25. The true Believer prays for an unscarred Conscience

EXHORTATION.

"For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."—2 Cor. i. 12. Most men are at great pains to keep their bodies in good health; they work hard to obtain or to keep wealth; but O that they would make the same efforts to keep their consciences pure and unstained!

1. The conscience is like the eye, which cannot endure a particle of dust, it is the accuser, the witness, and the judge of the wicked; the remembrance of sins remain in the conscience, like scars in the face. 2. On the day of judgment, God and our consciences will bear unanswerable testimony.

3. A true believer will preserve the integrity of his conscience by frequently hearing and reading the Word of God, and directing his life in accordance with it; and by reflecting, in whatever he resolves to say or do, whether God in his holy word permits it? 4. He must also avoid evil company and temptations; for as he who dabbles in fire or water is

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THE TRUE BELIEVER PRAYS FOR easily burned or wetted, so the conscience is easily injured by intercourse with unprincipled people.

5. Nothing better preserves the purity of conscience, than sincere and fervent prayer, and the recollection of the ever-present God, who looks upon all our steps.

Lord, my God! how great is the love and goodness thou dost manifest towards us. Thou givest us life and health and prosperity according to thy mercy. Yet, O my God, all these thy good gifts shall be turned to henbane, if they are not accompanied with a pure and unharmed conscience! Therefore, have mercy upon me, and keep me in the fear of thee, that I may not violate my conscience. O I long to bring a pure soul and an untarnished conscience before thy holy presence, therefore lead me by thy Holy Spirit to guard my conscience as the apple of my eye. O what a precious jewel and soothing pillow is a good conscience! Who will accuse me if my conscience acquits me? For if our heart does not condemn us, we have cheerfulness in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Who can grieve me when my conscience makes me rejoice, who can disturb or vex me, when my conscience consoles and cheers me? O my God, AN UNSCARRED CONSCIENCE.

let me carefully keep this treasure. May I never say what might cause a qualm of conscience; may I never assent to a sin whereby I would load a heavy burden on my soul, oppressing me through life, or on the bed of death, or pursuing me with thy wrath and chastisement. O preserve me from the sting of conscience! Give me grace to deport myself as a true Christian wherever I go. May I constantly remember thy most holy presence, and dread to do evil before thee. May I bear in mind that thou art a knower of hearts, from whom nothing can remain concealed. Grant me to follow in the holy footsteps of my Saviour. Grant that I may not wound my conscience by denying my faith. O Lord Jesus! Purify my conscience with thy holy blood, forgive me all my sins, and give me quiet and true peace of mind and of conscience. O let thy Holy Ghost evermore conduct me on even paths, that my conscience may remain unharmed, and thy dwelling in my heart undisturbed. O God! thou pious God! thou Source of all good gifts, without whom there is nothing which is, from whom we have all things, give me a healthy body, and that in this body may ever dwell an untarnished soul and a pure conscience Amen 1. If conscience chides me not, why should I heed the spiteful

Disparagements of those, to whom it is delightful

To pin a wicked thought on every harmless deed?

My witness is above, and he will speak at need.

2. If conscience chides me not, let slander pour its chalice

Of poison o'er me all, I am above its malice!

The world is nought to me, God is my only judge;

Therefore I little heed my haters and their grudge.

3. If conscience chides me not, nothing will damp my prayers,

And prayer will give me strength against my would-be slayers.

God plainly sees my heart; to him 'tis all disclosed;

He knows that to this sin, I never was disposed.

4. If conscience chides me not, I can await the season,

When falsehood and reproach shall yield to better reason.

Sland'rers, remember well, God hears when you traduce,

Therefore, let not your tongues run insolently loose.

5. God give me patient heart, to hear, without repining,

The bitter words of all, misguided or designing;

My real sins forbid thy angels to record,

And guard my peace of mind and comfort in the Lord.

Soul

"When wilt thou comfort me?"—Ps. cxix. 82.

Jesus.

"Fear not, for I am with thee."—Isaiah xliii. 5.


If thou art sick at heart, look upward to the sky;

God is thy comforter, and he is ever nigh.