Two sermons preached at Thurlow in Suffolk on those words, Rom. 6.13 "Yield your…

1. With what God doth inwardly teach you, by that common light which shines in every man's own bosom, that ⟨p. 27⟩with a sincere mind, attends to it, and which is too little attended to. There are Truths too commonly held in unrighteousness, seated generally in the Minds and Consciences of men; by which, tho' they have not another Law,¹ they are a Law to themselves; and for the stifling and resisting whereof, the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against them. And from such Truths they might infer others, and where God affords external helps, come to discern a sure ground whereupon to understand that what is contained besides in the frame of Christian Doctrine is true; being enabled to judge of the evidences that prove the whole Revelation thereof to be from God; and nothing being in it self more evident than that what he hath revealed is true. And withal God is graciously pleased to shine into Minds that with upright aims set themselves to enquire out and understand his Mind; and so farther light comes to be superadded to that which is common. Now take heed how you neglect what a man teaches you, agreeably to that inward light which is already (one way or other) in your own Minds and Consciences. ⟨p. 28⟩Hither in some part, and in great part we are to appeal in our Teaching you: So the more early Christian Teachers did;² Not handling (say they) the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the Truth commending our selves to every man's Conscience in the sight of God. In the most deeply fundamental things that concern your practice every day, we may appeal to your selves, and your own Consciences. If we say to you, Ought you not to live according to his Will that gave you breath? Should you not above all things fear and love, and trust and obey him that made you and all things? Should you not do as you would be done unto? Should you not take more care for your immortal Souls, than for your mortal flesh? You must every one say, I believe in mine own Conscience this is so. If I appeal to you in the very thing I am speaking of, should you not yield your selves to God whose Creatures you are? I doubt not you will any of you say, I think in my very Conscience I should. We have you witnesses against your selves, if you will not hear us in such things.