rov. xv. 15. Make him never
such a great man in the world, he would utterly despise it, and count
himself more blessed in the pardon of sin, and the friendship of God, than
all the enjoyments of this world. He is better in some respect than if he
had never sinned, for his sin is, as it were, not before God. And withal
he hath got not only acquittance from guilt, but acquaintance with Jesus
Christ, the Blessing of the nations, and the Desire of all the families of
the earth. Now may he triumph and boast in Christ Jesus. Who shall
condemn? It is God that justifies, it is Christ that died, and is risen
again. He may say with David, "I will not fear, though my iniquities
compass me about;" and with Job, "If he cause quietness, who can give
trouble?" We observe then that,

I. Before a man come to Christ, he has an ill conscience; for either he is
at peace with himself, and absolves himself, saying, I shall have peace,
though I walk in the abominations of my heart, Deut. xxix. 19; or he also
says, "Because I am innocent," therefore God will turn away his wrath,
Jer. ii. 35. He cries peace, peace, when there is no peace, (Ezek. xiii.
10.) and that is but a desperate condition, and a bad conscience, if any
can be so called. This is the secure and seared conscience, that either
doth not judge itself, because a man hath beaten it flint hard, or is
constantly absolving itself upon false grounds. That is the conscience
that in all the creation is nearest the desperate conscience, that shall
never have a good answer. His sin is but lying at the door like Cain's,
and shall enter in when judgment comes. He is but flattering himself in
his own eyes, till his iniquity be found hateful, and till sudden
destruction comes as an armed man. Look upon Deut. xxix. 20, and see such
a man's case. There is no peace for him, the Lord will not pity nor spare
him, but pour upon him all the curses of the law, even when he blesses
himself in his own eyes. In short, he is such as is awakened to see where
he is, and condemns himself according to the word; and that is a better
and a more hopeful conscience than the former, yet it is but an ill
conscience. Conscience doth act its part aright, and in so far it is good,
but the man is but in a miserable condition. Withal it gives such a wound
to the soul, as none can bear it. All the sad affections which take up
men's spirits come in, and this is the worm which never dies in hell, and
the fire which shall ne