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

4ly. Considering these words as spoken by Paul, who takes much pains to prove and clear his condition, and speaks of this Testimony, as of a great matter he had attained to, Observe, That it is not easy, but very difficult, even for a man that hath taken pains in searching himself, to obtain the Testimony of his Conscience for him in a particular; Its not so small a matter, nor so easy a business as many suppose it to be; its not only a great and difficult business to follow the search rightly; but it is so likewise to find things right, and to win at the Testimony of Conscience, as to this, and that, and the other particular: If it were not a great and difficult business, Paul would not lay such weight on it, as he doth. Now when I say its a great and difficult business, I mean, •. That it is a rare thing, and such as every one doth not attain to; nay every Believer hath it not, as to every part and piece of his carriage. 2ly. That it calls for much tenderness and sincerity, in the whole of a mans practice, to reach it; It will not be a coarse, and ordinary walk and frame of heart, that will give a man ground for this refreshing Testimony of his Conscience, but it requires much seriousness and sincerity in the exercise of godliness, as is clear here▪ 3ly. That beside much seriousness and sincerity, in the universal exercise of godliness, and much circumspection in the mans personal walk and conversation, much diligence is called for, in searching to find out, and to come by this Testimony of his Conscience; for a man may have matter, and ground for Conscience its Testimony, and yet through the neglect of suitable, serious and narrow Self-examination, he may be at a great loss, as to its joyful Testimony for him; even as one may be guilty of many sins, and yet be but very little, or not at all challenged for them, through the neglect of Self-examination. 4ly. That it requires much singleness in trying of Consciences Testimony, whether it be well grounded or not; for a man that hath his peace and joy to build on this ⟨p. 245⟩Testimony, must not take every show and appearance of such a Testimony, for the ground of his peace and joy, but Conscience would be put to speak distinctly, and on good ground for it, that▪ in this, and that, and the other thing, there was some sincerity;

4ly. Considering these words as spoken by Paul, who takes much pains to prove and clear his condition, and speaks of this Testimony, as of a great matter he had attained to, Observe, That it is not easie, but very difficult, even for a man that hath taken pains in searching himself, to obtain the Testimony of his Conscience for him in a particular; Its not so smal a matter, nor so easie a businesse as many suppose it to be; its not only a great and difficult businesse to follow the search rightly; but it is so likewayes to find things right, and to win at the Testimony of Conscience, as to this, and that, and the other particular: If it were not a great and difficult busines, Paul would not lay such weight on it, as he doth. Now when I say its a great and difficult busines, I mean, . That it is a rare thing, and such as every one doth not attain to; nay every Believer hath it not, as to every part and piece of his carriage. 2ly. That it calls for much tenderness and sincerity, in the whole of a mans practice, to reach it; It will not be a coarse, and ordinary walk and frame of heart, that will give a man ground for this refreshing Testimony of his Conscience, but it requires much seriousness and sincerity in the exercise of godlinesse, as is clear here 3ly. That beside much seriousnesse and sincerity, in the universal exercise of godliness, and much circumspection in the mans personal walk and conversation, much diligence is called for, in searching to find out, and to come by this Testimony of his Conscience; for a man may have matter, and ground for Conscience its Testimony, and yet through the neglect of suitable, serious and narrow Selfexamination, he may be at a great loss, as to its joyful Testimony for him; even as one may be guilty of many sins, and yet be but very little, or not at all challenged for them, through the neglect of Self-examination. 4ly. That it requires much singleness in trying of Consciences Testimony, whether it be well grounded or not; for a man that hath his peace and joy to build on this