Spiritual refining

Lastly, This Natural honesty imprinted in mens consciences, is described by an external effect, They show it, viz. in the actions of their lives, abstaining from whoredom, injustice, and murder. 2. By Internal effects, The witness and workings of Conscience, sometimes by accusation upon things ill done, sometimes by excuse and approbation, when well done. Interpreters find some difficulty about the sense of the greek words [Greek or Hebrew], In the mean while accusing, or excusing one another. That is, as some expound it, They condemn one and another, by reason of the natural light of conscience left in them about ill doing, or well doing. But others, as it is in the Margin, render it between themselves, in this sense, Every man hath a court within in his own heart, where there are accusations or defences according to the nature of the works we do, Every one hath a judge in his breast, and a Tribunal or terrible Bar in his Conscience within, by which he is condemned or acquitted. This exposition I like best; only I would render [Greek or Hebrew], not between, or the mean while, but Alternatim, By change and vicissitude, as the Greek word is sometimes used: So that the Apostles meaning is, That there is such a Law about good and evil in mens hearts, appeareth, in that all Heathens have had their Consciences one while accusing them, and at another time excusing them; one while they have been terrified, and another time comforted and quieted in their Consciences, according as they have deported themselves. Now to the whole exposition of this Text in the sense declared, may be objected all those places of Scripture which say, We are dead in sin: And Chap. 3. 10, 11, 12. &c. that long description of mans Natural filthiness, where none, no not one is said to understand, or to be righteous; especially that famous place seems directly to thwart this, where it is said, That the imaginations of the thoughts of a mans heart are only evil, and that continually. But here may be easily an happy accord found out; for those natural impressions and inclinations, which are about good and evil, are imperfect and insufficient to enable us to do that which is every way good in every circumstance; and it is only of some particular notorious things, and it is only for the matter done, not the manner of it.

Lastly, This Natural honesty imprinted in mens consciences, is described by an external effect, They shew it, viz. in the actions of their lives, abstaining from whoredome, injustice, and murther. 2. By Internal effects, The witness and workings of Conscience, sometimes by accusation upon things ill done, sometimes by excuse and approbation, when well done. Interpreters finde some difficulty about the sense of the greek words , In the mean while accusing, or excusing one another. That is, as some expound it, They condemn one and another, by reason of the natural light of conscience left in them about ill doing, or well doing. But others, as it is in the Margent, render it between themselves, in this sense, Every man hath a court within in his own heart, where there are accusations or defences according to the nature of the works we do, Every one hath a judge in his breast, and a Tribunal or terrible Bar in his Conscience within, by which he is condemned or acquicted. This exposition I like best; onely I would render , not between, or the mean while, but Alternatim, By change and vicissitude, as the Greek word is sometimes used: So that the Apostles meaning is, That there is such a Law about good and evil in mens hearts, appeareth, in that all Heathens have had their Consciences one while accusing them, and at another time excusing them; one while they have been terrified, and another time comforted and quieted in their Consciences, according as they have deported themselves. Now to the whole exposition of this Text in the sense declared, may be objected all those places of Scripture which say, We are dead in sin: And Chap. 3. 10, 11, 12. &c. that long description of mans Natural filthiness, where none, no not one is said to understand, or to be righteous; especially that famous place seems directly to thwart this, where it is said, That the imaginations of the thoughts of a mans heart are onely evil, and that continually. But here may be easily an happy accord found out; for those natural impressions and inclinations, which are about good and evil, are imperfect and insufficient to enable us to do that which is every way good in every circumstance; and it is onely of some particular notorious things, and it is onely for the matter done, not the manner of it.