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

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, Psal. 116▪ I said in my haste that all men are liars▪ and I said in my haste, that I am cut off from thy presence, Psal. 31. So Believers often mar the composedness of their own frame▪ by their h•steing▪ and not taking heed to what Conscience sayeth, while they are in performing Duty; Thus many post, as it were, through ⟨p. 177⟩their Prayers, speaking of many good things in them from light; but not endeavouring to carry Conscience its testimony along with them of their sincerity, they spoil and mar that which was well intended and begun by them. A 4th. ground, reason, or cause of this is, the great difficulty that there is to maintain and keep up a right frame of heart for any considerable time; and a man will never keep a good Conscience along particular duties, if he maintain not a right frame of heart;