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I. WHAT IS CONSCIENCE? There are certain phenomena of our moral nature of which all men are conscious.

1. The perception of moral distinctions.

2. A sense of moral obligation.

3. A feeling of approbation and disapprobation in regard to self and others. Whether and how far these exercises belong to the cognitive faculties, and how far to the susceptibilities — reason or feeling — is hard to determine. They are rational in so far as they suppose a rational nature and involve the exercise of reason. But every cognition when its object, moral or aesthetic, is not an act of the pure reason, involves feeling as well as knowledge.

II. ITS ATTRIBUTES. It is —

1. Universal.

2. Innate.

3. Representative.

4. Independent.

5. Authoritative.

6. Indestructible.

III. CONDITIONS OF A HEALTHY CONSCIENCE.

1. Knowledge, which is light. Conscience needs this just as taste needs correct principles. Some knowledge is original and intuitive, other is acquired.

2. Due susceptibility. Men differ much as to this point. It may be excessive or deficient, but for a healthful conscience due susceptibility is necessary. So that moral distinctions do not concern light matters, or trifles give as much concern as serious matters.

3. Strength to constrain obedience. Sickly sentimentality is very different from a sound healthful conscience.

IV. ITS DISEASES.

1. Perversion. This is due either to wrong principles, or to prejudices and passion. The cure is to be found in knowledge, objective and subjective.

2. Obduracy. Cause — ignorance and crime; cure — knowledge, regeneration, sanctification.

3. Scrupulosity. Cause — either weakness of conviction or undue sensibility, not really moral, but a sensitiveness analogous to false shame, bashfulness, etc. Cure — growth in strength. Be strong in faith.

4. Wounded conscience. The only cure is, the blood of Jesus, confession, restitution, reformation.

V. THE IMMENSE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT. On it depend —

1. Our excellence.

2. Our happiness.

3. Our usefulness.

(C. Hodge, D. D.)

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KJV: And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

WEB: Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.