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

1. We say, That there are some Things▪ or Cases wherein upon just ground the Believers Conscience may challenge him, and wherein he may be said to have an evil Conscience; As beside several others, in these, 1. If we take it to be an evil Conscience, that is not only silent and mute, and ceaseth to be a reprover, for even gross Sins; but also, when wakened, justly challengeth, accuseth, and condemneth for them; a Believer may fall under it both ways, as we may see in Josephs Brethren, and in David, who had an evil Conscience, the first way when it was a sleep, and the second way after it was wakened; though an evil Conscience considered with respect to the second way, belongeth properly to this head. 2ly. If we look on an evil Conscience, as its ⟨p. 86⟩restless, disquieting, and vexing, called evil in respect of the effect of it. To wit, as it speaketh evil; so the Believer may have an evil Conscience, in respect of particular Acts; for which he is justly challenged; for he may thwart his light, and may contract guilt, and bring himself under the desert of wrath, because of that guilt; which bringeth on trouble, at least inward in his mind, and Conscience, if not outward also; As we may see in David, after his adultery; in Peter, when he denied Christ, and in many others; certainly, as to such particular practices, Believers may be said to have an evil Conscience. 3ly. If we consider a Believers state, and look upon Conscience, as speaking his being in an evil state; though doubtless it cannot warrantably charge him with, nor challenge him for that, nor can it have just ground to say to the Believer, that his state is evil; yet it may very warrantably, and on just ground be silent, as to giving him a positive Testimony, as to his good state, when he hath in such and such particulars provoked God, and caused him to hide his Face; as when David fell so •oully, his Conscience might warrantably withdraw, and its like did withdraw its comfortable Testimony concerning his good state before God▪ and though Conscience here be in its duty, in withholding its Testimony from the Believer, while he is in such a Case, yet as it doth withhold it, and so deprives him of the comfort resulting therefrom, it may, in so far, be called an evil Conscience to him; though it be not in it self, and sinfully so.

1. We say, That there are some Things or Cases wherin upon just ground the Believers Conscience may challenge him, and wherin he may be said to have an evil Conscience; As beside several others, in these, 1. If we take it to be ane evil Conscience, that is not only silent and mute, and ceaseth to be a reprover, for even gross Sins; but also, when wakened, justly challengeth, accuseth, and condemneth for them; a Believer may fall under it both ways, as we may see in Iosephs Brethren, and in David, who had ane evil Conscience, the first way when it was a sleep, and the second way after it was wakened; though ane evil Conscience considered with respect to the second way, belongeth properly to this head. 2ly. If we look on ane evil Conscience, as its