52 Serìnoiz z. generals ; Y. That whatever is fir againff God, offendeth the Confcience ; for Confcience being God's deputy,fub- flitute by him, and fuftaining his place and vice,in a man - ner, in the foul; to give fentence for him, whatever of- fends and wrongs God, muff alto offend and wrong the Confcience ; and tho' every fin doth not always at pre fent fenfibly and feelingly affe &i the Confcience, yet it rnaketh way for that, and proveth to be an offence and wrong done tf4, in that it layeth the ground of a chal- lenge. z. That is an offence and wrong to the Confci- ence, which is agaìnft light and knowledge : And tho' the impulfè of Confcience, according to that light, be not always fo vigorous ; yet,where there is a thwarting with light, there is a daring of Confcienee, and a contradicting of it, and (as it is, Rom. 14. zz.) a man then condemneth himf l f in that which he alloweth. , and layeth the ground of a challenge againff himíelf in that wherein he bath light and clearnefs. 3. Confcience is offended or wronged, when any thing is adventured on that is contrary to the impulfe of it ; as when Confcience faith,That fuch or ¡hell a thing ought to be done, and we notwithffanding leave it undone ; or when it faith, Such and fuch a thing ought not to be done, and yet we do it : Since Confcience (as we faid before) takes notice of all a man's thoughts, pur- poles, words and ways, to give in a word for God, when that which it fays for him is flighted, it cannot but be offended and wronged. Secondly, Not to offend, but to keep friendíhip and a good underffanding with the Confcience, fuppofeth and taketh in thefe things, z. To have the judgment clearly informed anent the mind of God ; for tho' Confcience be above us, yet it is under God, and therefore it ought to be informed from his word ; and we lay .a ffumbling- block before it, when we endeavour not to have the eye fingle (as the Lord fpeaks) and the uiiderffanding clear. z. To liffen and lend the ear to hear what Con- fcience faith, and, after deliberation, to be fwayed and determined according ro what it faith, in doing or for.. bearing ; for, unlefs we takeheed to the voice of Confci- ence, we know not when we pleafe or difpleafe it. 3. To ply and fleer a ffrairihc cou -fe according to the di &ate and dire&tioi
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