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

Both of them offered things that were good, and yet the ones Sacrifice was accepted, and the others rejected; That which made the difference was, that Abel, in his Offering, exercised Faith on Christs Sacrifice, he offered it not as a Satisfaction in it self to God, but with respect to Jesus Christ typified by it, which the other did not; and proportionally there is somewhat required of all these, and more especially of this last in all Actions, to make them truly Religious, and Christian Actions.

Now, For the 2d. Particular, viz. That in all these things, that make an Action to be truly Religious, Conscience hath somewhat to say, and hath an interest, and concern, to testify for, or against the man; I shall instance this in Six •orts of Actions, to which all a mans Actions (I mean that are properly human Actions, or rationally deliberate Actions) may be reduced, as to so many general heads. The First sort is, natural Actions, as Eating, Drinking, Sleeping, &c. In which (what ever many think to the contrary) Conscience hath an interest, because they require the proposing of Gods Glory as their end; and he hath prescribed a way how to go about them aright. The 2d. Sort, Is Civil Actions, as mens being exercised in this or that lawful Employment, Trade, Calling, or Occupation; and here Conscience hath an interest; for it is said, that the ploughing of the ⟨p. 162⟩wicked is sin; Which, when gone about, after the right manner by the Believer, is service to God, as well as his praying. The 3d. Sort is Moral Actions, such as are done from a principle of moral honesty; As for instance, when a man barg•neth, and maketh a promise, anen• such and such things to be performed by him; to keep his word, which is morally good, yet is it not truly, Religiously and Christianly good, except it be done in obedience to the command of God, and with respect to his honour; And here also Conscience hath interest; for as a man cometh short of these things requisite, for making it a truly Religious, or Christian Action, it will challenge and accue in so far, and when they are present, it will excuse, and commend him. The 4th. Sort is, External Duties of Religion; What is it, I pray, that makes the difference betwixt Formal and Hypocritical Service, and Worship and that which is accepted as service to God? Is it not, that one person performs such Duties conscionably and Christianly according to the Rules prescribed anent the right performing of them, and another not? The 5th. Sort is, Inward Duties (or Graces) such as Repentance, Faith, Love Hope, &c. Of all which there are Counterfeits, some things very like them, which yet are not indeed these: Conscience hath here likewise a concern, and makes a difference; As suppose two men are forty for Sin, and we ma suppose them to be someway alike, or equally sorrowful;