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

The Doctrine that we proposed last, was for directing us how to keep a just mids betwixt those two extremes; and its this, That where there is a sincere willingness to be universally honest in the whole of our Conversation, It hath great influence on the peace of our Conscience, Is a notable evidence of a good Conscience, and a choice companion that waits continually on it: Paul here asserts ⟨p. 302⟩his tranquillity of Conscience on this ground; and withal explains and qualifies the same, by telling us that in all things he had a willingness to live honestly: Now because this Doctrine is of great concernment to Believers in Christ, as to their solid peace and comfort; and deals with several sorts of men; some of whom, as Antinomians rejecting any such evidence, and disputing against the possibility of universal sincerity; so that according to them there can be no solid conclusion drawn hence for the comfort of Believers: Others, such as Hypocrites, snatching at this consolation, when they have no honesty in their walk; and a third sort (better disposed) who from seen defects and failings in their walk, refusing all the consolations that flow from this ground; say on the matter to the weakening of their own hands, and to the fainting and discouraging of their own hearts, that they have nothing of this honesty, nothing of this willingness to live honest by; We insisted the more on the clearing of these three in the Doctrine: 1. What is meant by an honest Walk. 2. What is meant by universal sincerity, or honesty in our Walk. 3. What is meant by this willingness to live honestly, which is the base on which the testimony of a good Conscience doth mainly lean, and the very hinge on which it is mainly turned, as being the greatest evidence of sincerity: We shall yet premit some things further for clearing of the Doctrine, and then we shall confirm it, which is in substance, and in short this, That a man who hath an universal willingness to live honestly, may have Calmness and tranquillity of Conscience, though there be many things in his life, for which he may very justly censure himself.

The Doctrine that we proposed last, was for directing us how to keep a just mids betwixt those two extreams; and its this, That where there is a sincere willingness to be universally honest in the whole of our Conversation, It hath great influence on the peace of our Conscience, Is a notable evidence of a good Conscience, and a choice companion that waits continually on it: Paul here asserts ⟨p. 302⟩