The Conscience

The heart is often taken for the conscience in Scripture. A good conscience, called a merry heart, is 'a continual feast' (Prov. 15:15). Now, the conscience of God's children is never so sleepy, but it awakens in some measure. Though perhaps it may be deadened in a particular act, yet there is so much life in it that there will be an opening of it, and a yielding at length to the strength of spiritual reason. His conscience is not seared. David was but a little roused by Nathan, yet you see how he presently confessed openly that he had sinned (2 Sam. 12:13). When David had numbered the people, his conscience presently smote him (2 Sam. 24:10); and when he resolved to kill Nabal and all his family, which was a wicked and carnal passion, in which there was nothing but flesh; yet when he was stopped by the advice and discreet counsel of Abigail, we see how presently he yielded (1 Sam. 25:32). There is a kind of perpetual tenderness of conscience in God's people.
Answerable to these inward powers of conscience is the outward obedience of God's children. In their sleepy state they go on in a course of obedience. Though deadly and coldly, and not with the glory that may give others good example or yield themselves comfort, yet there is a pattern of good duties. His usual way is good, however he may misstep. In Christ he is awake, this is his state as a Christian; but his sleepiness may result in missteps out of which he recovers himself.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Love of Christ (Bowels Opened), pp. 80-81 [79-80]
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