The question is how far the conscience is entirely and perfectly clear before God: not if one has a doctrinal certainty by faith that God will not impute, which is quite right; but if the conscience is entirely purified as a present thing in the presence of God. If not, Satan has a handle against us. And this peace of the conscience cannot be had till we have judged our sin as God judges it; for this is the effect of the light, that is, of God's presence. It is thus that truth in the inward parts, or practical purifying, goes on with conscience-purifying. The great thing is for one to be one's self before God: for this, it is well to be assured as a doctrinal certainty that God cannot impute anything to the believer, for that is of faith; but then going to God that one's conscience may be perfectly in the light and all right with God. If this be so, there will be no need of much speaking to man.