Precious faith considered in its nature, working, and growth

are there no fits of spiritual drowsiness, which need fresh alarums? are there no dregs of corruption, which want a new purgation? are there no spots of error, which ought to be wiped out? he that presumes a freedom from these, hath great reason to doubt whether there be any such thing as conversion found in him; and he that confesses them, hath as great reason to run to the Scripture to have them rectified: ⟨p. 69⟩But because the Quaker dreams of perfection, I will go higher. Suppose a man absolutely perfect, every wheel in his soul in right motion, and his conscience a pure Chrystal without any flaw in it, yet must the man be under God, and his conscience under the word; for his very perfection stands in that subjection, and is forfeited as soon as it departs from it. Conscience is a rule, but a subordinate one, it binds and looses, but in the power and authority of the word; take away that, and conscience is no more conscience, the inward Ecclesiastes is silenced, and hath nothing to say. My conscience beareth witness in the holy Ghost, saith the Apostle, Rom. 9.1. Observe, it beareth witness in the holy Ghost; Spiritu Sancto duce ac moderator, saith Beza on the place. Conscience is no supreme thing, the holy Spirit must command and moderate in it, if not in an immediate way, as in Prophets and Apostles, yet in and by the sacred Scriptures as in ordinary Christians. To conclude with that of an ancient, Scripturis non loquentibus, quis loquetur? the Scripture being silent, none can speak, no not conscience it self in a regular way; wherefore our supreme rule must be sought no where else but there.

are there no fits of spiritual drowsiness, which need fresh alarums? are there no dregs of corruption, which want a new purgation? are there no spots of error, which ought to be wiped out? he that presumes a freedom from these, hath great reason to doubt whether there be any such thing as conversion found in him; and he that confesses them, hath as great reason to run to the Scripture to have them rectified: ⟨p. 69⟩But because the Quaker dreams of perfection, I will go higher. Suppose a man absolutely perfect, every wheel in his soul in right motion, and his conscience a pure Chrystal without any flaw in it, yet must the man be under God, and his conscience under the word; for his very perfection stands in that subjection, and is forfeited as soon as it departs from it. Conscience is a rule, but a subordinate one, it binds and looses, but in the power and authority of the word; take away that, and conscience is no more conscience, the inward Eccleiastes is silenced, and hath nothing to say. My conscience beareth witness in the holy Ghost, saith the Apostle,