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

First then Observe, That when Conscience is well pleased with a mans way, it will give a Testimony for him; or when Conscience hath put a mans way to proof, it will not only, in the general speak its sense, but when his way is well ordered, and squared according to the Rule, and he in his design is found straight, and to have taken his aim right, Conscience will, after Examination, excuse, and bear him witness to his joy: Thus is Paul dealt with here by his Conscience, This is our rejoicing (saith he) the testimony of our conscience; Which is not simply Conscience speaking, but Conscience speaking for vindicating him from these aspersions that were cast upon him, or excusing him (as the word is, Rom. 2. 15.) And testifying that he was not the man that some men counted him to be; He had this Testimony, That in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom▪ but by the grace of God he had his conversation in the world▪ and more abundantly toward them in Corinth; Which ⟨p. 236⟩after search he found to be so: That which we spoke of the nature of Conscience makes this out; for Conscience, when right, speaks of things as they indeed are, and holds forth the mind of God, and gives sentence according to it; when he is well pleased, to declare and pronounce pardon and peace; and when he is displeased▪ to declare anger, and (as it were) to denounce War.

First then Observe, That when Conscience is well pleased with a mans way, it will give a Testimony for him; or when Conscience hath put a mans way to proof, it will not only, in the general speak its sense, but when his way is well ordered, and squared according to the Rule, and he in his design is found straight, and to have taken his aim right, Conscience will, after Examination, excuse, and bear him witnes to his joy: Thus is Paul dealt with here by his Conscience, This is our rejoycing (saith he) the testimony of our conscience; Which is not simply Conscience speaking, but Conscience speaking for vindicating him from these aspersions that were cast upon him, or excusing him (as the word is, Rom. 2. 15.) And testifying that he was not the man that some men counted him to be; He had this Testimony, That in simplicity, and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God he had his conversation in the world and more abundantly toward them in Corinth; Which