A short exposition of the 20. and 21. verses of the third chapter of the first epistle of S. Iohn. Containing a very profitable discourse of conscience, and of al the actions, sortes, and kinds thereof, wherby euery man may easily know his estate, wherein hee standeth in the sight of his God, and whether his conscience be good or euill, with all things also belonging either to get a good conscience, or else to releiue it out of trouble, being grieued and wounded, as in the epistle to the reader is more specially mentioned, and in the discourse itselfe clearely expressed.

The Fourth parte.

FOr as much as hytherto wee haue shewed both what consciēce is, what the troubles thereof are? As likewise,

what are both the actions and the kinds thereof. It remaineth fourthly, & lastlie, to shew what is mans duety concerning Conscience, how hee may preuent the troubles thereof, and being troubled in his heart and spirit, how he may releeue his conscience, and exoner the same of all the troubles and wounds wherewith it may be grieued in this life.

Mans first duetie is in this behalfe, to purchase and get a good conscience, for by nature (seeing we are all the children of wrath) we haue it not. And his second duetie is to keepe it well when he hath gotten it.

For the getting of a good conscience, three things are needefull: to wit, a pre∣paration to it. Secondly, the application of the remedy, and thirdly, prepared the reformation of it.

The preparation to it requireth the knowledge of the law, that thereby wee may vnderstand what is good or euill. 2. The iudiciall sentence therof, which tel∣leth vs, that the curse of God is deue to all men for euery sinne: 3. An earnest examination of our Conscience by the law, that thereby wee may perceaue and

vnderstand what is our estate before God, and vpon this duety, the Prophets doe stand very much. For heereby it is, that we come to the knowledge of our wretchednes & miserable estate before our God. Wherefore, (Ieremie saith) Let vs search and trye our waies, and turne againe vnto the lord: & Zephaniah, Gather your selues euen gather you, O nation, not worthy to be lo∣ued, before the decree come forth, and yee bee as chaffe which passeth in a day, and before the fierce wrath of the Lord come vpon you, &c. For the law is a yoake (saith the Apostle) That neither we nor our fathers, we are able to beare.

Hereby all men and women may ea∣sily see, that by nature we are most mise∣rable, because we are vnable in our own defaulte to doe the works of the Law, & fulfill that obedience, which we owe of duetie to our God, and that therefore we abid naturallie accursed. This our mi¦serable estate, when wee know it by the law, it bringeth forth in vs a sorrow and griefe, in respect of the knowledge of the punishment for sin, arysing of the know∣ledge of our dueties towards God, con∣teined in the lawe, & of our inability to performe the same. And thus much con∣cerning

our preparation to obtaine and get a good Conscience.

2 The application or applying of the remedy whereby to heale our sorrow & griefe conceiued of our wretched estate, by the knowledge of the law (which is onely the bloud and merites of Christe, who for vs in his Conscience felte Gods wrath, and the punishments of all our sinnes) requireth two things, that is, the preaching of the gospell and faith. For the gospel is the hand of God the father, offering vnto vs grace & mercy in christ. And faith is our hand, whereby wee lay holde on him, and receaue him with all his benefits. For as by the law commeth the knowledge of sinne, so is the righte∣ousnes of God, by faith in Iesus Christe, made manifest without the law, vnto al, and vpon all that beleeue. For hee is the ende of the Law, for righteousnes to e∣uery one that beleeueth: and the ende of the law is, to iustifie them that obserue it Wherefore, Christ hauing fulfilled it for vs, is made our righteousnes, wisedome, sancti∣fication & redemption. This much of the ap∣plication of the remedy against the sor∣row, & desperation arysing of the know∣ledge

of our miserable estate by nature, when wee doe beholde the same in the and mirrour of the law.

Where wee haue to learne, that two things are most needefull for vs who de∣sire truly to enioy and possesse this reme¦dy. The first is seriously to humble our selues before God for all our wants, and especially for such as lye open in our Cō∣science, accusing and condemning of our selues before his holie maiestie. For so shall we put Conscience out of office, & performe that work our selues in this life which Conscience would performe to our eternal damnatiō in the life to come For if we iudge our selues (saith the Apostle) we shal not be iudged. 2. We must oftē with grones and earnest prayers, humblie be∣seech the Lord for Christs sake, to for∣giue vs our sins, that so wee may be sure of his fauour, and forgiuenes of them all. And because that this humiliation stan∣ding in these two poyntes, there are ex∣cellent and sure promises made by God vnto vs of grace, & life euerlasting in his worde (for Salomon saieth) Hee that hideth his sinnes shall not prosper: but hee that con∣fesseth and forsaketh them shall haue mercie.

and if wee acknowledge and confesse our sinnes (saith Iohn) God is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs them, and wash them al away from vs, with the bloud of his christ. For Gabri∣ell the Angell said vnto the virgin Mary, (that her sonne) Christs name, should be called Iesus. Because hee should saue his people from their sinnes. Wherefore it followeth, that there is no condemnation to them that are and beleeue in him, if they walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit. To all which persons, aryseth a certainty of Saluation. And consequently, a reformation of con∣science, which is wrought in all such per∣sons by the holie ghoste, when the same ceaseth to accuse and terrifie them, and beginneth to excuse them, and to testifie vnto them, that they are the children of God. The which thinge neuer faileth to anie that doe seriouslie humble them∣selues, and by earnest prayer craue mer∣cie and pardon of their sinnes at Gods hands for Christs sake.

This is the treasure that far passeth all worldlie pleasures, I would to God ther∣fore, that the greatest part of this vnhap∣py age, would be as careful to sute and seeke for the same, as they are to hunte

after the transitory pleasures of this cor∣ruptible flesh: as honors, riches, & other pleasures worldly, which wil quickly de∣part, but this shall euer abide as a conti∣nuall and pleasant feast, both heere & in the world to come. And thus much con∣cerning mans firste duetie, against the getting of a good conscience.

As touching mans second duety con∣cerning Consciēce, it is to keepe it good when he hath so gotten it, & to preuente the troubles therof by all meanes possi∣ble. For it is no lesse vertue to keepe a good Conscience then to get it.

In keeping of a good Conscience, a∣boue all things, three things are to be a∣voyded. To wit, ignorance, vnmortified affections, and worldly lustes. As to the first, Salomon affirmeth, that the minde cannot bee good, that is the Conscience of him that is without knowledge: yea it is said, cap 17.2. Kings, that the people that dwelt in Samaria, were deuoured of Lyons and wilde beastes, because they knew not the manner of the God of the Land. And againe, the Prophete Dauid saith, that such as doe not knowe the voice of the Lorde, and his will and

wayes, doe erre in heart and soule, neuer enter into the Lords rest. Likwise Christ himselfe telleth vs, that they that knowe not the scriptures, doe but erre & goe a∣stray. And againe, that this is the cōdem∣natiō of the world, that the light of Gods will declared in Christ being come into the world: men notwihstanding loue ra∣ther darknes, and to perish therein, then the light, and to be saued thereby. And therefore saith the Apostle, as they regar∣ded not to knowe GOD, euen so GOD deli∣uered them vp into a reprobate minde, to doe those thinges which are not conueni∣ent, and whereby they become full of vn∣righteousnes. Yea, ignorance (saith Chry∣sostome) is the worke of the diuils inspirati¦on, who would not haue vs to see the trea¦sure, least wee should possesse the riches. And that this is the cause of all euill, that the scriptures hath not knowen.

Of these premisses we see how needful it is aboue all things, for al that wil keep a good Cōscience, to learn the knowledge of Gods word, the ignorance wherof be∣getteth & breedeth in man & woman, a loathsome sea of all euils, whereby their miserable Consciences are drowned in a

loathsom sink of all wretched misery vn∣to the day of their Death, when the Lord shal fearefully in his iustice wakē them, to their perpetual shame and confusion.

Secondly, it is needefull to be vtterly [ 11] displeased alwaies with the sinful affecti∣ons of our flesh. As with wrath, anger, en¦vie, malice, wandering lustes, & such like other vnhappy fruits of our wretched & corrupt nature. And therefore continu∣ally to crye with the Apostle. O wretched man that I am, who shal deliuer me from the bo∣dy of this death, or from this fleshlie lumpe of sinne and death, which by nature eue∣rie one of vs do carry about with vs. So that this way in our mind at the least, we may euer serue the law of god, & so crop & snedde sinne in vs, that it come neuer to seede, maturity, and ful perfection, to raigne in vs and rule ouer vs aboue the Spirite.

Thirdly, as to worldly pleasures and honours of this life, let vs euer respecte them all as dunge in respecte of Christ, the benefites which wee receaue by him and the preseruation of a good Consci∣ence. The which wee ought perpetu∣allie to esteeme and thinke off, as of

of our Paradise, and of the lustes of our fleshe, and pleasures of the world, as of the forbidden fruite, if we desire to liue for euer with perpetuall ioy in our soule and conscience, both in this life and in that to come through Christ. And thus much touching the keeping of a good conscience when it is gotten.

[ 13] As to the remedies of a troubled hart and grieued Conscience, which of al o∣thers, when it rageth is the greatest, wee say that the same must be sought for out of the word, and exampels of the faithful as of Iob, Ieremy, Ezekiah, Dauid, & also of Christ himselfe, who felt the extremest anguish that euer eyther was, is, or yet shallbe, and notwithstanding perished not there through, because they dispay∣red not therein, but trusted stil in God, and therefore were deliuered.

2 Such must vnderstand as are trou∣bled in Conscience, that the way to hea∣uen, is euen to goe thither by hell.

3 Let all such as are in this trouble, haue recourse to godly pastours, who may and will giue them comfort out of the worde.

4 Let them confer with such as haue

felt the like trouble, who will shew them how they got comforte therein: and that first of all, it is necessary for thē to learne and vnderstand fiue things 1. To knowe and confesse their sins. 2. To feele them forgiuen in Christ. 3. To looke for pow∣er of him to crucifie the same. 4. To lay hold vpon iustification by his resurrecti∣on. 5. To looke for strength of him only to proceede to further sanctification & holines of life euē to the end: al the which things they shall finde promised by God in his word, & beleeued and put in prac∣tise by the faithful, preached & set down by the Prophets, as at what time soeuer a sinner doth repent from the bottome of his heart, the Lord will put away all his iniquities, &c.

And last of all, let them that bee thus troubled, say with the Prophete. Lorde, be∣cause there is mercie with thee, that thou mayest be feared, I will wait vpon thee, as the eye of the seruant wayteth vpon the hand of his Ma∣ster, and I will condemne my selfe of folly, and say, ô my soule, why art thou so heauy? why art thou cast downe within me? still trust in the Lord for he is thy health, & thy saluation, & therfore thou wilt trust in him, albeit he should slay thee.

They that sute and seeke for these

means in the trouble of ther conscience, with earnest prayer, and feruent suppli∣cations vnto his holy maiesty in the name of his Christ, shall neuer but finde comforte to their wearied soules, and a full remedie to their wounded Consci∣ences in the ende.

Last of all, (before I conclude) this questiō may be moued. That if the trou∣bles of conscience be so feareful a thing, & a quyet conscience so excellent a trea¦sure, why then is it that so manie are so carefull to preuent the troubles of the bodie, and so few carefull for the trou∣bles of their soules and consciences. For to provid remedies for povertie, & Phy∣sick for sicknes, we doe perceaue few to be slack or slouthfull, and yet to prouide any remedy in time for a sick & woūded Conscience, we see few so carefull as will loose an houres sleepe. Example hereof wee may perceaue in Iosephs brethren, who sleeped with wounded and guiltie consciences securely, for the space of ma∣ny yeares, albeit they were very carefull so soone as they were punished with fa∣mine, to prouide a hasty remedy there∣fore, but regarded not the sin commit∣ted

against Ioseph, & guiltines of their cō∣sciences, vntill the Lord wakened them to their griefe. So did Dauid forget his murther and adulterie for a years space, and ay & while the Lord wakened him vp to repentance by his Prophet Nathan For answer to this question, I say, that it is because we desire to colour our sinnes and hyde the same, as did our first parēts vntill God himselfe did reueale them, & this chiefely doe all Adams children that are not renewed by Christ, and so shal all such doe, as haue a sleeping and carelesse Conscience (as haue moste men at this day) vntill they be eyther wakend vp by gods Prophets, and his word to try their consciences, or else by God himselfe, by some inwarde griefe or outward trouble before their death, or in death to their endles griefe, or then after death to their euerlasting damnation.

Let vs therefore know, what thinge Conscience is in time. What are the tor∣ments of an euill Conscience, what are the exercises or workes of Conscience. What are the kinds & sortes of Consci∣ences: and lastly, what are mens dueties

concerning conscience, and how he may get a good Conscience, preserue the same when it is gotten, and preuent the troubles thereof, and being troubled, af∣ter what maner he may be releiued out of the troubles of it. All the which things are expresly to be found in Gods word: and therefore, let vs endeuour our selues seriously with earnest prayer, to seeke them and search them out of the same. That we may through patience & Com∣forte thereof, conceaue an assured hope (with the testimony of an excusing con∣science, squared rightly with the rule of the word, of euerlasting life, through Ie∣sus Christ our Lord, To whome be all honour, prayse and glory, for euer. Amen.

Notes

• 1
• 2 Mans due∣tie is two fould con∣cerning conscience
• 3 three thing are neede∣full
• 6 Gal. 3.10, Preparati∣on what.
• Lamen. 3.40.
• Zepha, 2, 1
• Act. 15.10
• 5
• 6 The appli∣cation of the reme¦dy.
• Rom, 3.20 Rom, 10, 4 1, Cor, 1, 3, Gal. 3.24,
• 7 two things needefull to appre∣hende and keepe Christ.
• Pro. 28, 13,
• 1. Ioh. 1.9.
• Math. 1.21
• 8 The riches & pleasurs of the faithfull, & which they shuld euer seeke for, is a good con∣science.
• Pro. 15.15.
• 9 Mans se∣cond due∣ty concer∣ning con∣science.
• 10 Three thinges to be avoyd∣ed 1. ig-nor∣ance. Pro. 29 2. 2, Kings 17, 26,
• Psal. 95.10,
• Math, 22, 29, Rom. 1, 28
• Chrysost.
• Let vs bee displeased with sinne and the lustes of the fleshe.
• Rom, 7, 25
• The reme¦dies of a troubled consciēce.
• They that go to hea∣uen, must saile by hell.
• Question.
• Answer.
• Rom, 15, 4