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

The Use is, For exhortation to watchful advertance in every thing to Conscience it's Testimony: Seeing there are many that do good on the matter, who yet want it's Testimony, it becomes us to be the more watchful to keep a good Conscience; and seeing that Conscience it's speaking for a man, and giving him it's approbative Testimony, and his doing that which is good, on the matter, are not only separable, but are often actually separated, the one from the other▪ not only in natural, but even in regenerate men▪ as frequent experience puts beyond debate; We had need (I say) to be the more watchful, both as to the matter, and manner of our doing, least we be at a lose of the Testimony of Conscience for us: And none would think it to be as ⟨p. 175⟩easy a business to keep a good Conscience, as to the manner of performing of Duty, as it is to do so, •s to the matter of it. How many come to the Church, but without due preparation, and without having a heart ready to hear, what God will say to them, and meddle with with other Duties, without regarding the due manner of performing them? We •ight instance it in all these Six Sorts of Actions, we spoke of the other day, in all which there is a propenseness i• us naturally, to degenerate, and go beside the Rule; As namely, 1. In natural Actions of Eating and Drinking, or of loving Husband, or Wife, or Children, men may be very carnal, degenerate, and become like very Beasts. 2. In civil Actions▪ as Buying and Bargaining, wherein men ma• turn basely covetous, selfie, and seeking their own things, and not the honour of God, no• the good and advantage of others. 3ly. In Moral Actions, as speaking truth, dealing fairly and honestly; wherein men may turn legal, proud and vain, and seek to establish a self-righteousness thereby to themselves. 4. In external Religious Actions, as hearing the Word, Praying, &c. Wherein men may turn hypocritical, and formal, having a show without substance, and a form of godliness without the power of it. 5. In inward Duties, as repentance, contentment, &c. Wherein men may turn worldly, and carnal, therefore a worldly repentance from fear of punishment, or of shame in the World, or worldly sorrow that causeth death, is spoken of,