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

We need not curiously and nicely difference ⟨p. 192⟩these, for they go always together when a man is right; His examination of himself, and of his way, the examination of his way by his Conscience, and his self-judging; yet they may be some way differenced: self-examination is more large, and extensive, taking in the whole that a man is concerned in, his •ecklenesse, and his need, as well as his sinfulness; but reflecting on Conscience considereth a mans way as sinful, or not sinful only; self-examination is a gathering, as it were, of things together; but reflecting on Conscience is a laying of them to the Rule, a putting of them to the touch-stone; self-examination is the mids, Conscience-reflection is the end; And if any should offer to divide them, the gathering of things together by self-examination, will not signify much, except they be tried by Conscience; self-examination is antecedent to the Sentence of the Judge; self-judging is subsequent, as a Ratification of that which Conscience hath said, when we have examined, and found out things, and when Conscience hath on reflection agreeably to the Rule, given it's Sense and Sentence: Our judging of our selves is our homologating, or owning, applying and taking home to us the Sentence that Conscience hath past, as it were from our own mouth; somewhat like that word, Rom. 8. 16. The spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits, that we are the children of God; In our self examination, and judging we are active, but in Conscience it's passing Sentence, we are passive, as being therein […] before the Judge, and when Conscience hath said, we say: however we put them together, and have marked it for this reason; because oft-times, when we examine, and take a look of our selves, and of our way, we are disposed to think that we have done enough, and as soon as the Indictment is read, we run away from the Bar, and do not abide, and stay for Conscience it's decision, as if we knew what it will say before hand; again some-times we are disposed to Judge our selves, and to pass, or leap over both examination, and consciences Sentence; being thus ⟨p. 193⟩precipitant, and preposterous to prevent any trouble and apprehended horror that may attend the Sentence of Conscience; and are ready to say, that we know not what it will say, before it be put to the trial;