Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/84

80 and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," Matt xi. 28 to 30. And though formerly he could discern in religion nothing but crosses, trials, and sacrifices, he can now unite with the Psalmist in saying, "O how I love thy law! How sweet are thy words unto my taste! they are sweeter than honey to my mouth. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah; and thy law is my delight," Ps. cxix. 97, 103, 111, 174.

CONSCIENCE is not connate with man, but is formed within him by the religious principles, in which he has been educated, and which he believes to be true. Whatever is the quality, therefore, of those principles, such will be the conscience resulting from them. It is or may become more perfect and genuine with those, who are enlightened, and who are in a clear perception of the truths of faith, than with those, who are less so. In each case, however, it is felt as an internal bond, or dictate, directing them to cease from evil, and to think, speak, and act justly, truly, and uprightly, on every occasion in life.

The spiritual life of man consists in a true conscience, which may be considered as the point of union between his faith and charity. Hence it is, that, when a man acts according to his conscience, he acts from his spiritual life; but when he acts contrary to his conscience, he then acts contrary to his