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

4ly. We may look upon it, In respect of its being a nursery of all sorts of evils; it harbours end entertains Lusts; it hardens the heart, strengthens security; it cherisheth hypocrisy; It brings on formality, and impenitency; It (as it were) locks up in presumption, and carnal confidence; It wears men out from under the awe of God, and from under all due respect to Conscience: The man that makes Conscience of Self-examination, will be afraid of a challenge; but he that uses not, and cares not, to examine himself, pulls (as it were) the bridle out of his own head, runs at random, gives himself up, and lays himself open to every sin and temptation, without fear of challenges: And if ye will look well about you, and observe narrowly; will ye not find, that the man that rusheth impetuously into a course of sin, as the horse rusheth into the B•ttel, is very readily he, that quite neglects and despiseth this duty of examination of his way, by his Conscience, or before the Tribunal thereof? And when I pray, are persons most tender, or untender? Is it not when they are most impartial, or most partial in this work of setting themselves down to take a serious review of their case and way, and •illing themselves before their Conscience, to review the sentence thereof?

4ly. We may look upon it, In respect of its being a nursery of all sorts of evils; it harbours end entertains Lusts; it hardens the heart, strengthens security; it cherisheth hypocrisie; It brings on formality, and impenitency; It (as it were) locks up in presumption, and carnal confidence; It wears men out from under the aw of God, and from under all due respect to Conscience: The man that makes Conscience of Self-examination, will be afraid of a challenge; but he that uses not, and cares not, to examine himself, pulls (as it were) the bridle out of his own head, runs at random, gives himself up, and layes himself open to every sin and temptation, without fear of challenges: And if ye will look well about you, and observe narrowly; will ye not find, that the man that rusheth impetuously into a course of sin, as the horse rusheth into the B•ttel, is very readily he, that quite neglects and despiseth this duty of examination of his way, by his Conscience, or before the Tribunal thereof? And when I pray, are persons most tender, or untender? Is it not when they are most impartial, or most partial in this work of setting themselves down to take a serious review of their case and way, and •illing themselves before their Conscience, to review the sentence thereof?