A rrentife ofConfcience. 43 If that cannot be done, then it is lawful' to follow confci- e.4nf2v. ence notwithflanding the doubts and fcruples of it. Obferve that place well. Deut. 13. E. &c. the Lord commandeth if a Duet. r 3. falfe Prophet fhould come am one( them to draw them from r, z, 3.4 the truth, and fhould Phew a ligne or miracle to confirme his doetrine, and the figne fhould come to paffe (which might put doubts and fcruples into their confciences) nevertheleffe confcience inclining to the truth they are bound to Eland to that : for chef doubts and fcruples do not argue a want of faith, but only a weakneffe of it. I. This fheweth what need we have to labour to have our ,vre a. confciences rightly informed, It is a comfortable,thing for a Chriaian to have his confcience fo fully illightned as that he can without doubting,or fcruple difcharge the duties both of his general and particular calling : And it is a great difturbance to a Chriftians mind , when his confcience is fo weak and igno- rant that he cannot perform his duties without doubts and fcru- ples whether he is right or no,efpecially in matters of greateft moment. It is a great mifery to have our confciences blind, which fhould be our guides, and which it is a fume to difobey. This is the reafon why S. 'Paul Both fo often fpeak, I would not have goo ignorant, i Cor. to. r. & 11.3. It is a very great mife- ry that ones confcience fhould be ignorant what to do, what to hold, what to follow : I fay, it is a lamentable mifery, that many who have followed the directions of confcience, should by it be led to death and damnation, to do things contrary to Gods word. What a mifery was it for the Jewes to have zeal and not according to knowledge ? &c. II This fhould teach us toufe the means truly to inform con- ví 2. fcience. Without knowledge the heart is not good ; that is, it is Prov 22 g moll profane. There be three means to get knowledge. r . Let means ro us pray unto God that he would open our underllandtngs that get know. as he bath given us confciences to guide us,fo alto he wouldgive ledge. our guides eyes that they may be able to dire& us a right. The r truth is, it is God only that can foundly illighten our confcien- ces: and therefore let us pray unto him to do it. All oi l sdy- G 2 ing,
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