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

As for the 3d: Question, What men are to do, that they may find out, and get a clear answer from their Conscience? or what is called for from them, to find out the answer of Conscience? We shall Answer this in these Three; 1. Something is to be done before we put our selves to the search, or Conscience to give it's answer▪ 2dly. Something must accompany this Duty. 3dly. Something is called for after this Duty is done. 1. We are to ⟨p. 111⟩do something before we put Conscience to it to give it's answer. And 1. It is necessary, that men be well informed of the Truth of the thing in general; for to come blindly to Conscience is to tempt it, and make it a snare to our selves; Therefore (I say) we should be well informed▪ to the end that Conscience may have ground to give a clear answer; For our Conscience is like the Judge, and our understanding like the Advocate, that maketh the Cause known; And if all things pro and contra, for, and against, be not proposed and discussed by the Advocate, Conscience, which is the Judge cannot give a distinct answer or verdict; This is the reason why many Consciences do err, because there is not pains taken to inform them. 2ly. When the Judgement is informed, men should put the Conscience to it to answer; They should not content themselves with this, that they have filled their heads with so many Arguments for such a thing, but should let them sink down to the Conscience, and study to know what Conscience thinketh of them; For Conscience (as we said before) is some way beyond bare Light; therefore, when we have gotten Light in a thing; we should not hold there, but take it aside, and communicate the matter to Conscience; As the Word is, Psal. 4. 4. Commune with your heart upon your bed; There is a communing with others in speaking with them, a communing with Books i• perusing them, a communing with our Inclinations and Affections, and taking notice what they would be at; and a communing with our Light, if we be clear in the thing; But beside all these, there should be a communing with the heart, or Conscience; which we conceive is often neglected, and men often start, and strike in with things without deliberation, thinking if they have Light for such a thing, that it is enough for making such or such a thing to be Duty: