zo z Sermon 2. a &ual and explicite thoughts of it always along the a. }ion, we may warrantably exile& on Chrift's account God's approbation, as doing to his glory : So is it here; as when a man undertakes a journey to fuck a place, 'tis fufficient before he fet out he a &ually and explicite- ly;mind that place, and that he do fo now and then by the way, and efpecially if he obferve any turning off, or hazard of going out of the way, or if he bath not often gone that way before, rho' he have not actual thoughts of it all along every ftep of the way. But, to clear this in a word or two further, we conceive that thcfe three particularly are neceffary for keeping a good Confcíence ; i. The habituai teftimony of Confcience, that is, that a man's Confcience be always in a readinefs to give him a good teflimony ; which imports three things, (i.) That he be right in the matter of his pra &ice, that it be nothing finful that he is about. (2.) That he be right in the frame of his fpirit, fpiritual, flayed and compofed. (;.) That he be carefully watchful to prevent whatever may mar his peace, and to guard against what may diftemper and difcompofe his fpirit ; and that with- al he be fludious to keep his Confcience in a good tein- per or tune (to (peak fo) that it may be in readinefs to give him a teflimony when he calls for it. Thefe three are neceffary (1 fay) in every particular anion for keep- ing of a good Confcience ; that a man be in a thing that for the matter is right ; that he be in a compofed and füitable frame, and that he be watchful againft any thing that may hinder or diflemper him in profecuting that a &ion. 2. Tho' an explicite and a&ual teflimony and and refle&ing be not always or in all difference of time neceffary, yet it would be frequent ; and, the more fre- quent, readily the better. Tho' (for inftance) in every word of prayer one cannot adualiy refle && on himfelf, nor look after the teflimony of ConfLience : yet in in-. tervais this may he win at, and would be endeavoured : 'Tis in this cafe . fome way, as.'tis in reference to that command anent praying always, or 'without cerfng. Tho' we cannot pray always a&ually, or continually, without interruption, nor are we obliged to do fo yet we flioul be M
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