A37045:283
Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace…
Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in the sweet peace and solid joy of a good conscience sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and exercised always to be void of offence toward God and toward men : brought down and holden forth in XXII very searching sermons on several texts of Scripture ... / by James Durham.
Edinburgh: printed by the heir of Andrew Anderson, 1685
Title page typeset from the transcription.
HEAVEN upon EARTH in a Serene and Smiling good Conscience. › Sermons on n1 peter 3.21 › Sermon 2
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The 2d. Question is, Seeing Conscience may be silent, or though it answer, may not be taken up, nor understood, what is to be done in this, and the like Cases? Answer, 1. We should aim to know, if our unclearness in such a particular, proceed from the silence of Conscience, or from some Tentation, or distemper of Spirit in us? 2dly. Whither it flow from a sinful Cause on our part, or from Gods Sovereignty? 3dly. We should learn how to apply our selves aright, to take up these causes. 4thly. What it is that we should do, when none of these are discerned? 5thly. What it is that we should do, if our unclearness and darkness continue? or what general grounds may warrant us in our choice? or, how we ought to make use of these general grounds, when we cannot take up Particulars?
The 2d. Question is, Seing Conscience may be silent, or though it answer, may not be taken up, nor understood, what is to be done in this, and the like Cases? Answer, 1. We should aim to know, if our unclearnesse in such a particular, proceed from the silence of Conscience, or from some Tentation, or distemper of Spirit in us? 2dly. Whither it flow from a sinful Cause on our part, or from Gods Soveraignity? 3dly. We should learn how to apply our selves aright, to take up these causes. 4thly. What it is that we should do, when none of these are discerned? 5thly. What it is that we should do, if our unclearnesse and darknesse continue? or what general grounds may warrand us in our choice? or, how we ought to make use of these general grounds, when we cannot take up Particulars?
For the 1. Direction in such a Case, we say, when men have unclearness, they should inquire, […] it be an unclearness from a silence in the Conscience, or from a Tentation, or Distemper in themselves; And if this once be known, the Cause is in a manner win; for, if it be known to be a Tentation, or a sinful Distemper, it is not to be stood on, though what we are called to, thwart our own Inclination, and Affection, and speak out matter of Fear and Hazard; As we see in the Case of Moses, and Jeremiah; when God maketh the man to put his hand into his bosom, as it were, (as if the result were to be had there,) that cleareth him, and he yieldeth; And if it flow not from any Tentation, or Distemper, we should look forward, and inquire from what Cause it cometh.