d ermon ... cd, yea, garrifoned (as the word is) with peace, that there is no itorming nor intaking of it by outward trou- bles : It is the joy that ftrangers intermeddle not with. 5thly, It is a fweet and ftrong cordial in affli&ion, when Chri -. flians are perfecuted by ftrangers, or by falfe brethren, are in ficknefs, in prifon, in perils by fea or land, &c. This is our rejoycing, the te/limony of our Confcience, faith the apoftle, z Cor. i . i z. in the midit of of i &ions. 6thly, and more particularly, It is a fweet and fovereign cordial when death approacheth ; Hezekiab can fay then, Remember, Lord, bow I have walked before thee in truth, and with a pert r if heart. It putteth the foul in a pollure of dying, fomcwhat like old Simeon,and giveth forne ground to fay with him,Now letteff thou thy fervant depart in peace, far mine eyes have feet; thy falvation. The neceffity of it will yet further appear, if, on the other fide, we look to the difadvantages that wait the want of it : Tho' men could be content to live a heartlefs life, to hazard on fin, to negle& prayer, and other duties; yet they would con - rider the terror that followeth an evil Confcience, and how it breedeth and breweth a hell within their own bofom. There is then a neceffity, an abfolute neceffity of a good Confcience, that quarrels be not, and abide not, betwixt God and us for ever. ;dly, For some helps or direc9ions to keep a good Con - Icience (and we with we were all in a poflure and frame of foul to meet with, to receive, and make fuitable ufe of them) i, Endeavour to have light and clearnefs in the matters of God, and what concerneth your own good ; Let every one be fully perfwaded in bit own mind, as it is, Rom. 14. 5. Ir is not poffible, that ye, who are grofly or very ignorant, can keep a good Confci- ence ; ye know not when ye fin, nor when ye do du- ty aright ; yea, although ye may do duties, or things good on the matter, the want of knowledge maketh you want the teftimony of that good. Alas that many wife and rich men, that can (peak well of the things of this world, fhould be quite ignorant of the things of God and many of you would think fhame of ir, if we would point you out. idly, Advert and take heed to what Con - fctence £`tith ; The truth is, molt men take heed to what
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