Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…

For the second Question, How may the impulse of Conscience be known and discerned from the impulse of Credit Interest, inclinations, Will and Affection? Answer, By the Word, To the law and to the testimony, Isa. 8. 20 Conscience is subject to that, and Conscience never readily ⟨p. 23⟩pouseth against duty holden out by the Word; Conscience would never bid Herod take away the life of an innocent man. 2. If a man be dark and doubtful in a particular, Conscience as Conscience is always single; but Credit, Interest, and th• like, have always some by-respect, which stealeth in and drowneth Conscience, representing to it that such and such loss or prejudice will follow on such a thing: Interest and Reputation will make a man say, I would no• do such a thing if I could do otherways; but shall I hazard all my estate, and possibly my life also? this I may not do; and when interest and particularity prevail, they make him to step over Conscience, and to think that he doth no fault; when it is some particular hazard that swayeth him▪ interest is satisfied from a supposed necessity, but Conscience acknowledgeth not that rule; in outward things when the man can do no other ways it will put him to choose suffering. 3. When Credit, Interest, and the like pouss, their impulse is partial and violent, but the impulse of Conscience is impartial and sober; Conscience swaying the man, pouseth him from the awe of God, and from love to him, and to all that is known to be duty, impartially, as to pray, read, meditate, confer, &c. but when interest, credit, or inclination sway him, they will drive him to one thing and not to another, and more especially to that which may satisfy his humour▪ and that violently; but for the more exercising duties of Religion, as to humble himself before God, to repent of sin, to meditate, &c. it doth not pouss or but very coldly and slowly: as some men will have an impulse to provide for their families, and they will ride and run for that, but if any object of Charity offer, or if there be any hazard of loss for Christ and the Gospels sake, these will be silent there, or if Conscience mutter, it will not be much regarded in what it says. Now if Conscience swayed the man here, there would be an impartial respect had to one duty as well as to another. 4.