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

And because this hath so very much influence on a Christian walk, we shall speak a word further to what flows from the Doctrine proposed the other day, and it shall be for an Use of Reproof, and Expostulation, (which we named, as the 4th Use of it) to and with Christians that profess to have a tender walk, and yet much slight this duty, which is a main part of it, and singularly helpful to the whole of it: for if the search of our way, and the trying of it by Conscience be a main piece and part of a tender Christian walk, •o that they who are much in the one, have also much of the other; and none have been of a tender Conscience and walk, but they have been tender in this part of it, to have Conscience its sense and Testimony of their by-past walk; then there is ground of Reproof to, and Expostulation with these, who either neglect or slight it; and this is it that we would now speak to▪ even to reprove and expostular, with many profest Christians, who would be loath to be accounted gross and untender in their walk, who yet neglect this so main a piece of a Christianly tender walk: and before we fall on particulars, we would speak a little to •ome evidence• for making it out, what just ground there is, to reprove and expostulate on this account, even for the neglect of so clear and profitable a duty; And, 1. May we not in the general charge most for an utter neglect of this, and all, for much overlinesse in it? ask your own Consciences, if ye were called to an account before God; how ye would answer, as to this particular; durst ye say, that ye have made Conscience seriously, and suitably to reflect upon your case▪ and way? and that ye have been tenderly concerned to find out what was right, and what was wrong in it, and to have Conscience its approbatory, or condemnatory sense, and sentence thereof, & to be affected answerably, as you found matters betwixt God and you? We are sure there is none ⟨p. 221⟩of us, though we can say we have been going about other duties of Religion, such as Prayer, Reading, and hearing of the Word, &c. But we have reason to charge our selves with much guilt, as to our little serious going about this particular duty, to be dumb and silent, and to go with a stopped mouth before God, is there any that can say, I have been clean in this matter? A 2d.