April 27

The answer of a good conscience toward God.—1 Peter 3:21.

THE conscience of man is never rightly at peace in itself, till it be rightly persuaded of peace with God, which while it remains filthy, it can not be; for he is holy, and iniquity can not dwell with him. What communion betwixt light and darkness! 2 Corinthians 6:14. So then the conscience must be cleansed, ere it can look upon God with assurance and peace. This cleansing is sacramentally performed by baptism; effectually, by the Spirit of Christ and the blood of Christ; and he lives to impart both; therefore here is mentioned his resurrection from the dead, as that, by virtue whereof we are assured of this purifying and peace. Then can the conscience, in some measure with confidence, answer, Lord, though polluted by former sins, and by sin still dwelling in me, yet thou seest that my desires are to be daily more like my Saviour; I would have more love and zeal for thee, more hatred of sin. It can answer with St. Peter, when he was posed, Lovest thou me! Lord, I appeal to thine own eye, who seest my heart; Lord, thou knowest that I love thee; at least I desire to love thee, and to desire thee; and that is love. Willingly would I do thee more suitable service, and honor thy name more; and I do sincerely desire more grace for this, that thou mayest have more glory; and I entreat the light of thy countenance for this end, that, by seeing it, my heart may be more weaned from the world, and knit unto thyself. Thus it answers touching its inward frame, and the work of holiness by the Spirit of holiness dwelling in it. But, to answer justice, touching the point of guilt, it flies to the blood of sprinkling, fetches all its answer thence, turns over the matter upon it, and that blood answers for it; for it doth speak, and speak better things than the blood of Abel; speaks full payment of all that can be exacted from the sinner; and that is a sufficient answer.

The conscience is then, in this point, at first made speechless, driven to a nonplus in itself, hath from itself no answer to make; but then it turns about to Christ, and finds what to say: Lord, there is indeed in me nothing but guiltiness; I have deserved death; but I have fled into the city of refuge which thou hast appointed; there I resolve to abide, to live and die there. If justice pursue me, it shall find me there: I take sanctuary in Jesus. The arrest laid upon me, will light upon him, and he hath wherewithal to answer it. He can straightway declare he hath paid all, and can make it good. He hath the acquittance to show; yea, his own liberty is a real sign of it. He was in prison, and is let free, which tells that all is satisfied. Therefore the answer here rises out of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And in this very thing lies our peace, and our way, and all our happiness. Oh! it is worth your time and pains, to try your interest in this; it is the only thing worthy your highest diligence. But the most are out of their wits, running like a number of distracted persons, and still in a deal of business, but to what end they know not. You are unwilling to be deceived in those things which, at their best and surest, do but deceive you when all is done; but are content to be deceived in that which is your great concernment. You are your own deceivers in it; gladly gulled with shadows of faith and repentance, false touches of sorrow, and false flashes of joy, and are not careful to have your souls really unbottomed from themselves, and built upon Christ; to have him your treasure, your righteousness, your all, and to have him your answer unto God your Father. But if you will yet be advised, let go all, to lay hold on him: lay your souls on him, and leave him not. He is a tried foundation-stone, and he that trusts on him, shall not be confounded.