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

But it may be Asked here▪ How shall People know whither their unclearness doth proceed from a sinful Distemper in themselves▪ or from the silence of Conscience, not speaking at all? Answer, To find out this, will be a piece of Christian exercise▪ and will need much humility, and self-denial an heavenly frame, and much ⟨p. 128⟩serious Prayer to God; And though […] be difficult to condescend on particular Rules in […] Cases, yet we shall give some general considerations, that will help how to find it out; And 1. See i• ye be indifferent in the thing, (if it be so in it's own nature) for if it be a Tentation, or sinful Distemper that prevaileth, ye will not be indifferent, but fixed, resolute, and peremptory; Inclination, Affection or Interest will sway you, to one side and hold you there; And therefore your great work should be, to see if ye be single, and unbiased; And for this end consider, 1. If ye had your choice what it would be; And if the heart confidently adventure to make the choice, and if ye be inclined more to the one side then to the other; it's presumption to say, that ye are indifferent in the thing. 2dly. When you go to Prayer, see that there be not one side that ye incline to, more then another; and that ye sl•p not insensibly into a Petition, or Desire▪ that your Light may incline you this way; Somewhat of this seems to have been in that Desire, or Petition which Abraham hath, Gen. 17. 18. O that Ishmael might live before thee; As suppose ye were to pray for a way of living, yet it is readily, O! that this were the way of living, calling, or station, rather then another▪ 3dly. When there are some hopes that […] may be one thing rather then another, or when providence bindeth you up more from the one then the other, •ee how ye are affected with joy or grief, if ye be much delighted, when one of the things seemeth hopeful, and much grieved, when it seemeth to be marred, and crushed, that telleth, that ye are not suitably submissive, and indifferent in the thing: As suppose a Husband, or Wife, or Child, or other near or dear Relation, who is near to death, that ye pray for, and think that ye have attained to submission in the matter; but if there be a little reviving and that doth much ickle, and lift you up: It sayeth, the submission hath not been so found and absolute: