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

First. Then▪ let it be premitted, that when we speak of this calmness of Conscience flowing from the universal honesty of a persons Life and Walk; We mean nor, 1. Such a perfection of calmness and tranquillity as may stand before Gods Judgment-seat; for though we were in case to say with the Apostle, 1 Cor. 4. 4. That we know nothing by our selves; yet are we not thereby justified, ⟨p. 303⟩but be that judgeth us is the Lord; who is greater than our Conscience, and sees many things in us, that we see not selves: Who ever therefore supposeth such a perfection, can never have calmness of Conscience while he lives in the World. 2ly. Nor is this such a calmness as prevents all challenges; a man may have challenges of Conscience and yet have a good Conscience. Neither 3ly. Is it such a calmness, as under it Believers have no ground for, nor use of Repentance and Humiliation; nay Repenis not only consistent with this calmness, but it is a notable mean of it, and a main ingredient in it; its a thing whereby in part it is both attained and entertained; The kindly Gospel-exercise of Repentance for sin will not break our peace, but very readily vacation from this exercise will do it to purpose: And therefore we would carefully distinguish betwixt Repentance, Humiliation and Self-loathing for sin, and the marring of the peace of our Conscience; Yea there may be much exercise wrestling and fighting inwardly in the Spirit of a Christian, and yet considerable calmness of Conscience in that same condition: for that which gives peace, is not so much the want of all exercise of mind, as a suitable behaviour under that exercise; As we may see in the Apostle Paul, who though he was deeply exercised, and sorely combated with the remainder of a body of Death within him, as he gives a lamenting account. Rom. 7. Yet he is the man here who hath this calmness of a good Conscience.

First. Then▪ let it be premitted, that when we speak of this calmness of Conscience flowing from the universal honesty of a persons Life and Walk; We mean nor, 1. Such a perfection of calmness and tranquillity as may stand before Gods Judgment-seat; for though we were in case to say with the Apostle,