Found in The Gospel of Grace: PERFECT SALVATION

"...Perfect, as pertaining to the conscience." —Hebrews 9:9 [KJV]

Conscience, or an inward perception of divine truth, is not common to all men; when sin is charged upon it, it perceives its guilt, knows and feels misery, and is filled with wrath. This is the peculiar glory and excellency of the gospel, it brings relief to the conscience. We say, My mind to me a kingdom is; for we feel in our minds the kingdom of Jesus. We enjoy somewhat more in Jesus than outward show and shadow; even inward, substantial comforts. What was that lord the better for the miraculous plenty in Samaria, when for his unbelief, Elisha told him, "thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat of it"?—II Kings 7:19. 

The truths of Jesus do not merely amuse our heads and engage our tongues, but we feed on them in our consciences. Like the patriarchs—Hebrews ch. 11—"We embrace them" as the very joy of our souls. The blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, sprinkles our hearts from an evil or guilty conscience, brings pardon and peace of mind to our troubled conscience, cleansing to our defiled conscience, and "by the resurrection of Jesus, we have the answer of a good conscience towards God,"—I Peter 3:21. 

Herein we glory in being perfectionists; nothing but this can make us "perfect pertaining to the conscience;" for the law maketh nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope does; Jesus is our hope; by Him we draw nigh to God; in His blood we perceive and know by faith we have a perfect atonement and perfect cleansing from all our sins, perfect deliverance from the condemnation of the law; in His righteousness we are perfectly accepted and justified before God; this is our wedding garment; this we have, being married to the Lamb; we dare not look to any thing else for perfection; if we do, we feel the smart of it; our conscience is defiled. 

That we may have and keep a good conscience, purged from dead works to serve the living God, we exercise our minds on Jesus; so we rejoice in Jesus, and walk with Him by faith. Conscience is the best friend or the worst enemy; a sense of guilt makes it our worst enemy; Jesus makes it our best friend. To maintain peace and perfection of conscience, observe first, the moment the guilt of sin is felt, confess it to Jesus, and pray Him to take it away. 

Secondly, seek not that from the law of works which can only be found in the gospel of grace, perfect salvation. Thirdly, look not for that in yourselves which is only in Jesus, perfect righteousness. Fourthly, expect not that in this world which can only be enjoyed in the next, perfect freedom from all sin. "Jesus is our rock, His work is perfect."—Deuteronomy 32:4.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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