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