Ver. t 6. the 8th Chapter to the ROMANS. 171 1. Open the double Teftimony. 2. What the one.fuperaddeth above the other. 3. The neceffity of their conjunillion to our full comfort. a.. The Nature of this double Tefli mony 5 and there firfl, let us begin with that which is more known to us, and underflood by us, and that is the Teflimony of a renewed confcience. Let us confider it, as conf ieeee, and as renewed. t. As covfeience. There is á regret fpy within us , that obferveth all that we think, pr fpeak, or do, Rom. 2. 15. Their confcience bearing them witnefi, and their thoughts in the mean time acculing or exczfng Now this confcience mull not be flighted 5 partly, in refpefl of our (elves, becaufe't is fo intimate to us. 'Tis a fpy in our bofoms, and can give a better judgment of us and our aelions, than any thing elfe can. The judgment of the world by way of applaufe, or cenfure, is foreign, and grounded upon appear- ance; therefore not fo much to be valued, a Cor. 2. 11. The fpirit of a man which it in him, knoweth the things of a man. Who knoweth more of us, than we do our felves ? And this witnefs cannot be fufpefted of partiality, and ill will; for what is dearer to our felves, than. our (elves ? Therefore if our hearts condemn us, what thalf be laid for us ? t John 3., 20, 25. For if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than one hearts, and knowetb all things., Beloved, if our . hearts condemn us not, then have we con- fidence towards God, And partly, becaufe of its relation to God; 'cis called the can- dle of the Lord, Pro. 20. 27. 'Tis Gods Deputy, Judg, and in the place of God to us 5 and therefore if it doth accule, or excufe, it is to be regarded, fern is before Gods Tri- bunal that it doth condemn or acquit us. 'Tis his fentence that we are to fund in fear and dread of ; to whom doth it accule us, but to God ? whole Wrath doth it fear, but Gods, even then when there is no outward caule of dread, and fear ? Confcience is the Vicegerent of the fupreme Judg; partly,becaufe of the rule it goeth by, which is the will of God, by which good and evil are diflinguillted ; which is either revealed by the light ofNature,or the lightof Scripture; the light ofnature,Rom.2.14,15. For the gentiles, who have not the law,do by nature,the things containedin the law 5 theft haw, log not the lam, are a law to themfelves, whichthew theivòrl¿of the law upon their hearts, their con ciences alto bearing witnefs, and their thoughts the mean while accrefing, or elf exculing one another. The Apo(lle proveth the heathens had a law, becaufé.they had a confcience; for confcience ever inferreth force rule and law, by which good and evil are dillingtiilhed. The light of Scripture comprehendeth either the Covenant of Works, or the Covenant of Grace. Works ; and fo confcience condemneth all the world as guilty before God, Rom. 3. 19. and there is no efeape from this fentence, but a re- gular appeal, and palfage from Court to Court, Pfal. a o. 3, 4. If than fhouldeff marl{, iniquities, O Lord, who (hall fiand ! But there is forgiven, fs with thee, that thou mayefi be feared. Pfal. 1[43. 2. Enter not into judgment with thy fervant, for in thy fight fall no man living be jufli f.'d 5 where poor condemned (inners may take lanhluary of the Lords Grace,and humbly claim the benefit of the New Covenant. Grace; wherein the penitent believer and thole that fincerely obey thé Gofpel, are accepted. The legal confcience condemneth all theworld, but the evangelical confcience aquitteth it's, if we fincerely and thankfully accept, the, new covenant ; that is, if we take the priviledges offered, for our happinefs; and the duties required, for our work;therefore'ris Paid r Pet, 3. 21. Baptifm'faceth,'not the puting away of the filthinefs of the fief bet the anfwer of a good confci ence toward God Not the bare Ordinance,. but the Covenant which is . feared by it And what doth the Covenant require? Accepting the Lords offers and relolving to obey his commands, 2. As renewed. By nature confcience is blind, partial, flupid, but bygrace it's made pure, tender, and pliant, and more able to do its office. The fpirit is not faid here to witnefs to our heart, but to our fpirit, that is, to cònfciencé as renewed and fanaified t slow fuch a confcience implieth there things. 1. Some knomledg of and confent to the new covenant 5 for without knowledg the 'heart is not go58, Pro 19..<ò. It erreth in point of law and rule, and therefoe cannot well witnefs in the tale. And, á. Confent, there mu(l be; for we cannot daim Priviledges by a Charter," which we never accepted. Therefore, Ifs. 56. 4. And thrift the things that pleat nte, and take hold of my covenant. They thankfully accept the offered benefits, and refolve by the ftrength of the Lords grace, to perform tpe required duties, 8 Y1 3. That
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