heart , but art a very Miscreant , and therefore in the fear of God , let thy communication in thy usual speech be yea , yea , or nay , nay ; for whatsoever is more , Matth. 5.34 , 35. cometh of evil , of the Devil .

I say the truth in Christ , I lye not , my Conscience bearing me witnesse in the Holy Ghost .

In that the Apostle calleth Christ to witnesse , and sweareth by his name it is a sufficient evidence and proof of the God-head of Christ : And hence I might stand to prove the God-head of Christ , that none can know the heart but God ; but we shall have more cause to speak of this in the last verse of the context .

Doctr. But from hence we may learn , that such as are lawfully called to swear , they must swear onely by the name of God , when a necessary and a weighty truth is to be confirmed by an oath , and that men and women are called to swear , they knowing it to be a truth , they must call God to witnesse that truth , and must only swear by the holy Name of God ; so the Lord himself hath commanded , Deut. 6.13 . Thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord thy God : and he repeateth the same again , Deut. 10.20 . Thou shalt swear by the name of the Lord thy God : and in Esay 45.23 . every tongue shall swear by me , saith the Lord . Howsoever swearing there may be taken for the whole worship of God , yet it may be applyed to this ; that every one that sweareth , must swear by the holy Name of God . And indeed , an oath lawfully taken , is a part of Gods worship , as appeareth in the two places in Deuteronomy before alledged : it is a part of Gods Worship , thou shalt fear the Lord thy God , thou shalt serve him , and swear by his name : yea swearing , upon a lawful calling , and lawfully , in truth , in righteousnesse , and in Judgment , it is a reverent use of the holy Name of God ; it is so far from dishonouring God , that it is a reverent use , and a glorifying of God : For it is an acknowledgment of God to be the Searcher and Knower of the hearts of men , and of their secret thoughts ; and that God is a witnesse even unto those that swear falsly and perjuriously , and a revenger on those that forswear themselves : and that he testifieth to the things that lye hid , and dark , in our secrets from men , and therefore God must be called to witnesse the truth , when any truth is witnessed by an oath .

As for the formes of speeches used in the Scripture , viz. As thy soul liveth , 2 King . 2.4 . and Verily , Verily , used by Christ , in John 3.5 . they be earnest asseverations , and they do strongly and vehemently affirm truth ; and an oath , or oathes taken and used as it ought to be , in a right manner , in truth , in righteousnesse , and in Judgment , before a Magistrate , or in private with reverence , it is a worshipping of God .

Hereby we are to take notice , Vse . of a foul sin that many of us are guilty of , and make light , reckoning and account of : For what is more usuall with many amongst us , then to swear even in their ordinary speech , by the Blood and Wounds of his blessed body , namely , by all the parts of the blessed body of Jesus Christ ; yea some by the bread , the drink , the light , the fire , the money , the Crosse of the coyn , and to swear by their faith and troth , and they that so swear , think they swear no great oathes , and some swear superstitious oathes , by St. Mary , by S. Anne , and by the abominable Idol the Masse , and some that swear by mincing & detracting oathes , as by Masse , by Making , and by Laking , gods so , and good lack , is not this common amongst us , yea too too common in your mouthes ? Now by swearing thus , what do you but sin fearfully ? that which ought to be highly honoured in the matter of an oath , you dishonour God exceedingly ; yea , take notice of it , you abuse the things you swear by , and put them into the place and room of God , and give unto these things what is to be attributed unto God , ( as infinite Justice , infinite Knowledge , infinite Power , ) as if they were able , and of power and knowledge , to know the thing we call them to witnesse , and as if so be they were able to punish if you swear falsly ; a fearful height of sin : will the Lord suffer such a foul sin to escape his punishing hand ? Will the Lord suffer you to place your Faith and Troth in his room , to thrust him out of his Throne and Seat of Majestie ? and shall not his hand of vengeance light upon you for so great a sin ? yes surely , without repentance , the hand of the Lord will light fearfully both upon body and soul , Jer. 5.7 . saith the Lord , How shall I spare thee for this ? as if he had said , I cannot spare thee for this : for what ? thy children have forsaken me : How ? they have sworn by things that are not Gods : by their faith and troths , which are not gods : and in Zephan. 1.5 . The Lord threateneth to cut off all , that swear by the Lord , and by Malcham : by Masse , or by Jesse , or by Laking ; it sheweth that they have no grace in their hearts , yea it discovereth the cursed corruptions of their hearts and soules ; and therefore thou that art guilty of this sin , think upon it : for thou sinnest fearfully against God , and be sure to cry to God for mercy , and for pardon of this sin ; for this sin , if thou hadst no more , were sufficient to throw thee down to hell : Oh but those that swear by faith and troth , will say , they are no great swearers , that swear by such like oathes : But I say these sins are weighty enough to plunge thee headlong into hell , without repentance , for thou mayst not swear at all , without a calling , and that either before a Magistrate , or in private , and then it must be with reverence , and a good conscience , in truth , in righteousnesse , and in Judgment , with deliberation , and a Serious consideration of the Name of God , in such causes , as are lawful , namely , the great and glorious Name of God , or such like particulars .

I say the truth in Christ , and I lye not . ] The Apostle sheweth here the sincerity of his heart , that he spake the truth simply and plainly , and with an honest and upright heart , without any manner of doubling or dissembling . I will not here enter into the common place of lying , which is not here meant , but take the thing naturally : and hence observe .

That truth in word , and simplicity of heart , must ever go together : Doctr. when a man is called to speak a truth , either in matter of Religion , or Civil causes , he must deliver it without equivocation , or mental reservation ; the tongue must agree with the heart , and the heart with the tongue : a man must not speak the truth deceitfully , for so the Devil doth speak the truth , with a purpose to deceive the soules of men : and if men so do speak the truth falsly , with a purpose to deceive , they lie in speaking the truth ; the tongue and heart must agree : it is a note of a Child of God , one that is a Member of the Church Militant , and Triumphant , that he speaketh the truth that is in his heart , Psal. 15.2 . But to passe by this , onely touching it in a word , That the same truth must be in the tongue , as in the heart ; there must be truth in the tongue , and simplicity and sincerity in the heart , without equivocation , or mental reservation .

My Conscience bearing me witnesse , ] That is , my Conscience witnessing with me , that I speak the truth . Hereby the Apostle putteth down one special office and act of the Conscience of man ; that the act and office of the Conscience of man is to bear witnesse , to give evidence and testimony : so that from hence it is clear ,

Doctrine . That God hath placed the Conscience in the soul of man , as a witnesse of all his words , and deeds , yea of his very thoughts , and of the motions of his will , and of his inward affections , how he standeth affected : For here the Apostle bringeth it as a witnesse that he was truly sorrowfull , which none but himself could tell : and therefore he bringeth his Conscience as a witnesse ; so that the conscience in the soul of man , beareth witnesse and giveth testimony of whatsoever a man doth think , will , affect , speak , or do ; and to this purpose the Apostle speaketh , in Rom. 2.15 . of the Gentiles that had not the Law of God , but were led by the glimmering light of Nature , these poor Gentiles shewed the effect of the Law written in their hearts , their Consciences bearing witnesse , and their hearts either accusing , or excusing : so in Eccle. 7.22 . where the Preacher , oftentimes thine own heart knoweth , that is , thy own conscience witnesseth , that thou hast cursed others : do not regard every idle word , thine own conscience witnesseth , thou hast cursed others : and in 2 Cor. 1.12 . our rejoycing is this , that we have the testimony of a good conscience , that in simplicity , and godly purenesse , we have had our conversation , &c. So that we see by these places , God hath placed the Conscience in the soul of man , as a witnesse , of whatsoever man doth think , or will , affect , like , or do .

The Reason Reason . is , because God hath put into the conscience of man , a power of observing , and remembring all things that passe from one man to another , and of man himself , whether thoughts , or speeches , or actions , either in thought , in word , or in deed : we may see it in Josephs Brethren , they remembred what they had done to Joseph , even many yeares after they had done it , Gen. 42.21 . and in Gen. 50.15 . their consciences do tell them , did not we sin against our Brother ? it is an observer and remembrancer unto them , even of their thoughts , words and actions : we may see it in our own experience , twenty or thirty years ago , do not our consciences tell us , and witnesse the evil things done then by us . And in this respect the Conscience may be fitly compared to a Recorder , or Register ; That as he hath his pen in his hand , alwaies ready to set down whatsoever is spoken or done ; so is the Conscience a register , to set down , remember , and record all our actions , and all our words and thoughts many years agone ; yea to witnesse when it is done , as the Register turneth over his book , and findeth the act done many years agone ; so is conscience a witnesse to us .

Vse . This truth yeeldeth unto us a strong argument against the hellish atheists of this time , that do open their black mouthes against God himself , and stick not to say in plain termes , that there is no God ; this may prove that there is a God , and may wring from them this confession , that there is a God : for why , the Conscience is a witnesse of the soul of man , and that witnesse not onely of the words and deeds of men , for of those , men and Angels may take notice , but it is a witness of the thoughts of thy heart , and of thy inward and secret motions of thy soul : now to whom doth that bear record ? not to man , or Angels , they cannot take notice of them , but to him that hath an al-seeing eye , and that is God himself ; and the witnesse of thy conscience is marvellous secret , it is not known to any , but is a secret , and that secret witnesse neither man nor Angels can hear , or receive ; for neither men nor Angels can tell what is in the heart or soul of man , but the secret motion of the soul God onely knoweth : for if it were not so , the witnesse of the soul were to no purpose , unlesse there was one that knew the witnesse of the conscience ; for the conscience speaketh not properly , but onely by way of allusion : we say it speaketh , and therefore there is no other but God that knoweth the secrets of the heart ; and therefore let Atheists bark against it as much as they can , the very Conscience that is placed in the heart of man ; it is a plain evidence that there is a God : and so let this suffice to stop their mouthes .

Is this so , that the conscience is thus placed in the soul of man , as a Vse 2 witnesse to whatsoever it is , that man doth will , or think , or speak , or affect , or do ? surely then it must follow , that it cannot possibly be , that any man or woman should sin without witnesse , though they sin never so secretly , though it be in the very secrets and inwards of their own hearts , that none can discern but God alone , the Conscience discerneth it , and seeth it ; and taketh notice of it , and will manifest it in time ; if they have but an evil thought against God , his Church , or Children , the conscience is a witnesse to that very thought : indeed men presume upon it , and do account it no sin , if they can do it in a secret corner , and have a dark place to act it in from the sight of men , as Job 24.15 . The eye of the Adulterer waiteth for the twilight , and then disguiseth himself , and saith , none eye shall see him . Alas ! though thou couldest hide thy sin from all men and Devils , yet thou canst not hide it from God , nor from thine own conscience , that will one day come in as a witnesse against thee , and lay thee open to the sight of men and Angels , unlesse God give thee repentance . The Conscience of man is a tell-tale , it will lay it open , and witnesse against thee : Indeed I confesse , that the mouth of the conscience may be muzzeled , and sometimes be choaked , and fail in doing the office of it , to bear witnesse ; or a man may lay violent hands upon his own conscience , and as it were cut the throat of it , for a time , his conscience being asleep , or benummed , for custome in sin taketh away the feeling of the conscience for a time : and as One saith well , The light of the Conscience may be shadowed , because it is not good ; but quite extinguished it cannot be , because it cometh from God , and is of him in the heart : by the hand of God , it may be asleep ; and benummed , but it will awake , either in the day of affliction , or in the hour of death , when the Conscience will be raised , and awakened , and will then not spare to witnesse against thee : or if it be so , that thou dost dye without any sense or feeling of sin , thou dyest like a senselesse stone : as it is said of Nabal , his heart dyed within him , so it may be , thy heart may be so hardened , as that in the hour of death it hath no touch of conscience at all : yet know this , though thou dyest so , yet thy conscience dyeth not , it is a natural faculty of thy soul , it cannot dye ; and though it touch thee not in the hour of death , yet the day will come ; when the Judgment of the Lord cometh , it will come and appear before thee , and then it will speak and not spare ; it will witnesse against thee the sins that thou hast done in hugger-mugger , and in secret , and thy dissembling , and close dealing , either with God or man ; thy Conscience will not then spare to speak against thee : And therefore in the fear of God take notice of it , and let this ground of truth teach us , to take heed of presuming to sin , because we are in the dark ; whether Usurers , or those that travel up and down from Ale-houses to Taverns in the night to commit sin , their consciences go with them : And in this respect take we heed of dissembling , of hypocrisie , of double dealing in the sight and presence of the Lord ; thou mayst blear the eyes of men , and deceive them , but thy own conscience will not be blinded ; it will bear witnesse even of thy bosome sins ; and although it may be mute for a time , yet it will speak , and that aloud too , before the Judge of all the world : Let this therefore work inward soundnesse and truth in the heart , that our Consciences may witnesse good before God of us , who knoweth the inwards of thy heart and soul .

The Apostle addeth further , That the Holy Ghost did testifie with his Conscience ; My Conscience witnesseth with me in the holy Ghost ; that is , as it is rectified and guided by the holy Spirit of God , to witnesse with me holily and truly , as it is ordered by grace , and sanctified to that end and purpose : so then the Conclusion is this ,

Doctrine . That the Conscience of man doth then onely witnesse with him holily and truly , and to his comfort , touching the things that is said or done by him , when it is rectified and guided by the holy Ghost , it is the conscience , and the conscience sanctified , that is a true , a holy , and a comfortable witnesse to man ; when I say with the Apostle the Conscience beareth witnesse in the Holy Ghost , it is that conscience that is a true and a holy witnesse , touching good thoughts , words or actions , the Conscience regenerate , holy and sanctified , is only a conscience that is a comfortable witnesse .

Reason . For why ? such as the Conscience is , such is the witnesse and testimony of it : now a natural conscience is impure , polluted and defiled , Titus 1.15 . to the unbelieving and defiled is nothing pure , but the mind and conscience is defiled : even the conscience of a natural man witnesseth impurely , unsound , and uncomfortable ; onely the conscience regenerate and sanctified , that is purged and purified by faith , Act. 15.9 . faith purifieth the heart : and that conscience so purged and purified , is only a true and a holy witnesse : and that Conscience that is so regenerate , and sanctified by grace , it giveth witnesse and testimony of that righteousnesse which is called the righteousnesse of the conscience , and is ever joyned unto it , namely , it giveth witnesse of a true , and sound , and constant purpose in the heart , seconded with a holy endeavour and careful use of all good means , not wittingly , nor willingly to sin against God , in any thing , but to labour to please God in all things whatsoever ; this is the witnesse of a pure conscience , Heb. 13.18 . We are assured that we have a good conscience in all things , desiring to live honestly : and this was the witnesse of the Conscience of the good King Hezekiah , that he was able ( his conscience being regenerate , ) even upon his death-bed to say , Now Lord remember how I have walked before thee-with an honest and a good heart , Esay 38.3 . he had walked before God with a perfect heart , in the truth of his soul : here was a regenerate heart that thus testified , how he endeavoured not to sin against God : but to please him in every thing ; so that by this it appeareth to be a truth . that the Conscience of man then doth only witnesse holily and truly , when it is rectified by grace , then is it a holy witnesse of our thoughts , words , and actions .

Vse . This serveth to discover unto us , that many deceive themselves , even touching this witnesse , the witnesse of the Conscience . Many there be , that think of their consciences witnessing holily and truly of the good things said or done by them , when indeed and in truth , there is no such matter ; when their Consciences telleth them , that they pray and hear Sermons , as the consciences of all erring spirits , Papists , and Anabaptists , Familists and others , their consciences cannot witnesse truly with them , and holily , they fail in their Judgment , and their consciences must needs be erroneous , and so cannot possibly afford them any true comfort : surely they think they do exceeding great service to God , but they are deceived ; and their Judgment is erroneous . But to draw near unto our selves ; Thus standeth the case with all unregenerate persons , and such as be in their natural estate ; the consciences of unregenerate persons do many times witnesse much good , in respect of the good things said or done by them : Their conscience telleth them , oh they have much good , and great comfort in hearing the Word , especially if they live a civil honest life , and be free from grosse sins , and deal justly and truly with men , their consciences telleth them that they are in a marvellous good case , and you cannot drive them from it : for why ? their Conscience telleth them so , that they are no Drunkards , no Theeves , no Swearers , and God is well pleased with them , and they have much good and comfort by the testimony of their consciences . But their Conscience doth witnesse falsly , so as the Prophet saith , a deceitful heart hath cousened them , Esay 44. and their Conscience cannot possibly truly witnesse any comfort to them : For the good things they have done , be they the best works , or words , or deeds done , that possibly can be spoken or done , their conscience cannot truly witnesse , so long as they be unregenerate : and therefore to conclude this point , If thou wouldst have thy conscience to witnesse holily and truly and to thy comfort , never rest untill thou find that thy conscience is sprinkled with the blessed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ , Heb. 9.14 . which is able to purge thy conscience , and that thy heart is purified by faith , and sanctified by grace ; and then thy Conscience will witnesse with thee in the Holy Ghost , otherwise it is but a deceitful conscience , that maketh men soothe up themselves , and esteem themselves in a holy and good estate , without cause .