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

The Third General Direction is, That however things be, persons that are in the dark, and yet would be clear of Gods mind about such and such a Duty, would be looking well about them, that they may see, if there be yet any present thing called for from them, if there be any thing left undone which they may do, and which they ⟨p. 139⟩should do, for finding out Gods mind; and they would go throw Gods appointed means, and throw them again: There are Three or Four particular Directions in this General one, First, Such as would be at the knowledge of Gods mind, would betake themselves to him, and stir up them•eves to be at more immediate nearness to him; That when the Conscience speaks not to them, they may go to the Lord himself, to get some word of answer from him, as Habakkuk did, Chup. 2. v. 1. While he says I will get me to my watch tower, &c. The Prophet had his own darkness there, and was in some little dump, the vision did not speak for the time, what course takes he in this case? He resolves to act the part of a watchman, who goes up some steps higher, and yet again some steps higher, even till he come to the top of the watchtower, that he may thence see the more clearly; even so the nearer that any be to God, they are in the greater capacity to take up the mind of Conscience: for then there is both the greater awe on the Conscience to make it speak, and the greater clearness in us to help us to take it up: And when we win• not to clearness in the utter room (to say so) of Conscience, We would go in to the Holy-place, and if we win not to clearness there neither, we would go in to the most Holy-place, till we come even to the Mercy-seat it self; Where God useth not to fail to give his answer: For there is one thing that doth Christians much wrong, which is, That when they cannot win to take up Gods mind so soon as they would, they pray more faintly, and are discouraged to approach the nearer to God; whereas they should do the just contrary, after Jobs example, who says, in his dark condition, Chap. 23. v. 2. O that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat: The Second Direction in reference to this is, That persons would observe well, what measure, or degree of Light God gives them; and would welcome it thankfully, and carefully make use of it, though they come not to clearness in the whole case together, and at once;

The Third General Direction is, That however things be, persons that are in the dark, and yet would be clear of Gods mind about such and such a Duty, would be looking well about them, that they may see, if there be yet any present thing called for from them, if there be any thing left undone which they may do, and which they