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

We spoke before to you of the great refreshing, and joy which the well▪grounded Testimony of a good Conscience yieldeth, and of the great difficulty that there is to attain, and come by it, as being the result of much diligence, labour, and pains in solid answering of many questions.

We spoke before to you of the great refreshing, and joy which the well▪grounded Testimony of a good Conscience yeeldeth, and of the great difficulty that there is to attain, and come by it, as being the result of much diligence, labour, and pains in solid answering of many questions.

Before we proceed any further, there may arise here a Doubt or Objection, which would be cleared, and answered, viz. If a particular search, and examination, as to every action and duty be necessary, yea, if it be possible, ere the Conscience can give a good Testimony? and if so, how a person can possibly have peace, in reference to his bygone way, when, in seeking to review it, and to reflect upon it, he finds it impossible to examine every action, and the circumstances of it? We conceive it to be necessary, to answer this Doubt, or Objection, though we confess, it is very difficult to do it, to full satisfaction, there being especially, extremes upon both sides, some being ready to take an undue liberty, and latitude to themselves, on the one hand, when any allowed qualifications are offered; and others being in hazard to faint, and be discouraged on the other hand, if the matter be kept in a peremptory state, without due qualifications and cautions; And yet we are sure, that the right preaching of the Gospel (if we could win at it) will neither louse reins to lawless and sinful liberty to carnal persons; nor make sad the hearts of these that ate gracious and tender, nor put them on the rack, nor involve them into a labyrinth of inextricable intricacies, and perplexities. For answer then to the Doubt or Objection, 1. It is indeed expedient, so far as a Believer can win in self-examination, to reach his particular actions, and the particular steps, and circumstances of them, wherein Job, and others of the Saints, have win a great length, and the expediency, if not necessity of it, appears from this, because, by this means, Believers win to more distinctness, and staidness in up-taking of their case. 2ly. We think that the distinct examination of all particulars in a mans life, and of the several questions that Conscience may propose concerning them, is not possible in it self; and therefore not simply necessary as to the making of this duty practicable; for if we could possibly (as we cannot) go through all our Actions, and all the circumstances of