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

20. We may, from the unstraightnesse of the end, to which; from the unsoundness of the principle, from which; from the unsuitableness of the motive by which, duties are done▪ and several otherwayes, prejudge our selves of the approving Testimony of our Conscience; which we would carefully advert to, that we divide not betwixt a good Conscience, and a good Turn, Action, or Duty.

20. We may, from the unstraightnesse of the end, to which; from the unsoundnesse of the principle, from which; from the unsuitablenesse of the motive by which, duties are done▪ and several otherwayes, prejudge our selves of the approving Testimony of our Conscience; which we would carefully advert to, that we divide not betwixt a good Conscience, and a good Turn, Action, or Duty.

But it may be Asked here, What is the reason that it is so difficult to keep a good Conscience, and to carry it along with us, in the very interim, mean time, and nick of performing the Action, above, and beyond what it is, either to deliberate and advise with it before we do, or to reflect after we have done?

But it may be Asked here, What is the reason that it is so difficult to keep a good Conscience, and to carry it along with us, in the very interim, mean time, and nick of performing the Action, above, and beyond what it is, either to deliberat and advise with it before we do, or to reflect after we have done?

I Answer, And give these Two or Three Reasons of it; The First whereof, is drawn from the necessary concurrence of so many things that must go together, in the performance of an Action; Which makes it easier to resolve before doing, or to reflect after doing, then to perform. The 2d. is, Because there is such a ticklenesse in the frame of our hearts, that they are unstable as water, stable in nothing: There are Three distempers of heart that we are subject to, which all hold forth this difficulty, 1. A declining humour (to say so) or distemper, whereby we are given to backslide, or turn aside like a deceitful bow, that keeps bensel while the arrow is a drawing, and when it is at, or in the very letting off, starteth aside. 2ly. A levity, and unsettledness, even such that the weather cock is not sooner, and more easily whirled about, by the least wind, then we are by the least breathing of the air of Tentation; So that were we just now in a good and suitable frame for Duty, ere we be aware, we fall off; and a good Conscience requireth a composedness and staidness of Frame. 3ly. A rashness, and hastiness, or precipitance, which makes us, that so soon as we are clear in the thing, to rush forward, and to think all is done that is requisite; so that we wait not to carry Conscience along with us, in our performances; which rash precipitant, and hasty humour, or distemper maketh us often miscarry; As David says of himself,