The 2d. Use is •or trial, If a Believer when he is in case, and right, will have it for his exercise, to walk so as he may have a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men, then this will be a differencing mark, ⟨p. 39⟩betwixt a Believer and an un-believer, the one singly aimeth, and seriously endeavoureth to have a good Conscience, and to walk so, as in nothing he may offend his Conscience; The other ha•h no such design nor endeavour: If then this Doctrine hold true, and if this be the Believers exercise, to walk so as to please his Conscience in all things, and in nothing to offend it, sure such a Conscience is proper and peculiar to the Believer; and so may be an evidence of one that hath an interest in Christ: This will be more clear, if we look, 1. To the use that the Saints recorded in Scripture make of a good Conscience, and that the Scripture willeth and alloweth them to make of it, in their trials, and troubles, in their straits, and difficulties, as 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoicing▪ the testimony of our conscience &c. And in this place Paul •lyeth to it, as his refuge, and comforts himself by it, in and against his present strait; now if it were not a Character and mark of a Christian indeed, it would not be, nor be allowed to be made such a ground of peace & quietness to Believers in their straits. 2. It is clear from the nature of Conscience, its testifying, which is not its own or from and for it self only, but also, and principally from and for God; Therefore 1 John 3. 19▪ 20, 21, 22. it is said, Hereby we know we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before God, for if our hearts condemn us, God is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things, but if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God; And 1 Pet. 3. 21. It's called the answer of a good conscience; That is such an answer as giveth quietness and a good Testimony to Believers, when all speak against them, or speak evil of them: Now this answer of a good Conscience is not a mans bare apprehension that his Conscience is good, but it takes in these Three▪ 1. Not only the Conscience its saying nothing against the person, but positively speaking for him, 2. It is such a Conscience as hath its testimony grounded on the Word of God, 3.
The 2d. Use is •or tryal, If a Believer when he is in case, and right, will have it for his exercise, to walk so as he may have a Conscience void of offence toward God and toward men, then this will be a differencing mark, ⟨p. 39⟩betwixt a Believer and an un-believer, the one singly aimeth, and seriously endeavoureth to have a good Conscience, and to walk so, as in nothing he may offend his Conscience; The other ha•h no such design nor endeavour: If then this Doctrine hold true, and if this be the Believers exercise, to walk so as to please his Conscience in all things, and in nothing to of•end it, sure such a Conscience is proper and peculiar to the Believ•r; and so may be an evidence of one that hath an interest in Christ: This will be more clear, if we look, 1. To the use that the Saints recorded in Scripture make of a good Conscience, and that the Scripture willeth and alloweth them to make of it, in their tryals, and troubles, in their straits, and difficulties, as 2 Cor. 1. 12. This is our rejoycing▪ the testimony of our conscience &c. And in this place Paul •lyeth to it, as his refuge, and comforts himself by it, in and against his present strait; now if it were not a Character and mark of a Christian indeed, it would not be, nor be allowed to be made such a ground of peace & quietness to Believers in their straits. 2. It is clear from the nature of Conscience, its testifying, which is not its own or from and for it self only, but also, and principally from and for God; Therefore 1 Iohn 3. 19▪ 20, 21, 22. it is said, Hereby we know we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before God, for if our hearts condemn us, God is greater then our hearts, and knoweth all things, but if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God; And 1 Pet. 3. 21. It's called the answer of a good conscience; That is such an answer as giveth quietness and a good Testimony to Believers, when all speak against them, or speak evil of them: Now this answer of a good Conscience is not a mans bare apprehension that his Conscence is good, but it takes in these Three▪ 1. Not only the Conscience its saying nothing against the person, but positively speaking for him, 2. It is such a Conscience as hath its testimony grounded on the Word of God, 3.
