Confefon. ConAtence, Z75 mont not ofhis fin ergo his notenough : andyethe bathprofitedfurtherthen many ofvs, whichwill not confe a ourfines anti f Whenfoeuer we haue finned,it is good to haue this or thelike meditation: good Romtarife Lord, wiltthou call me to judgement andenter thinea5ion with me? How (hall I doe shins Batt then ? I will take thisorder ; I willdifagree and fallout with my felfe.But is there any hope intoany that Godwill then (hewmercie? Yeanodoubt, for itthe Lord were minded prefently to 704. irnprifon vs,he would neuer by hisprophets forewarnsvs by a. writ,he might vfe thewhole hostofthecreatures,to execute his vengeanceeuery houre, but he deales more mercifully withvs ifweconfetleour finnes. 6 Naturallywebeall tlowe toconferee our fins : we call (hors reckoningon ourowne faults: Adamfaid,I hauenot finned Lord : he leffeneth his fin in conceit, laying : Thewo- man gaue itme,and Idid eate:lobfeemethto makeanapologie,as beingvnworthie offuch a punifhment. But we niait lesmochat a honor the more hedothexcenuate andhide fin, the morehe doth aggrauate finne,and haften iudgement: the morefreelyhe dock confeffë and iudge hiinsfelf, the morelie isfreed from Godsfeate ofiuftice. Pro.z8.53. i,Cor.tI. 3 t.;z; CHAP. If. Ofconfciente. Ookehowis.ourConfcience, fo is our confidence: it is a tender peace, wemull beware how weeoffer any violence to it. Forthe confciente is verieft reprobate bathhis reprehender, which if hedoth nct fa- tender. tisfie, it willdehsuer himco the laylor. From thiseuillconfcience , wee nmftbee fprínkled inour hearts, firft wich faith in the bloud oftheLambe, determining that wee will neuer defile the!Mule ofGod againe: and though we cannot doe all good, yetlet vs defireall good, for the Lord iudgeth according to the purpote, petite&tIeod. not accordingto theperformance; accordingto thealfe&, not by theeffe&. Andyet wemutt not stay in this. ItHands vs vpon tovfe the ineanes,that we may bemailers ofvertues:Hell fair&purpofes,but not ofperformances.Looketherefore Lulus. tothyconfcience,forit is a brafen ss all,and as a thoufandwitnefes oftentovrgethisparti- eularfyllogifine : Whofo finnethmuff die : thouhaft finned : eroo,&c.Adamhaningeaten ofthe forbidden fruit,was in paradife Itill,but al theioyesthereinwere notable tocomfort his confcience,vntill- beingfound gal-pingand panting,he wascomforted of the Lord. ì Wemutt euerdeliire the light of Gods louingcountenance, whichwe maybe affu- red of, ifwe keepe faithand a good confiúence; butif wemake fhipwrackeof thefe, the shiprorackeel leali thing fhall greatly amaze vs, yea the(baking ofa leafe : but ifwe baue this, nothing atoodoeufci. (hall difinay vs. ',Wherefore let others put theirtrait in chariots,yet ifweals(' inthe Lord, oncebon aaun- we(hallnot fearewhat man can doevotovs. Thiswill take away confidence inthe (1e(h;8mou'. - andmakevs waft onely inGod. . 3 For examining a mans confcience; elsebeil wayis by the law to criewhether he bath examination a küowledge,feeling,and mitlikingof hishones or no : whether hebath any feare ofGods o /tbeconfei- iudgements.for finne,orfaith in hispromifes : and whether byparcicular.applyingofthefe ence. things to hiusfelfe, he can thew any effe&s ofprayer, Sacraments, new birth and repen- tance. q Wemull efpeciallybeware of fmotheringthewatchwordofourconfcience,when we Thewatchword arebentto finne.Care ofagood confcience,breedeth comfort inholmefte ; and pleafure in ofthecoofii- holinellè breeds allurance of bleftednes. ente. S We haue great peace, butno true peace,vntillwe turne toGod : vntillthe Ifraelites would ferue God,Pharaoh let them alone,but afterward hepreparesforthem,bricke,lime, Truepeaceof and afornace: fo longas weare quiet infinne, all iswell ; butifoncewedellefinne,then confcienee thO
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