2nd iYermon r. fufficient eounterpoife to all the reproaches and calu nniei they could load him with ; tho' he was looked on even as the filth of the world, and the o ff fcourings of all thingf. 4thly, Obferve, That, when men meet with many re- proaches, and walk in a way that is attended with a mul- titude of fnares, they need more than a gueffing or a con - je &ural .uncertainty as to the teflimony of a good Con- fcience anent their being right, even a well grounded certainty and perfwafon ; Paul loth not fay here, we fuppofé or hope (as many of you un,derfand hope) but we true, or are firmly perfwaded. Men would ftud'y al- ways to be clear in what they do, but more efpecially when their way may be offended at, and they reproached; on account thereof ; . and moft efpecially as to that part of their way, that is like to he moft offended at. More particularly, from thele words confidered as a reafon of the foregoing exhortation to pray for him,. obferve, i fl, That a man who hath a good Confcience, and is molt clear in it,, doth ordinarily lay molt weight on prayer, and is molt in love with that,fweet exercife fo that he will not only pray for himfelf, but will alfo de -, fire others to pray for him: 'Tis never a good Confcience in a man, that makes him flight prayer himfelf, or the prayers of others for him. 2dly, Obferve,That a man that hath a good Confcience, will defire, and think himfelf" concerned to endeavour, not to be miftaken by others. He will not boaft of his. good Confcience, not caring what others think or fay of him; but will feek to remove any offence that may be . taken at his way, or that may give any the leaft ground . to make his integrity to be called in queftion ; as Paul loth here, and z Car. i z. where he faith, v. i t. I am . become a fool in glorying ; but adds, v. 19. But we do all (and fo this amongft the reft) dearly beloved, fog your edifying. And the reafon, is, becaufe a man of a good Confcience will not only fudy to be tender in his walk,, as himfelf may have peace within ; but will allo have regard to the Confcience of others, that they may not: ¡tumble and .fm, nor the way of God fifer, when be may prevent it. And 3tis a Pure evidence of an unten- der Confcience, when men care not who fumble at tl eii
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=