Opinions, Conscience, and Victory Over Sin
By Jos. Clarke
OUR opinions on religious matters, are of little consequence to us, or others, unless they affect our lives, and form our characters anew. We must not mistake the terror of slavish fear for conviction of sin; nor confound our sense of mortification, with humility. People who deceive others, have first deceived themselves. A tender conscience is preserved by obeying its dictates implicitly. It can be soon perverted by violating it. A victory over sin must have its seat and conflict in the affections, or be fought over again; otherwise it is no victory. Exterior means are a help in the beginning of warfare; but it must be completed by an act of the free will, from choice. JOS. CLARKE.