The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

Rule. 4 Get and keep a tender Conscience. Be sensible of the least sin. As the apple of the eye (the fittest Emblem, in the world, of a tender conscience) is not only offended, with it blow or wound, but if so much as a little dust or smoke get in, it weeps them out. Some mens consciences are like the stomach of the Ostrich which digesteth iron, they can swallow and concoct the most notorious sins, swearing, drunkenness, &c. without regret, their consciences are seared as with an hot iron, as the Apostle phraseth it, 1 Tim. 4.2. they have so inured their souls to the grossest wickedness as the Psylli a people of Africa whom Plutarch mentions, had their bodies to the eating poison, that it becomes ⟨p. 93⟩as it were natural. But a good conscience hath a delicate sense, it is the most tender thing in the whole world, it feels the least touch of known sin, and grieves at the grieving of Gods good Spirit, not only for quenching, or resisting, or rebelling against the Holy Ghost, but even for grieving the holy Spirit of promise whereby it is sealed to the day of redemption, Eph. 4.80. The most tender hearted Christian, he is the stoutest and most valiant Christian. Happy is the man that feareth always, but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief, Prov. 28.14. it is the truest magnanimity, and heroic courage in our spiritual warfare to tremble at the least iniquity. A Christian is never fitter to endure hardness as a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ, ¹then when his conscience is most tender. To be such a coward as not to dare to break any one of Gods Commandments, is to be the valiantest person in the world, for such a one will choose the greatest evil of suffering, before the least of sinning; and however the jeering Ishmaels of the world, be ready to reproach, and laugh one to scorn, for this niceness, and precise scrupulosity (as they term it) yet the choice (if God be but wiser then vain man) is a very wise one.

Rule. 4 Get and keep a tender Conscience. Be sensible of the least sin. As the apple of the eye (the fittest Emblem, in the world, of a tender conscience) is not only offended, with it blow or wound, but if so much as a little dust or smoak get in, it weeps them out. Some mens consciences are like the stomack of the Estrich which digesteth iron, they can swallow and concoct the most notorious sins, swearing, drunkenness, &c. without regret, their consciences are seared as with an hot iron, as the Apostle phraseth it,