Acts 24:15

Our apostle had made. free and open profession of his religion in the foregoing verse, After the way called heresy do. worship the God of my fathers.

Here at the 15th verse he asserts the doctrine of the resurrection, which was. principal article both of the Jewish and the Christian religion; I have hope toward God, that there shall be. resurrection both of the just and unjust.

And having made. declaration of his faith, ver. 14,15. he next gives an account of his life, at verse 16. Herein do. exercise myself, to have always. conscience void of offence toward God and toward men.

Observe here, 1. What is the principle and guide of. good man's actions; and that is, conscience. The word and law of God is the rule of our actions, but conscience is the immediate guide and director of them.

Observe, 2. The extent of. good man's pious practice: To keep. conscience void of offence toward God and man. To exercise. faithful care in performing the duties of both tables, is both an argument of our sincerity, and an ornament to our profession.

Observe, 3. The apostle's constancy and perseverance in this course; to have always. conscience void of offence. We must not make conscience of our duty by fits and starts; but in the whole course and tenor of our lives and actions. Religion should be. constant frame and temper of mind.

Observe, 4. The apostle's earnest care and endeavour to this purpose, Herein do. exercise myself. The original word is of an intense signification, and denotes the apostle's applying his mind, in good earnest, to be thoroughly instructed in all the parts and points of his duty, and his being very careful and conscientious in the discharge and performance of it.

Observe, 5. What was the apostle's great motive and encouragement to do all this; namely, the belief of the resurrection, and the future state of rewards and punishments consequent upon it. Because I hope for. resurrection both of the just and unjust; therefore, do. exercise myself to have always. conscience void of offence. If we believe the resurrection of the dead, and the judgment to come, we shall be very careful to discharge. good conscience now, in order to the rendering. good account of ourselves then.

Happy man, who, when he goes into another world, carries with him thither. conscience clear of all guilt, either by innocency or repentance! For verily at the hour of death, to be free from stings and upbraidings, from the terrors and tortures, from the confusion and amazement, of. guilty conscience, is. happiness so desirable, that it is well worth the care and best endeavours of our whole life.

May the apostle's exercise be our daily practice, namely, To keep. conscience void of offence toward God, and toward all men!