ernzoi ?,Z 2. . confidence and holy boldnefs in approaching to God, If our Confcience condemn us not, `lays fohn) then have we confidence towards God. In a word, whatever condition a tnsn can be in, it proves his friend, nay his belt friend. A third reafon is taken from the great prejudice that co- aneth to a man through his thwarting and coming in tops with Confcience ; he wanteth that fweet inward peace that pafl"eth all under(fanding, to keep and garrifon his heart and mind, whereby he is much expofed and laid open ; God looketh terrible-like upon hirn, and he bath no ae_ cefs to him with boldnefs and confidence ; when the Con- pence is difquieted, troubled, and as it were through-o- ther, or confufed, and fears arife, and challenges are wa- kened therein, there threaten a challenge from God, and portend a ftorm of wrath to follow Hence is David's corn - plaint, Pfal. 31. 3, 4. When I kept pence, nay bones wax e old through my roring, &c. and his lamentation through- out Pfalm 5!. and to this purpofe the apoftle john freaks very weightily, If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things ; where he plainly infnu.. ates, that the heart or Confcience its condemning, is the forerunner of God's`condemning, and an evidence of it ; and that withal the latter is, as more abfolutely infallible, fo more terrible than the former ; where there three go along together, it is impofiible, where a perfón is tender, but he will be loth to top or thwart with his Confcience. As for the tiles which we propofed to fpeak to in the third place, they may be drawn to thefe four. I. For information and inffru &ion in the matter of duty. z. For trial, and to evidence who are fincere believers. 3. For reproof. 4. For exhortation ; there being need of all thefe, efpccially to fuch Chriftians who take but little heed to their Confcience. The firß: Ufe íheweth what is believers duty ; they Mould by all means learn to know and take up what Con fcience faith from the word of God, and labour to have their Confcience well informed; and take notice of what it fpeaketh ere they do any thing, and what are Conici- ence thoughts of it, after it is done, and accordingly to be affe&ed, determined and fwayed : It is true, the Law afGod is the fnpreme rule» and to be hearkned to in tl.r
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