A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

And so much generally of the matter which a good conscience testifieth, namely, peace and good things, and of the manner how it giveth witness, to wit, truly, and according to the rule of Gods Word, wherein the peace which it bringeth diversly, differeth from the peace of an ill conscience. Now we are to speak more particularly of the good things whereof it giveth evidence, and of the fruit and benefit which ariseth from it. First, it witnesseth unto us truly, and according to the rule of Gods Word, that all our sins are pardoned, and we reconciled unto God; not by any satisfaction which our selves have made, or any worthiness in us, for which God should accept us above others; but only out of our assurance of faith, which persuadeth us, that God, of his free grace and mercy, for the alone merits and satisfaction of Jesus Christ, hath forgiven us all our sins, and accepteth of us in the face of his best ¹Beloved, in whom only he is well pleased: upon which ground, a good conscience giveth comfortable evidence, not only when we please our ⟨p. 78⟩selves in the sight and sense of Gods graces in us, and in our cheerful obedience and best services which we perform to God: but also when we see and feel our corruptions, and imperfections, our slips, falls, and manifold failings in our best actions: Because it giveth evidence, according to the assurance of faith, which is grounded on Gods mercies and Christs merits, and not upon our works and worthiness, and therefore cannot be overthrown by our wants and weaknesses, our corruptions and unworthiness. In which respect, the Apostle saith, that baptism doth save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good