68 Sermon 3. In this text we have a thort and Tweet fum of Paul's, life, (an excellent copy and pattern of a Chriftian walk and converfation) wherein he giveth us a view of thefe two ; i . Of his aim and defign, to walk fo as he may have a Confcience void of offence toward God and toward men ; and that in an unìverfnl extent, always, or at all times, and in all things. 2. Of his manner of profe- cuting it ; Herein (faith he) do I exercife rny/el_ f . He is feri- oufly taken up with it, it is his great bufinefs, his one thing, as he calls it, Phil. 3. 13. We fpoke of thole two generals ; 1. That there is in all men and women a Confcience, that taketh notice of there a &ions, and is ready to be offended with there mifd carriages. 2. That men and women, and more efpeci-' ally believers, ought fo to live, and, if tender, will aim fo to live, as they may be friends with there Confcience, and that there may be good terms and a good underifanding betwixt them and their Confcience ; that their Confci- ence may have no challenge againft them in any thing of their walk, either toward God, or toward men. This is clearly and convincingly holden out in Paul's pra &ice here, whofe great aim, defign and endeavour was to walk fo, as his Confcience might have nothing to fay againft him in duties relating either to God or to men, in fecret, in private, or in publick. This we profecuted a little, and íhewed you, that there is a tie and obli- gation lying on men fo to walk and to follow (not an erring and deluded Confcience, but) Confcience rightly informed, pufhin , accufing or excufing according to the word ; for it is Confcience, fo qualified, that is the rule fubordinate to the infallibly- regulating rule of the word. The sifts of the dottrine (as we thew) are four ; the Y. For Inftru &ion. The 2. For trial. The 3. For convi &ion or reproof. The 4. For exhortation. We fpoke a little to the ufe of inffru &ion the laft day, to which now we add, That, if men should fo walk as their çpnfcience may have nothing to charge them with, nor tofcaft up to them wherein they have thwarted with it ; then every man's defign in his Chriftian walk ought to be as extenfive as his Confcience is in its office, either in dip rating or in aceufing or excufing; other wife he cannot have peace
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