On Peter 3. it $. i39 duty. It is true, an argument from light may induce to the thing ; yet we are negle &ive, when we bring it not to the Confcience. (3.) Men fhould bring things rm partialtyto the Confcience : We should take heed that we be not pre- occupied or prejudged, left we get an an- fwer according to our idol ; as well as we fhould beware of biaffing and bribing Confcience : If the eye be Jangle, the whole body will be full if light, but, if the eye be not fingle, darknefs may be had from the Confcience inftead of light. Not that in clear things, that are duties at all times, we should be flicking and move queftions, which was Balaam's fault; but in things indifferent, or, tho' lawful, yet not called for at all times, nor from us in fuch a ftation or relation When the queftion runneth, Whether the thing be lawful to us or not ? or, If we be called to it at this time ? we fhould be fingle, and take an anfwer from Confcience as God cleareth it. (4.)We fhould give attention; lend to our ear, and take good heed what Confcience inclin- eth to, and faith, whether it inclineth this way or that way : As, when we ask a quelion at any, we ufe to be filent till they anfwer ; fo should it be here : And, if Confcience feem not to fpeak, we fhould wait on, and not he flatly ; efpecially, we should look well that we diftinguifh betwixt inclination, the alfe &ions of fears paffion, and the like, and the anfwer of Confcience, left we take the one for the other : We fhould both take heed that it be Confcience that anfwereth, and that we take up the meaning of Confcience its anfwer aright ; in order to which, there fhould be a quieting and hufhing of all things within the man, that there be nothing to difturb in taking up the mind of Confcience or that may prejudge Confcience in fpeaking, and giv- ing its anfwer; (5.) When Confcience hath fpoken, we fhould put its anfwer to proof and trial, and fee if it be the anfwer of Confcience indeed ; we should take the anfwer of Confcience to the rule of the word, and fee if it be agreeable to the fame : Even, as we fhould take our light to Confcience, that Confcience may teftify of it ; fo, when we have gotten an anfwer from Confcience, we fhculd take it back to light, and fee how it agreeth with. the.
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