Acts 24:16

DISCOURSE: 1809A CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE [Note: This Analysis of the foregoing Sermon is added, in order that the reader may see how easily a Skeleton may be turned into an entire Sermon.]

Acts 24:16. Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

THE Gospel is often represented as unfavourable to morality, but true believers are living monuments of its sanctifying influence. St. Paul was deemed a “fellow not worthy to live upon the earth;” he was accused of sedition, heresy, and profaneness [Note: ver. 5, 6.], but he distinctly and satisfactorily disproved the allegations [Note: Respecting Sedition, ver. 12. Heresy, ver. 14, 15. Profaneness, in general, ver. 16; in the particular that had been specified, ver. 17, 18.], and boldly affirmed that his principles had quite an opposite effect [Note: If ἐν τοὐτψ were translated on this account (as it might be), the connexion between his principles and conduct would he more clearly marked.]—

We shall endeavour to shew,

I.

What is that attainment which every true Christian labours for—

A metaphysical inquiry into the nature of conscience would be to little profit. Its office is to testify the quality of our actions, and to regulate our conduct agreeably to some standard of right and wrong [Note: It regards actions rather than sentiments, and the good or evil that is in them rather than any prudential considerations respecting them.]. The rule whereby it should judge, is, the word of God, and it is considered as good or evil, according to the verdict it gives.

Not that it is void of offence merely because it does not accuse—

[There are many so immersed in cares or pleasures that they never reflect on the state of their souls [Note: Hosea 7:2.]; and, if at any time their conscience be alarmed, they instantly endeavour to check its clamours, and restore its tranquillity. Others persuade themselves that they have no cause for fear, and that they shall have peace notwithstanding all their sins [Note: Jeremiah 8:11.Deuteronomy 29:19; Deuteronomy 29:19.]: others have, by resisting, quenched the light within them, and thus have reduced themselves to a state of awful obduracy [Note: 1 Timothy 4:2.]. Such persons have no other than “an evil conscience.”]

Nor is a conscience necessarily void of offence, even though it should approve—

[Many propose to themselves a false standard of right and wrong. By conforming to their own principles they may gain the approbation of their own minds: but it does not therefore follow that they are innocent. Their mistakes cannot change the quality of their actions: error may extenuate, but cannot remove their guilt [Note: Would those who think it meritorious to extirpate heretics, or those, of whom our Lord speaks, John 16:2. be justified in following the dictates of their deluded consciences? St. Paul determines this in his own ease, compare Acts 26:9-11. with 1Co 15:9 and 1 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:15.].]

To be truly void of offence, conscience must have a clear discovery of the rule of duty—

[The rule of duty is concise and plain [Note: Matthew 22:37-40.]; this however, though allowed in theory, is practically denied. Men persuade themselves that the love of the world will consist with their duty to God [Note: 1 John 2:15.]; and that pride, envy, selfishness, &c. may accord with love to man [Note: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.]. How should conscience, thus blinded, give a just verdict? or how should its blindness cause that to be good which is in itself evil?]

It should be able also to testify upon good grounds that there is a correspondence between that rule and our actions—

[It should be in the habit of examining our principles and motives, and be on its guard against any bias from prejudice or passion: it should be able to appeal to God for the truth of its testimony; not that it need to testify of sinless perfection [Note: That is not possessed by any, James 3:2.]; but it must testify, that, after the strictest search, it can find no sin habitually indulged, or duty allowedly neglected.]

“A good conscience” being that which every true Christian labours to maintain, I proceed to mark,

II.

The vast importance of it to every child of man—

To labour for it is certainly the character of all who fear God—[The world are satisfied with gaining the applause of men; but the Christian makes but little account of man’s judgment [Note: 1 Corinthians 4:3.]. He knows that the eye of God is upon his heart [Note: Hebrews 4:13.]: he therefore “studies to approve himself to God:” he has respect to every part of his duty “toward God and man [Note: He does not think that his observance of relative duties supersedes the necessity of delight in God; nor, on the other hand, that the devoutest exercise of prayer and praise can absolve him from his obligations to equity and mercy. James 3:17.]:” and this, not at certain seasons only, but always: nor will he be deterred by any regard to ease, or interest, or fear. Inquiring only, “What is duty?” he will say with the Apostle [Note: Acts 21:13.]—.]

Nor can any one be a true Christian who has not attained it—[Every pardoned sinner is supposed to be without guile [Note: Psalms 32:2.]. All in the primitive Church are spoken of in this light [Note: Philippians 1:10; Philippians 2:15. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:23.]. St. Paul did not hesitate to affirm that such was his character [Note: Act 23:1. 2 Corinthians 1:12.]. And the same is ascribed to one who, in point of experience, was far inferior to him [Note: John 1:47.]: nor is any one in a state of salvation who has not attained it [Note: Many things may conspire to rob a Christian of the comfort of such a conscience, (the corruptions of his heart, the temptations of Satan, and even bodily disorders, may cause him to despond for a season) but a just ground for such a conscience he cannot but possess.]. This is expressly asserted by David [Note: Psalms 66:18.], and St. John [Note: 1 John 3:8-10. If this were rigorously interpreted, it would contradict other passages of scripture, 1 Kings 8:46. But to reconcile it with allowed sin is impossible.].]

Application—

[We all are willing to believe ourselves real Christians, and it is painful to rob any one of so comfortable a hope. Let us then, as Christians, unite our acknowledgments to God [Note: Romans 9:1-2.]. Let us adore him for that grace, whereby he enables us to maintain, always, and in all things, a conscience void of offence. But if, in this appeal to him, we feel misgivings, or conscience suggest an opposite testimony, let us remember that admonition [Note: 1 John 3:20-21.]—.]