Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

darkened, seared, or hardened conscience is that which has little or none
of this divine light; the soul having by repeated transgressions so grieved
the Spirit of God, that it has withdrawn its light, in consequence of which,
the man feels no remorse, but goes on in repeated acts of transgression,
unaffected either by threatenings or promises; and careless about the
destruction which awaits it; this is what the Scriptures mean by the
"conscience being seared as with a hot iron;" that is, by repeated
transgressions, and resisting of the Holy Ghost. The word conscience
itself vindicates the above explanation: it is compounded of con,
"together or with," and scio, "I know;" because it knows, or combines
with, by or together with, the Spirit of God.
From the above, I think we may safely make the following
inferences:—1. All men have what is commonly termed conscience, and
conscience plainly supposes the influence of the divine Spirit in it,
convincing of sin, righteousness, and judgment. 2. The Spirit of God is
given to enlighten, convince, strengthen, and bring men back to God, and
fit them for glory by purifying their hearts. 3. Therefore all men may be
saved who attend to and coincide with the convictions and light
communicated; for the God of the Christians does not give men his Spirit
to enlighten, that is, merely to leave them without excuse; but that it may
direct, strengthen, lead them to himself, that they may be finally saved.
4. That this Spirit comes from the grace of God, is demonstrable from
hence: it is a good and perfect gift; and St. James says, "All such come
from the Father of lights." Besides, it is such a grace as cannot be
merited; for, as it is God's Spirit, it is of infinite value; yet it is given.
That, then, which is not merited, and yet is given, must be of grace, not
condemning or ineffectual grace, for no such principle comes from or
resides in the Godhead.
Thus it appears that all men are partakers of the grace of God; for all
acknowledge that conscience is common to all; and this implies, as I hope
has been proved, the Spirit of grace given by Christ Jesus, not that the
world might be hereby condemned, but that it might be saved.
Nevertheless, multitudes who are partakers of this heavenly gift, sin