Page:Black book of conscience, or, God's great and high court of justice in the soul (1).pdf/13

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
of Conscience.
13

Christ and the scriptures, and cast off the ordinances and ministry of Christ and live as they list, and refuse subjection to magistrates, and in their actions become worse than beasts; why they do hold such damnable and devilish opinions, both against God and Christ; yea against humanity itself? Ask them the reason of these things? and what do they say? It is from the light within us, it is the liberty of our consciences: And have we not sought for liberty of conscience? Ah! cursed-wretches, the light within you is darkness; Is this the liberty of thy conscience? No, no, this is the liberty of thy lusts, and the delusions of the devil. Thou hast seared thy conscience with a hot iron; but yet at last thy conscience, though thou hast defiled it ever so much, will put the saddle upon the right horse, and charge thee home with all the blame. Is liberty of conscience, a liberty to sin? No, God forbid, Shall we sin, saith St. Paul, Romans vi. 1. that grace may abound? O God forbid, I dare not, saith a gracious heart, conscience tells me I must not. How shall I, saith Joseph, Gen. xxx. 7. do this great wickedness, and sin against God? The grace of God, saith the apostle, Tit. ii. 11, 12. that brings salvation, teacheth men to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live