Converting Grace reneweth a man's conscience:
1. Whereas it is naturally cauterized, 1 Tim. 4. 2. it puts feeling and apprehen∣sion into us, this is the first work of Grace converting upon the soul when it begins to be tender, Ac 24. 16. and is not able to endure those heavy burdens of sin, which before; though mountains, it never felt, is also now active that was silent, Dan 9. 8; Ezr 9. 6.
2. Whereas naturally it is self-flattering, it will accuse when it ought, naturally. It stirreth in a false way, promising heaven and salvation when there is no such matter, Dt 29. 19. David's heart soon smote him, and Ps 51 he acknowledged his sin and bewailed it; and again, I and my house have sinned. Conscience speaketh the truth. Thus often thou hast prophaned the Sabbath, abused thyself and that in all the aggravations, this makes the godly lie so low in their humiliation.
3. The erroneousness of it is taken away. The mischief of an erroneous consci∣ence is seen in Popery and other heresies, how they make conscience of worshipping that which is an idol, if they should eat meat on a fasting-day, not adore the sacrament, how much would their hearts be wounded; this erroneous conscience brought in all the superstition in the world but the godly obtain a sound judgment, conscience is to be a guide.
4. The partial working of it about some works but not others, is taken away, as Herod. Ps 50. Those that abhorred idols did yet commit sacrilege; they neglect the duties of one of the tables, as the civil man's conscience is very defective, he will not be drunk, unjust, yet regards not his duty to God, is ignorant, seldom prayeth in his family, the hypocritical Jews and Pharisees would have sacrifice but not mercy.