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

First, Then, We conceive, when the silence of Conscience, and Gods refusing to intimate his mind by it, proceeds from a sinful cause procuring it, in a Person, it will readily look more horrible like; and will have some impression of anger on it, when it comes out with such a word, as that, […] 10. 14. Go and cry unto the ⟨p. 134⟩gods which ye have chosen, &c. And there is good reason for this; that if it be an effect of sin, or of anger for sin, it should look liker anger, then when it is an effect of Gods mere Sovereignty, which may stand well with his being in good terms with that person whom he so tries. Secondly. We think the hiding of Gods face, and silence of Conscience, when it proceeds from sin as the Cause, readily point out some particular ground of challenge for which the Conscience keeps silence, it hath a word of reproof with it, for some particular fault, as in that same place, ye have done this, and this sayeth the Lord; Though I have brought you out of the land of Egypt, yet ye have served other gods, therefore now I will deliver you no more; Conscience though it will not, in that case give an answer to the thing that is asked at it, yet it will give a reason, wherefore it answers not, and will point at somewhat, that may make it known, that there is just ground for it's keeping silence: Job being thus smitten in holy Sovereignty, Says to God, Chap. 10. 2: Tell me wherefore thou contends with me; He is indeed now somewhat jumbled, being exercised by the Sovereign Holy Lord; and his exercise is not so much, for this and that sin, in particular, as to know wherefore God deals so with him. 3dly. When this silence of Conscience proceeds from a sinful cause, it leaves the Spirit of the Person in a far greater distemper, and confusion, then when it proceeds merely from Gods Sovereignty; For this having it's rise from Sin, it hath the greater influence to the stirring of corruption; Therefore in such a case as this, men are much disposed to fret, as ye may see in Saul. and others, who were ready. when God answered them not, to take another, and sinful way of their own; But when God exercises in Sovereignty, as the Conscience hath readily more quietness, so there is more sweet Submission and Patience. 4ly.

First, Then, We conceive, when the silence of Conscience, and Gods refusing to intimate his mind by it, proceeds from a sinful cause procuring it, in a Person, it will readily look more horrible like; and will have some impression of anger on it, when it comes out with such a word, as that, 10. 14. Go and cry unto the