III. STORE NO SORE.

JOB had a custom to offer burnt-offerings according to the number of his sons; for he said, It may be that my sons in their feasting have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. [Job i. 5.] It may be, not it must be; he was not certain, but suspected it. But now, what if his sons had not sinned? was Job’s labour lost, and his sacrifice of none effect? O no! only their property was altered; in case his sons were found faulty, his sacrifices for them were propitiatory, and through Christ obtained their pardon; in case they were innocent, his offerings were eucharistical, returning thanks to God’s restraining grace, for keeping his sons from such sins, which otherwise they would have committed.

I see in all doubtful matters of devotion, it is wisest to be on the surest side; better both lock and bolt and bar it, than leave the least door of danger open. Hast thou done what is disputable whether it be well done? Is it a measuring cast whether it be lawful or no? So that thy conscience may seem in a manner to stand neuter, sue a conditional pardon out of the court of heaven, the rather because our self-love is more prone to flatter than our godly jealousy to suspect ourselves without a cause; with such humility Heaven is well pleased. For suppose thyself over cautious, needing no forgiveness in that particular, God will interpret the pardon thou prayest for to be the praises presented unto him.