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

First, then in a word, The Apostle is here putting a difference betwixt external service, and the internal power and efficacy of the work of the Spirit of God on the Conscience; And when he is speaking of Baptism, he giveth this Caveat and Advertisement, That it is not the washing of water in that Ordinance, that reacheth the great end of it, But the answer of a good Conscience. 2ly. He showeth that the differencing, and March-ridding Character of the one from the other is, in what answer the Conscience giveth concerning the thing that the man is about; and declareth that it is not simply a good Conscience, but the answer of a good Conscience that giveth ground of Hope, and boldness of Confidence to obtain the Promise.

First, then in a word, The Apostle is here putting a difference betwixt external service, and the internal power and efficacy of the work of the Spirit of God on the Conscience; And when he is speaking of Baptism, he giveth this Caveat and Advertisement, That it is not the washing of water in that Ordinance, that reacheth the great end of it, But the answer of a good Conscience. 2ly. He sheweth that the differencing, and March-ridding Character of the one from the other is, in what answer the Conscience giveth concerning the thing that the man is about; and declareth that it is not simply a good Conscience, but the answer of a good Conscience that giveth ground of Hope, and boldness of Confidence to obtain the Promise.

From the Words these Three Observations arise clearly, First, That there is a faculty in Conscience, that is able to give •ne answer to a man concerning his spiritual state and condition, and concerning his Actions; So that if the question about these, or any of them be put to the Conscience▪ It can return answer, and signify it's sense, and give it's verdict concerning that which it is questioned about; The answer of the Conscience implieth so much. ⟨p. 103⟩2ly. That the answer of the Conscience is different and distinct from the outward answer of the mouth or profession; for a mans mouth and profession, and the external engagement that he cometh under in Baptism, or any other Ordinance or Duty, may say one thing, or give one answer, when the Conscience may say another thing, or give another answer concerning the mans sincerity in the thing. 3ly. That the answer of a good Conscience, That is, an answer from the Conscience on good grounds testifying a mans sincerity, is a most excellent and comfortable thing.