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

But it may be asked, what is it that founds this persuasion, and makes it firm and solid? Answer, The latter part of the text will give ground to speak to it more fully; but for the time, and in the general, we say that these three do •ound it, ere ever a man can be thus persuaded that he hath a good Conscience; he must needs take a serious look, and view of his by-gone way, of his present frame, and of his purpose, and resolution for the future, that he may see that all these be in some measure right. 1. Then, for his by-past way, It supposeth that he hath singly endeavoured to have it tender, and conform to the rule, even that he hath been exercised to have a Conscience void of offence, and that he hath reflected, and searched, and found it in some measure to be so; the one of these lays the ground for the Testimony of a good Conscience, and the other draws forth the comfortable evidence of it. 2. As to the persons present frame, there must be Spirituality, Singleness, and some measure of Tenderness; otherwayes it will much obstruct this persuading testimony; for its not enough, that a man has been tender, if he be not in some measure so now; Paul says here, We have (not only we had) a good conscience. 3ly. There must be some deliberateness, and determinateness of his purpose, and resolution to walk with God for the time to come; for if a man do not dedicate and devote himself to the study of holiness for the future, though he be supposed to have had never so much of it in his by-gone life, this firm, and comfortable persuasion will be much marred and obstructed: So then these three must here go together, viz. Holiness in a mans by-past life; holiness in his present frame, and holiness in his purpose for the future: ⟨p. 284⟩We will find them all conjoined in the experience of this same Apostle, Philp. 3. where, when he has spoken of his by-gone carriage, how he had counted these things to be loss for Christ, which he sometimes accounted to be gain; and how he had suffered the loss of all things for Christ; Yet he thinks not this enough, but adds as to his present frame, Yea doubtless I count all things to be but loss, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; And v. 12. Not as if I had already attained, or were already perfect: And v. 13▪ One thing I do, forgetting these things that are behind, &c.

But it may be asked, what is it that founds this perswasion, and makes it firm and solid? Answer, The latter part of the text will give ground to speak to it more fully; but for the time, and in the general, we say that these three do ound it, ere ever a man can be thus perswaded that he hath a good Conscience; he must needs take a serious look, and view of his by-gone way, of his present frame, and of his purpose, and resolution for the future, that he may see that all these be in some measure right. 1. Then, for his by-past way, It supposeth that he hath singly indeavoured to have it tender, and conform to the rule, even that he hath been exercised to have a Conscience void of offence, and that he hath reflected, and searched, and found it in some measure to be so; the one of these layes the ground for the Testimony of a good Conscience, and the other draws forth the comfortable evidence of it. 2. As to the persons present frame, there must be Spirituality, Singleness, and some measure of Tenderness; otherwayes it will much obstruct this perswading testimony; for its not enough, that a man has been tender, if he be not in some measure so now; Paul sayes here, We have (not only we had) a good conscience. 3ly. There must be some deliberatness, and determinatness of his purpose, and resolution to walk with God for the time to come; for if a man do not dedicat and devot himself to the study of holiness for the future, though he be supposed to have had never so much of it in his by-gone life, this firm, and comfortable perswasion will be much marred and obstructed: So then these three must here go together, viz. Holines in a mans by-past life; holines in his present frame, and holines in his purpose for the future: