Conscience Considered Chiefly in Reference to Moral and Religious Obligation

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ... his creatures, one written on the heart, the other in the sacred volume; between which we are bound to maintain that there is no disagreement whatever, The scriptures, by constantly referring the reader to certain principles of truth and equity which he carries in his own breast, without any attempt to unfold the meaning of the terms made use of, bears its testimony to the authority of the law within; and it is consequently impossible to lower the authority of that law, without also depreciating the authority of the scriptures by which it is asserted and vindicated. If the author has, in any degree, succeeded in throwing light upon this question, his labour will not have been in vain.1 3. While the desire of finding truth amidst the conflicting judgments of mankind, has influenced the writer of these pages to enter at some length on the several topics submitted to the attention of the reader; it will be proper to mention, as a further inducement which has powerfully operated on his mind, the confident persuasion that strong and decisive views respecting the office and authority of conscience, are not only consistent with the firm maintenance of the doctrine of gratuitous salvation by Christ alone, but that they are closely interwoven with all just views of this vitally important doctrine, and that therefore the cause of evangelical truth is essentially served by a strenuous enforcement of the claims of conscience. It affords just occasion for serious regret, that the fundamental truths of the gospel are but vaguely apprehended and coldly received, by many of those who have had the opportunity of gaining the most intimate acquaintance with them. Much of this uncertainty and coldness may be set down as the natural consequence of a lax...