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

More particularly, we shall speak to that which we mainly aim at, in these Four or Five Observations; Consider then first, What Paul is about here, he is asserting a truth, viz. That he was in great beavines for his brethren, and kinsmen according to the flesh▪ And he attests his Conscience that it was so, and that he was honest, and sincere in asserting it; Whence Observe, That there is no action of a mans Life, but Conscience hath a concern in it, and hath something to say to him concerning it; if it ⟨p. 156⟩were but the speaking of a word, let be the doing of any business, Conscience hath always something to say for him, or against him; So that we may confidently say, there is no action of so little moment, in thought, word or deed; as, whither a man be called to do, or forbear, to speak, or to be silent, but in all these, Conscience hath a sense and consideration of it, and a Testimony to give for, or against the man about it. I am not now speaking of things sinful, or unlawful on the matter, but of such things as on the matter are lawful; As when a man speaketh truth; whither he speaketh it truly, and with an honest intention or not, Therefore when Paul is speaking a truth here, he looks to his Conscience, and hearkens what it sayeth: Put these Four together, and ye will find it clear, that a sanctified Conscience, in a sanctified and good Frame, will always have something to say, for, or against a man, in every thing that he goes about; I say, a sanctified Conscience, in a sanctified Frame, because that is the Conscience we are speaking of, and the Conscience that most completely dischargeth it's duty. 1 If we consider this, That there is no humane action, but God hath given man a Rule, directing how it shall be ordered, how he shall eat, and how he shall drink, how he shall plough, pray, hear, read, confer, how he shall walk in Company, and out of Company, how he shall go about the Duties of his Calling; and it prescribes the manner of doing these things, as well as the matter; Therefore, 1 Tim. 3. 16, 1•. It's said, All Scripture is given by divine inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, and for correction, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto every good work: It furnishes him with light and direction▪ not only in the matter (as said) but in the manner of doing. 2.