Reformed Covenanter
Cancelled Commissioner
... Consider attentively the following observations: 1. Conscience unrenewed condemns sin and the sinner; but grace mortifies sin and saves the sinner. 2. Conscience is partial and blind, condemning only some sins; but grace is universal in its aim, at least, and endeavour in mortifying every sin and the whole body of sin. 3. Conscience acts only at intervals, and is temporary; but grace is permanent and lasting. 4. Conscience may condemn with real hatred any one sin as sin; but grace hates it altogether and irreconcilably; therefore nothing will satisfy it less than the total destruction of sin.
5. There is an impotency in the workings of the natural conscience, and it is soon discouraged; but grace deals much with Christ and his gospel, finds strength to help in time of need, and is unwearied as well as courageous, in its lusting and warring against sin. The language of grace is evermore, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” It will not therefore yield or give over until it has obtained a complete victory and deliverance. 6. There is nothing of true genuine humility in the workings of natural conscience; but it is peevish, and murmuring, and at variance with God, His law, and His Providence: but grace is supple, rolls in the dust, and is sweetly humble, and falls in, as it were naturally, with God and His ways, with His law, Gospel, and Providence. ...
For more, see Thomas Charles on the difference between natural conscience and grace.
5. There is an impotency in the workings of the natural conscience, and it is soon discouraged; but grace deals much with Christ and his gospel, finds strength to help in time of need, and is unwearied as well as courageous, in its lusting and warring against sin. The language of grace is evermore, “In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” It will not therefore yield or give over until it has obtained a complete victory and deliverance. 6. There is nothing of true genuine humility in the workings of natural conscience; but it is peevish, and murmuring, and at variance with God, His law, and His Providence: but grace is supple, rolls in the dust, and is sweetly humble, and falls in, as it were naturally, with God and His ways, with His law, Gospel, and Providence. ...
For more, see Thomas Charles on the difference between natural conscience and grace.
