WE should mortify every natural inclination which, though lawful in itself, we, in our own souls, are conscious would, if indulged by ourselves, deaden that susceptibility of soul, and blunt the edge of conscience, which it is so important, so essentially necessary, to keep alive and keen, if we would be happy and strong. We have no communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit, but in the new man, through the blood of Jesus. If the flesh in the saint be unmortified, all joy, all sensible peace, are gone, because the Spirit being grieved, His testimony in the conscience to the prevailing efficacy, the peace-establishing virtue of the blood, is silent; and His presence will only be known as the Convincer of sin, till, confession being made, peace is again restored. The conscience of the saint can only be restored, after sin, by a fresh application of the blood thereto, i.e., by looking again to Jesus. Jesus, in the grace of His heart, the preciousness of Himself, the virtue of His blood, is in the conscience by faith for present peace, and power in service, or, sin is there for sorrow, shame, and weakness. There is no middle path for the saint as pertaining to the conscience. His standing in Christ risen remains the same at all times, under all circumstances. This is a fact to hold fast, but it is a fact only known in the joy of it, as we walk confidingly with God, and, in the power of the Spirit, are mortifying the flesh with its affections and lusts. The conscience, however, being purged by the blood of Jesus, and so made a good conscience, must be regulated by the Word, otherwise we may be disobeying Christ, while we think to do Him service.