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

1. Then Observe but in passing, That Conscience can signify it's mind to a man concerning his Actions, and Conversation of a long time past, so that though he hath been in such a Country among such a people, about such and such an Action many years ago, Conscience reflected upon, hath a faculty (to speak so) of signifying it's sense thereof, as of every other Action of his Life; much of Pauls time was now past, and a part of it in the Ministry at Corinth, yet looking so far back, his Conscience gives him this Testimony. Which will be further clear, if we consider, first, The experience and practice of the Saints, in attesting their Conscience, in past, and in long since past Actions; Na• we suppose there are few, or rather none at all, but their Conscience will sometimes challenge them, for a• evil Action that is by their hand, and that for a considerable time; Josephs Brethren are a famous instance of the truth of this: Now, if it can Challenge, or Accuse, it can also Excuse and Approve a man, and testify for him, when he hath done well; For excusing is as extensive in a good case, as accusing is in an evil. 2. It's clear also, from the Office of the Conscience; which (as we show) is not only to dictate, and to be an observing companion, but to be a Judge; which ⟨p. 188⟩supposeth for ordinary, the thing to be past; Therefore, 1 John 3. 22. both the condemning and absolving of the heart is spoken of; Which inferreth, that the Conscience (called there the heart) hath a way of re-cognoscing of, and passing Sentence on a mans way, and actions, not only, while they are a doing, but when past.

1. Then Observe but in passing, That Conscience can signify it's mind to a man concerning his Actions, and Conversation of a long time past, so that though he hath been in such a Countrey among such a people, about such and such an Action many years ago, Conscience reflected upon, hath a facultie (to speak so) of signifying it's sense thereof, as of every other Action of his Life; much of Pauls time was now past, and a part of it in the Ministry at Corinth, yet looking so far back, his Conscience gives him this Testimony. Which will be further clear, if we consider, first, The experience and practice of the Saints, in attesting their Conscience, in past, and in long since past Actions; Na we suppose there are few, or rather none at all, but their Conscience will sometimes challenge them, for a evil Action that is by their hand, and that for a considerable time; Iosephs Brethren are a famous instance of the truth of this: Now, if it can Challenge, or Accuse, it can also Excuse and Approve a man, and testify for him, when he hath done well; For excusing is as extensive in a good case, as accusing is in an evil. 2. It's clear also, from the Office of the Conscience; which (as we shew) is not only to dictat, and to be an observing companion, but to be a Judge; which