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

otherwayes it will not be an honest aim, or a good end proposed to our selves, in the doing of such or such a thing; or because we are in a pardoned state, that will be sufficient to make the Action truly good and acceptable, and to give us ground of peace. 3ly. Ye would advert, and take good heed, if Conscience challengeth equally, for one sin as well as for another, and for the neglect of one Duty, as well as for the neglect of another; and if, as the sin is comparatively greater, or lesser, so its challenges be lesser or greater; for, if Conscience its challenge lead you to the Word; the more weight that the Word layeth on sin, the more weight will Conscience lay upon it, when it is right: Sometimes persons will be challenged for some things much extrinsic to Religion, or for omitting this or that wherein very little, if any thing of Religion consists, or at least lieth very remo•e; who yet will not be much troubled, for taking of Gods name in vain, or for neglect of Prayer, and the like: I remember the saying of a godly man, to a Person under exercise for a little sin, little in comparison of others (for no sin is little in its own nature▪) That he thought the hand, or work of the Devil […] be in it, to lay a ground for Spiritual Pride, because the person was so much troubled with so •ittle a thing; or to divert from taking a view of grosser ⟨p. 215⟩sins, for their deeper humiliation: when Conscience is right, it challengeth equally, and more or less, as the sin is more or less aggravated; It is an evil in this time, that extrinsic, and remo•e things trouble some so much, while in the mean time known sins, and duties are but little minded, and laid to heart; as i• forsooth the Consciences of such were more delicate and tender, then the Consciences of the Saints of old; Nay there are not a few, who will disdain to be challenged for neglect of uncontroverted duties, who yet make a great deal o• business, and noise about these things, that are but of little moment, as if the whole, and sum o• Religion lay in them: This certainly shows a great deal of untenderness, and slighting of Conscience, what ever pretensions may be made to the contrary;