of your consciences, and maintain and keep up a constant tenderness
were better to let friends go, relations go, estate go, liberty go, and all
go—than let his integrity go. "I will maintain my integrity until I die."
Job 27:5. Job is highly and fully resolved to keep his integrity,
against all assaults of enemies or suspicions of friends. Job's integrity
was the best jewel he had in all the world, and this jewel he was
resolved to keep to his dying day. It was neither good men, nor bad
men, nor devils—which could baffle Job out of his integrity; and
though they all pulled, and pulled hard, at his integrity, yet he would
not let it go, he would hold fast this pearl of great price, whatever it
cost him. The sincere Christian, like John Baptist, will hold his
integrity though he lose his head for it, Mark 6. The very heathens
loved an honest and sincere spirit, as he who wished that there was a
window in his bosom—that all the world might see what was in his
heart. Integrity will be a sword to defend you, a staff to support you,
a star to guide you, and a cordial to cheer you; and therefore, above
all gettings—get sincerity, and above all keepings—keep sincerity, as
your crown, your comfort, your life. But,
5. The fifth word of comfort and counsel is this—Be true to the light
of your consciences, and maintain and keep up a constant tenderness
in your consciences. A tender conscience is a mercy worth more than
a world. Conscience is God's spy in our bosoms: keep this clear and
tender, and then all is well, Acts 24:16; 2 Cor. 1:12. Never act against
the dictates of conscience; never rebel against the light of conscience.
It would be better that all the world should upbraid you and reproach
you—than that your consciences should upbraid you and reproach
you, Job 27:5-6. Beware of stifling conscience, and of suppressing the