courage wisedome and grauity which God hath giuen you that you would with an heroicall spirit incounter the many-headed monstrous Hydra of sinfull abuses in these exulcerate times and by an Herculean arme of publike iustice by degrees cut off the farre-spreading branches of all State-spoyling couenant-breaking Church-robbing soule-murthering iniquity which beareth vp crest and brest too against all the inferiour Magistracy Some faults I know may be like Cummin-seed beaten out with the rod as the Prophet speaketh Esa 28. other more scandalous Esa 28. 27. offences like fitches must be driuen out with a flaile but the cart-wheele it selfe must make a noyse that is the seuerest punishment must bee inflicted where the parties peccant will not bee reformed especially the incorrigible followers of drunken Bacchus the professed friends of Romish Balaam without dallying or delay must be confronted curbed confounded wherein if you my Lords shall duly exercise your authority and as chiefe substitutes vnder God and our King for the redressing of inormities in this Circuit approoue your fidelity and integrity assure your selues wee shall bee euer ready to blesse God for you to pray that God would blesse you that you may continue a blessing vnto vs in the conscionable execution of your Iudiciall function Vse 3 For the better execution whereof the voyce of more then a man and lowder then a Trumpet is here necessary not so much to rowze vp your consciences as to quicken and inliue the consciences of inferiour Ministers officers and instruments of iustice by their ioynt labours and vigilancy by their diligent inquisition true information godly resolution to be assistant vnto you in that great worke which you haue to doe for the preseruing and promoting of godlinesse peace and honesty for the suppressing and punishing of irreligion and luxury lawlesse contention and popery in these quarters of the Land For as the Clocke though it bee of Simile the best metall and making will not strike orderly and truly but much therein will be out of frame and fashion if the lesser wheeles as well as the greater keepe not their due and regular motion So in the curious Clockworke of Iustice there will bee many exorbitancies albeit the chiefe agents and moouers therein bee neuer so sound in their integrity if the vnder-agents and instruments of Iustice as witnesses in prouing the action Counsellers in pleading and prosecuting the cause Quest-men in sifting and censuring the euidences and allegations doe not also take care and make conscience of discharging their duties And as Nebuchadnezzars Image Dan. 2. Dan. 2. 32. though it had a golden head yet fell to the ground and was dashed in pieces because it had feet of clay Euen so though the chiefe Magistrates the reuerend Iudges and some worthy Iusticers bee as golden heads in places of iudicature and doe desire and indeuour to discharge their bounden duty yet we heare too often that truth and equity falles to the ground because these golden heads haue dirty feet couetous vndermining seruants corrupt cheating vnder-officers which set to sale conscience honesty If these things be not so what meaneth the bleating of Sheepe and lowing of Oxen in my eares as Samuel spake to Saul 1. Sa. 1. Sam. 15. 14. that is What meane the mournfull complaints of many poore plaine Country men wronged Widdowes who comming from farre to the Assises and Sessions for Iustice and redresse of iniuries returne full often home againe with much discomfort of heart sit downe in heauinesse and cry out with teares and wringing of hands Alas what a thing is this I had thought to haue found Iustice to haue had some redresse of my wrongs reliefe of my wants remedy of my euils and an end of my suite in Law but I see I feele I finde that there is little equity conscience or honesty much dissembling double-dealing and partiality the most things are ruled by fauour and affection and greatnesse will haue the victory my iourney is long my expences great my trauell painefull my case helpelesse labour fruitlesse sorrow endlesse for I thinke my matter put off from time to time Terme to Terme will neuer be ended c. O ye seates of Iudgement be ashamed of this and ye thrones of Iustice blush at this iniquity and ye Fathers and Brethren on whom dependeth the redresse of these enormities Let the cry I beseech you of the poore fatherlesse and innocent enter into your eares and hearts and mooue you to exercise true iudgement and to Zech. 7. 9. shew mercy to your poore distressed Brethren Vp and be doing what you ought to doe and the Lord will bee with you Heerein exercise your selues that euery day and euery action of the day may witnesse your desire and indeuour to keepe and discharge a good conscience towards God and men O suffer not your Religion and profession your credit and reputation godly courses good mens causes and your owne consciences to lie a bleeding whilest you too indulgent ouer your selues and regardlesse of the weale-publicke lie a sleeping Rather as sentinels in a watch keepe your selues euer waking and intent to that worke office and imployment whereunto by occasion of these solemne Assises you are called and assigned And as for you which are called hither to bee witnesses to testifie the truth in matters of right or wrong life or death hearken briefly to your watch-word and apply it to your selues as your owne proper Motto Dicatur veritas rumpatur inuidia Though enuy and greatnesse swell sweat fume fret and burst in twaine speake ye the truth and the whole truth and nothing but the truth without feare or fauour for small as great stranger as Brother and the God of Truth shall be with you and you shall haue both the testimony of honesty for your credit among men and the testimony of a good conscience for your comfort before God And as for you that are Iurors of the Grand or petty Quest presumed by the Law to be either Gentlemen of note for wisedome and integrity or Yeomen of good fame for credit and honesty hearken you likewise to your watch-word and take this vnto you for your Impresa Ruat coelum fiat iustitia Though the skie fall and the mountaines fume and the mighty rich ill ones frowne neuer so much yet let right be done Sift well and examine all proofes and euidences take heed offer no violence to your consciences but according to truth and equity let matters be indifferently scanned and so let your vnpartiall verdict bee boldly deliuered And as for you that are Aduocates and Counsellers of Law I pray without any Church-pinching prohibition giue me leaue in the name of him who can command you may condemne you and will certainely iudge you to giue you also your watch-word and Embleme which shall be this Pereat nummus seruetur innocentia Let vniust gaine of doubled trebled fees perish in the pit of hell and bee vtterly
in the duties of holinesse and piety towards God or of righteousnesse peace or equity towards men And heerein c. which words being thus expounded by way of diuision offer to the duty of our consideration Three remarkable points of obseruation 1. The first S. Pauls Christian practice and actuall imployment grounded on the hope of the resurrection Heerein therefore doe I exercise my selfe 2. The second is the matter subiect of his Diuision imployment and exercise to haue and preserue an vpright conscience 3. The third is the latitude extent of the same either In respect of time to haue a good conscience alwayes In respect of the obiects to haue and discharge a good conscience towards God Men. THe blessed Apostle confesseth in the verse Illustr Text. foregoing my Text that he confidently beleeued the doctrine of the Resurrection and therfore in a well groūded expectation therof professeth himselfe heere studious of a godly life and vnblameable conuersation Hee had well learned that Christianity consisted not in idle speculation but industrious negotiation and therefore sets to the worke not doing it by a Deputy or putting it ouer to after-times but for the present without doubt or delay exerciseth himselfe Heerein I exercise my selfe He vnderstood well enough that the best duties required the greatest diligence and therefore vltimata voluntate with all might and maine exerciseth himselfe in this to haue alwayes an vpright conscience Hee knew that to make a shew of deuotion and piety towards God and not to procure things honest in the sight of men sauoured of hypocrisie and on the contrary to obserue a kind of peaceable truth and plausible equity in our dealing with men and to be regardlesse of Religion and Zeale in matters of Gods worship was no other then prophane formality and therefore with a settled resolution indeuoureth to hold a concurrence and correspondencie of both in their order that is first to approoue the truth and sincerity of his seruice in all duties Diuine towards God and then with all diligence and dexterity to performe all humane dues and duties towards men These Right Honourable and Beloued are the seuerall bounds and limits of my intended Meditations on this Text answerable to the seuerall limmes and lineaments of S. Pauls holy practice and profession shaddowed forth therein for the more liuely describing and portraying of which in their proper colours and proportions three generall doctrines and instructions 3. Doct. obs are principally to bee obserued Whereof the first resulteth and issueth from the motiue The second from the manner The third from the matter of Saint Pauls religious exercise and imployment as in order they offer themselues to bee handled The first Doctrine arising from the motiue 1. Doct. to wit the hope Saint Paul had of the resurrection of iust and vniust is this That the assured hope and settled expectancy of the day of Resurrection and Iudgement to come when we shall render account and receiue a reward according to our deeds is and ought to bee a forcible allectiue to draw on Christians to the earnest pursuit of godlinesse and constant practice of true Religion Tolle spem Resurrectionis Chrys in 24. Mat. saith golden-mouthed Chrysostome resoluta est omnis obseruantia pietatis Take away the hope of the Resurrection and the building of piety wanteth her foundation For vpon this foundation all the Apostles haue builded their exhortations to amendment of life and sanctification as Saint Paul Acts 17. Now God admonisheth Acts 17. 30. 1. Thes 4. 2. Tit. 11. all men euery where to repent because he hath appointed a Day in which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse And 1. Iohn 3. 1. Ioh. 3. 3. Wee know when Christ Iesus shall appeare wee shall bee like him and euery one that hath this hope purgeth himselfe as he is pure So S. Peter Seeing the Heauens shall passe with a 2. Pet. 3. 11. noise the Elements melt with heate and all these things be dissolued what manner of persons Vers 14. ought yee to bee in holy conuersation and godlinesse Yea seeing that ye looke for these things be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace and blamelesse in that Day The expectation of which Day called the Day of Restauration Acts. 3. 21. of all things hath euer beene is and will be to such as feare God a forcible prouocation to vertuous atchieuements and religious actions Then then indeed runs a man cheerefully in the Race of Christianity when hee knowes that he runs not at vncertainety Tolle Bernard viatori spem perueniendi continuò franguntur vires ambulandi He blunts the edge of industry that denies recompence and where there is no apprehension of a Day of remuneration there is little care of proficiency or striuing to perfection For to reason as the Apostle doth Reason 1 Phil. 3. How can we dwelling on earth desire Phil. 3. 20 21. to haue our conuersation in heauen if we looke not for the second comming of our Sauiour and how can we looke for his comming except we beleeue the Resurrection and how can we beleeue the Resurrection vnlesse wee acknowledge that power by which he is able to subdue all things to himselfe Againe How doe wee acknowledge our God to bee Almighty in power without the faith of the Resurrection and how can wee haue the faith of the Resurrection without the hope of a Sauiour and how can we haue hope of a Sauiour without an heauenly conuersation So that the life of this conuersation is hope by which wee expect the comming of a Sauiour and the ground of this hope is faith by which wee are assured that at his comming hee will change our vile bodies and make them like to his glorious Body and the reason of this faith beyond reason is his power by which hee is able to accomplish all things after his good will and pleasure All these be linkes so diuinely hanging and depending each on other in that golden chaine of the Apostle that if we let slip one we lose the comfortable hold-fast of all but good Christians misse not of any but established in faith rooted in hope and abounding in loue set forward in an holy course of life and follow hard towards Phil. 3. 14. the Marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ knowing that they are begotten by the immortall seed of the Word in the bosome 1. Pet. 1. 3. of the Church Militant on earth to a liuely hope of an inheritance immortall and vndefiled in the Church Triumphant in heauen Reason 2 This hope as it giueth vs an edge that wee should earnestly affect couet spirituall things so doeth it giue vs a backe also to indure all things for why doe the seruants of God beare crosses and losses so patiently abstaine from euill so carefully pursue the things that are good so cheerefully but because
abandoned and according to your Office of pleading your Clients cause formally and prosecuting his affaires faithfully as much as in you lieth let innocency be preserued vse your best indeuour that right may bee had with moderate expence vse the Law lawfully that it may prooue a speciall and speedy remedie of wrongs and not an Engine or trap to insnare the weake as many complaine what though for your plaine and conscionable dealing you lose your fees and profit in the place of Iudgement on earth yet bee assured of this your innocency shall procure you a better reward at the Iudgement seate in heauen And now for you the reuerend Sages and honourable Iudges of this Circuit and for you also the praise-worthy Iusticers of this Shire what remaineth to be done but only this that out of your owne ingenuous disposition without any prescription of mine you should ioyne together what in places of iudicature may not be put asunder all these Symbolicall sentences and quarter them as so many Scutchions with the Armes of your houses and offices in this order Dicatur veritas first Fiat iustitia next and then in the third place Seruetur innocentia whereunto adde for a Crest to make vp the compleate coate of a gracious Magistrate Dominetur conscientia Thus if looking vp to God who is present and chiefe President in your assemblies you shall in a reuerent feare of his Name see that truth bee testified and deliuered Iustice done and executed innocency preserued and protected and a good conscience in all things kept and preserued then shall the mountaines and hilles bring vnto the people peace and prosperity then shall Iustice as the Sunne Mercy as the Moone other vertues as the Starres shine about your seates of Gouernement to the confounding of the wicked and the comfort of the godly Which God grant by the assistance of his grace to the praise of his glory Amen Amen THE CONSCIONABLE CHRISTIAN Preached at Taunton Aug. 7. 1620. The Text Acts 24. 16. Heerein therefore doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwayes an vpright conscience towards God and men AS the Prophet Ionas brought the same message to the Nineuites at his second sending vnto them so doe I bring Right Honourable c. the same Text of Scripture at this my second calling before you desiring to end what the last Assises I began and to adde a roofe to that foundation which then I laid and to giue an account of such particulars as remaine yet vndiscussed of that generall Bill of parcels which then I exhibited to your Christian consideration And hauing then as you may remember spoken generally according to the modell of time allotted for me to speake and you to heare of the reall religious practice and the actuall Christian imployment of Saint Paul prosecuting withall such doctrines and vses as the motiue and manner of his imployment did offer to our obseruation I come now by orderly descent to handle more especially the matter subiect and meane businesse of conscience wherein he was thus seriously imployed and exercised And for my better proceeding therein and your profiting thereby will by Gods assistance and your continued patience present to the eyes of your vnderstanding First Conscience it selfe as in her nature Diuis 3. parts properties and offices in her power command and Soueraignty she is considered to be great Secondly I will commend to your view and entertainement an vpright conscience as in her causes and effects in her priuiledges of being the best Gardian Counsellor and Comforter shee is found to bee singularly good And thirdly as her goodnesse according to the latitude thereof extendeth it selfe in respect of time alwayes thorow the whole course of mans life to the performance of all good duties concerning God and man Herein doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwayes a good conscience towards God and men Of each of these in their order and first of 1. Part. conscience according to its power and greatnesse whereof my purpose is not to make an exact Scholasticall Discourse but to touch the tops of generall notions and with Gideons Souldiers Iudg. 7. to lap at the brinkes of those riuers wherein others haue deepely waded and with Ionathan 1. Sam. 14. to giue you a taste on the tip of my rod of that sight-cleering honysweetnesse which therefrom may be gathered Wherefore passing by the nicities and curious speculations of Schoole-men whether conscience be an Act or an Habit a faculty Theoricall or Practicall simple or mixt and compounded of both whether seated in the vnderstanding will or memory as the proper subiect thereof c. and passing ouer with a light finger and dry foot the Rhetoricall Notifications and witty Illustrations thereof drawne from its Illustr consc offices adiuncts effects when and where it is deciphered to be a mans best friend soonest offended or bitterest foe hardliest appeased a bridle before sinne to preuent it a scourge after sinne to punish it domesticus index index carnifex in briefe to be the soules Schoolemaster Monitor and Domesticall Preacher mans tutelar God and protector Gods Law-Booke Leiger Ambassadour Spie Intelligencer and the truest Prognosticatour in a mans bosome or brest foretelling what shall become of him hereafter c. As an abstract of all the premisses I will briefly and plainely commend to your consideration the nature and essence of conscience vnder these termes of a definition or description Conscience so called either à cordis scientia Description of conscience Bern Aquin. in reference to the soule reflecting and recoyling vpon it selfe or à scientia cum alio in respect to God with whom it is a co-witnesse of whatsoeuer is in man is a noble and diuine power Rom. 2. 15. and faculty planted of God in the substance of mans soule working vpon it selfe by reflection Esa 30. 21. and taking exact notice as a Scribe or Register and determining as Gods Viceroy and deputy Iudge of all that is in the mind will affections actions and whole life of man I name it a faculty and not a bare act because Prob. desc sundry actiōs as to testifie accuse excuse acquit condemn are giuē vnto it I terme it a noble diuine power and not an humane acquired habit because acts and habits too may be got and lost deposed from their subiect and separated from the soule but Conscience as it is borne with vs so it will neuer leaue vs it is indiuiduall inseparable there is no putting of it to flight or flying from it nec fugere nec fugare eam poteris but it will say to thee as Ruth to Naomi I will Ruth 1. goe with thee wheresoeuer thou goest To bee briefe I giue it roome and place in the whole soule and doe not as some haue done thrust it into a corner thereof as if it were a part onely of the practicall vnderstanding because the operation of it cannot bee circumscribed in narrower bounds then the soule it selfe
Isa 57. 21. is no peace to the wicked saith my God no true peace either in life or death Lateri haeret laethalis arundo The griping gnawing and neuer dying Worme of an accusing conscience euery where tormenteth them and executeth the sentence of remedilesse condemnation vpon them so that being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 selfe-condemned Tit. 3. 11. through the guilt of their sinnes as Cain Iudas Herod and Felix were and as credible Histories Acts 24. declare Bessus for secret killing of his father Bassianus of his brother Orestes of his mother and Richard the third of his nephewes to haue beene they leade heere a life euer-dying and feele as it were a death neuer-ending which is no other but a fore-runner of that supreme and finall doome which God who will iustifie the sentence and execution of conscience shall in that great Day of Iudgement passe peremptorily on all the wilfully-disobedient transgressors of his Commandements Vse Take we heed then that wee neglect not the checks of conscience when wee are bent vnto sinne nor despise the iudgement of conscience when we haue sinned but make haste by repentance in faith to be reconciled to God and it for otherwise God will ratifie the sentence of conscience at the last Day on all impenitent sinners and albeit now many such by their wealth and hearts ease are rockt asleepe by iesting merry tales eating drinking and gaming are cast into a spirit of slumber yea although the vnruly perturbations of their worldly lusts and affections be now so lowd that the voyce of their conscience condemning their wicked wayes and workes cannot bee heard yet the Day shall come and it will be a dreadfull Day for them when these worldly negotiations shall cease and all fleshly perturbations shall be silent and conscience shall be so shrill that they shall both heare it and be thryld at it and gnash Reuel 16. 11. with their teeth and gnaw their tongues for indignation to see how God taketh part with it against them O what horrour and confusion shall then couer the faces of such as by a multitude of carnall pleasures and worldly cares and affaires drowne and cry downe the voyce of conscience by which their euill wayes and workes are condemned as the Drums and Tabrets 2. King 23. 10. in the sacrifices of Molech did the cry of the infants which in Tophet were burned But on the other side O what honour and exaltation shall crowne the heads of those which heare and obey the voyce of conscience by the light of Gods Word rightly informed which lend their eares whilest this good Cassandra spends her tongue and by her in all their actions are willingly guided and directed And so much if not too much may suffice to haue beene spoken generally of conscience it selfe as in her nature properties and offices in her power command and Soueraignty she is considered to bee great Now by Gods assistance vnder the conduct 2. Part. of his feare and your fauour I will proceed to commend to your view and entertainement especially an vpright conscience as in her causes and effects her proiects and priuiledges she is found to bee singularly good and that 1. Bernard Bona conscientia turbata 2. Bona conscientia tranquilla not as she is in continuall conflict with the flesh rebelling against the Spirit and so afflicted with the sanctified dolours of the new birth but as it is after regeneration quieted with the sence of remission of sinnes and reconciliation to God in Christ and so excusing cleering chearing and comforting the soule of the sound Christian In respect whereof some call it The Paradise of the soule The Iubile of the heart Laetitia cordis quasi latitia A surpassing inward solace so dilating and inlarging the heart for some good in possession more in expectation that the ioy thereof cannot well bee suppressed or expressed And hence in a common popular apprehension it is said to bee a ioyfull remembrance of a well led life ioyned with an hopefull expectation of a comfortable death and glorious resurrection S. Paul in respect of the mindes tranquillity Phil. 4. 7. inioyed thereby termeth it a peace which passeth all vnderstanding like to the hidden Manna and white stone wherein a name was written which no man knoweth but hee that inioyeth it Reuel 2. 17. Salomon that kingly Reu. 2. 17. Preacher pointing at the peerelesse pleasure and immutable comfort of a good conscience compares it to a continuall feast farre excelling Pro. 15. 15. Mishteh tamid the royall feast of Ahashuerus which lasted but nine-skore dayes for this feast of a good conscience whereat the Angels are Cookes and Butlers and the blessed Trinity gladsome ghests as Luther boldly speakes without intermission Luth. in Gal. of solace or interruption of society is a continuall feast A feast in life and health refreshing the soule with dainty cates of diuine comforts A feast in sicknesse when worldlings hopes hang downe their heads like a Bulrush and lag like a Ruffians starcht Ruffe in a storme of raine yea in death a feast when comfort is worth a world and all worldly comforts and comforters forsake vs yea in the Day of Resurrection and after that Day when all these shaddowes shall flie away a feast for euermore No maruell then that Saint Bernard being rapt and rauished heerewith breaketh foorth into the singular commendation of the admirable endowments thereof saying Bona conscientia est Be◠in form hon vit titulus religionis templum Salomonis ager Benedictionis hortus deliciarum gaudium Angelorum c. A good conscience is the Title and Crowne of Religion the Temple of Salomon the field of Benediction the Garden of delight the ioy of Angels and Sanctuary of the holy Ghost c. But because these the like allusiue notions of a good conscience frequent in the Fathers are magis sloridae quà m solidae more pregnant for wit then profitable for present vse I will say to them as Iehu to the messenger of Iehoram 2. Kin. 9. 18. 2. King 9. Turne behind me and will take hold of that more sound description thereof by Isiodore affirming that a cleere or inoffensiue conscience is such a one Quae nec de praeterito iustè accusatur Isiod in 2. l. soli loq nec de praesenti iniustè delectatur nec de futuro sollicitè perturbatur that is which is neither iustly accused for things past nor vnlawfully delighted with things present nor anxiously troubled for things to come This clearing chearing conscience and that Note perfectly good Adam only had in his Creation whilest in Paradise hee walked with God without sinne and without feare in the state of innocency But now there is no way to come to it to attaine and haue a quiet conscience and that but imperfectly good after regeneration but onely by the mediation and reconciliation of Christ Being iustified by faith in
so our soules as fields of sincerity being euery day more and more charged with the deeds of iustice and mercy may at length be accomplisht with the Crest and Crowne of eternall glory To this purpose tendeth the precept and charge of the Apostle Be not weary of well doing Gal. 6. 9. Eccl. 11. 6. for in due time yee shall reape if you faint not and that of Chrysostome Sow with a mind to reape Chrysost in opere imperf sight with a desire to ouercome conquer with an expectation to be crowned Wherein Perseuerance which Bernard calleth Sororem patientiae constantiae Bern. filiam pacis amicam virtutuni consummationem And another Talarem tunicam that long white Greg. Robe reaching downe to the feet which euery good Ioseph must put on and another The Empresse Chrysost of vertues which rewardeth him that runneth crowneth him that fighteth bringeth to the hauen him that saileth without which obedience hath no reward a good turne receiues no thankes and fortitude deserues no glory Wherein I say perseuerance in well-doing Note which is euery Christian mans duty in hope and expectation of recompence considering our humane infirmity is commended vnto vs all and that not onely in our generall calling as we are Christians but also in our particular vocations as wee are Magistrates Ministers Iudges Iusticers or any other inferiour beneficiall Officers in Church or Common-wealth So that looking for the reward not of debt but of fauour as Saint Paul speaketh we are to proceed Rom. 4. confidently and constantly in our Christian obedience to the end Yea it is our duty to labour much to liue so to suffer much to dye so as constant conscionable Christians ought yea to dye in despight of death couragiously for the maintenance of equity and truth to raigne so as constant conscionable Christians vndoubtedly shall Thus if we Beloued shall giue all diligence to perseuere in the practice of the generall and particular duties of Christian obedience wee shall then with daily comfort taste the sweetnesse of an vpright conscience and if we desire and indeuour without dissimulation and hypocrisie in respect of others without partiality and defection in regard of our selues to walke in the wayes of Gods Commandements as he hath prescribed wee shall bee sure to inioy the continuall ioy and peace of a good conscience without night of desertion or eclipse of change and variation as he hath promised To conclude this point if we Fathers and brethren according to the dictate and direction of conscience inlightened and awaked shall both in the course of our generall conuersation and in the offices of our particular vocation be carefull and faithfull in louing what God loueth and hating what he hateth in doing what God commandeth and eschewing what he forbiddeth we shall then be both truely holy and happy too So shall we be exempt and free not onely from the crimson-crying sinnes of Iusticewronging Magistrates soule-staruing Ministers face-grinding oppressors truth-betraying witnesses and lurors sacrilegious rob-Gods desperate mocke-Preachers and such like flagitious offenders who with seared and benummed consciences habituati sunt in malo faetent in peccato lie stinking in their sinnes as Lazarus in the graue But also from the common sinnes of wantons gluttons lyers swearers slanderers Sabbath-breakers and the like common sinners whose large cheuerill consciences dispense with all corruptions and transgressions that are not capitall yea we shall be free by the aforesaid godly care from the vniust morosity and causelesse anxiety of scrupulous bird-eyd consciences which make more Commandements then ten and proiect fearefull things where no feare is That so our rightly-informed quietacquitting consciences may passe with Top-saile and Banners displaid with Flags of defiance to the workes and workers of iniquity through the waues of this world to the Harbour of eternall rest ioy and felicity With such a cleering-cheering conscience Note our Apostle Saint Paul the worthy Champion Acts 27. 14. â—â— 36. of Iesus Christ sailed couragiously in the angry Adriaticall Sea when the tempestuous Euroclydon raged and meate and light was for many dayes denyed and all that were in the Ship besides despaired telling them confidently that none of them should perish but all bee preserued for his sake With the wings of such a conscience when the Iewes thought spake Acts 23. 24 25. euill of him and plotted mischiefe against him he as an Eagle soared aloft and respecting their forged calumnies no more then the chitting of Sparrowes or chatting of Pyes bare himselfe vp brauely aboue the scourges and razors of their tongues and farre beyond the Sphere of their malignity with this Armour of righteousnesse on the right hand and the left being fitly cladde he passed through good reports and bad through many iniuries indignities dangers and difficulties as bold as a Lyon as valiant as Gideon and Samson A good conscience like the Arke of Noah bare him vp aboue the pride and power of all worldly surges and sorrowes vndaunted vnappalled so that at midnight Acts 16. 25. in the dungeon all manacled and fettered as hee was in a wounded skinne wee find him praying and singing in a whole and merry conscience Saul could not be merry without a Musician 1. Sam. 16. Ahab without Naboths Vineyard proud Haman 1. King 21. Esth 7. without Mordecais courtesie But he that carryeth the true Electuary exhilarans laetificans Galeni of a good conscience about him he hath selfe-sufficiency and without Musicke money lands or honour is happy still and merry alone like to the late inuented Musicall instruments of perpetuall motion c. With this Counseller and Comforter in the bosome to wit a good conscience Iacob can Gen. 28. 11. sleepe sweetly on a pillow of stone Daniel and Dan. 1. 15. his fellowes looke fresh and faire feeding on pulse alone Iob in the midst of his paine and pouerty possessed of this true Diamond which darted many beames of comfort vpon his soule challenged his aduersaries to write against him Iob 31. 35 36. a Booke of slander and hee would take it vpon his shoulder bind it to his head as a Crowne of honour Heereunto Hezekiah neere vnto Isa 38. death hauing recourse for succour confidently thus saith I beseech thee Lord remember how I haue walked before thee in truth By this Anchor-hold all the children of God in the midst of manifold temptations and spirituall conuulsions haue beene euer so mainely sustained that with Saint Paul they haue thus constantly resolued Whether wee liue we liue vnto the Rom. 14. 8. Lord whether we die we die vnto the Lord whether we liue therefore or die wee are the Lords Vse Doe ye then Men Fathers and Brethren desire to haue in your selues an heauen vpon earth and to aspire to an happinesse independant on the creatures without you O then indeuour earnestly and pursue this one thing aboue other things viz.
is and will bee auerse from them all flying not onely scandalous blemishes but the first blushes and appearance of euill and hauing respect to all Gods Commandements Psal 119. 6. in substance and circumstance alloweth no man in the wilful breach of any of them seeme they to flesh and blood neuer so small For the least leauen of wickednesse corrupteth Iam. 2. 10. the whole masse of goodnesse and the rich and precious oyntment of a good conscience is polluted and made impure if but one dead fly Eccl. 10. one deadly sinne be suffered I doe not say to light on it but if with our will it lye and dye and putrifie in it Auaunt then with Naamans â— King 5. â—â—rk 6. 〈◊〉 5. and Herods exception in this with Anania's and Saphyra's reseruation in that with Agrippa's modicum and perswasion almost to be a Christian Acts 26. 28. for this is but almost to bee saued Away with the glozing formality and sin-cloking policy of those which make siluer Cawseyes for sinne that they may goe thereupon thorow the world dry-shod and steale away to hell with the least noyse of the world Away with the mock-holinesse and righteousnesse of those irreligious Statists which make mans law the scantling of their religion and better then that makes them will not bee further then that compels them will not go no not an inch nor so far neither but for feare thinking all to be well if the statutes of Omri be obserued Away with Mica 6. 16. these and euery of these for none of these can stand with the religion price praise and peace of a good conscience It is but halfe a mans honesty to be no better then the law of man makes him which reformeth but that if all that which the world sees out of the daÌ„ger wherof a wicked maÌ„ may liue If he haue not a great man to his enemy or but a great man to be his friend whose liuery as the world goes is countenance enough to keepe drunkennes from the stockes whoredome from the post coozenage from the pillory and theft too from the gallowes The law of man doth but looke to the outward facts and pruneth when it doth best but the outrage of euill actions but the rule and religion of a good conscience looketh higher to God and pierceth deeper euen to the inward man examineth the heart reformeth bad opinions and base affections and makes him in whom it beareth sway to be a law vnto himselfe beyond the reach of all humane lawes whatsoeuer and so bindes him to serue the true God with a true heart in a true manner to serue God immediately in true holinesse and integrity without exception hypocrisie or superstition and men subordinately for Gods sake in righteousnesse peace and amity without fraud oppression schisme and contention Wherefore to apply my selfe to the capacities Application generall and particular of all in generall and to speake home to the consciences of euery one in particular Tell me I pray' Art thou a man of ciuill fashion a reputed honest man of faire comportment and condition one that liuest quietly with thy neighbours giuest almes cheerfully in trading art at a word in payments and promises keepest day and touch in all thy dealings obseruest equity and truth and payest euery man his due It is well why then let God haue his due too pay him the prime seruice of holinesse holines Exod. 28. 36. is his due thou maist reade it in the forehead of the high Priest Exod. 28. and heare it from Esa 6. 3. the mouth of the Seraphim thrice repeated Esa 6. to teach what is chiefe in him what should be chiefe in vs and whereunto chiefly we ought to direct our seruice Pay then vnto him this due and performe this duty of holinesse Follow peace and holines without which Heb. 12. 14. thou canst not see God Heb. 12. Giue to him this holy seruice in secreto Sanctorum in thy Closet or bed-Chamber in thy priuate deuotion alone at any time of the day or night as the good Spirit shall mooue thee giue it to him especially with thy family morning and euening speake to him holily in Prayer heare him reuerently in the Word conferre with him religiously in Meditation which is the life of hearing the strength of praying the mother of practising More especially on his holy Sabbath in his holy Sanctuary at the receiuing of his holy Sacrament when and where thy holinesse should bee at holiest come before him and worship him Psal 96. 9. 1. Thes 4. 1. Tim. 2. 2. cum decore sancto with an holy kinde of decencie or in the beauty of holinesse with godlinesse and grauity deuoutly honouring the publike Ministery and in all carrying thy selfe most reuerently as Gods humble and holy seruant should doe and not in a stately surly kinde of holinesse or homely fellow-like familiarity as many turning their phantasticall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into Pharisaicall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 haue done and some yet at this day doe and which is worst thinke of right they must doe so c. Againe on the other side art thou a man which makest more then ordinary profession of godlinesse frequentest diligently the outward exercises of Religion hearest Sermons and Lectures readest Gods Booke much and oft communicatest with due and dutifull preparation and art zealous in refraining from open disorders on the Sabbath day and in restraining thy family and such as depend and attend vpon thee from making it a day of bodily labour a day of riotous eating and drinking a day of lustfull and vnlawfull gaming too common euery where that thou mayest consecrate it as glorious vnto the Lord by both publike and priuate hearing and reading the Word by conference Prayer and thankefull praysing of God Certainely thou doest well and t is very like thou hast a good conscience towards God But yet grow not heereupon presumptuous take not hence liberty as some doe to pay no debts to put money to Vsury to rent-racke thy Tenants to deny the Magistrate his due of obedience and recompence the Minister his due of reuerence and maintenance to be disdainefull of thy brethren couetous reuengefull and vncharitably censorious as if righteousnesse peace and amity towards men were not as well a part of Gods seruice and a duty of good conscience as well as holinesse and piety towards God Yes yes He that doth a good piece of Iustice downeward or tendreth his duty to his Superiour vpward and dealeth equally with his euen-Christian neighbours procuring things honest and Phil. 4. 9. Rom. 12. 17. of good report before them and desiring as much as in him lieth to haue peace with all men Hee I say in so doing doth not onely deale well with men but doth God good seruice also and when he commeth from Church going about these things may say truely Hee goes to serue God and this seruice of righteousnesse peace and loue
herein consists as I conceiue it in a practicall Syllogisme the maior and proposition whereof ariseth from the Synteresis or treasury of morall principles and of sacred rules wherewith the practicall vnderstanding is furnished for the sauing direction of vs in all actions The minor or assumption is properly Syneidesis-conscience that is an actuall application of our knowledge to this or that particular act or obiect whence followes the immediate and necessary issue and office of conscience to testifie in respect of things simply done or not done in respect of things to be done either to excite and incourage or to restraine and bridle in respect of things done well or wickedly to excuse and comfort or accuse and terrifie As for example thus it reasoneth against lying Euery lyar shall be banished from the holy Mountaine of the Lord and barred out of the new Ierusalem as the Synteresis from Psal 15. and Reu. 21. supplyeth the proposition But I haue thus and thus lyed for aduantage as the conscience of the lyar telleth him making the assumption Therefore I shall be banished from the holy Mountaine of the Lord c. A conclusion full of terrour And as the liar is thus of his sinne and punishment due vnto the same conuinced So the vpright liuer on the other side may thus by consciences-reasoning be comforted Euery one that desireth in heart and indeuoureth in life to walke vprightly before God and men shall rest in Gods holy Hill But I as the conscience of the godly man telleth him doe thus desire and indeuour to walke vprightly Therefore I shall rest in Gods holy Hill A conclusion full of life and consolation God grant vs such consciences as may inable vs to make such conclusions To this principall end haue my poore indeuours in this ensuing Discourse been especially directed wherein because I know this age to be full of science penurious of conscience and Gods schoole to be more of affection then vnderstanding therefore haue I the lesse studyed by variety of choyce doctrines to giue edge to the iudgement accounting it more necessary to be instant in exhortation and frequent in the vse and application of some few pregnant poynts for the whetting vp of the will and affection to holy duties and warming of the heart with liuely deuotion in the practice of Christianity Glad I would be If I could but bring a pin or two towards the decking of Christs Spouse whilest others out of their abundance adorne her with costly Robes and rich ornaments Howsoeuer it be I haue done my best by the assistance of his grace to the praise of his glory and according to the nature of my Text haue often and earnestly pressed vpon Christians this necessary duty of expressing in their conscionable conuersation the sauing power of inward sanctimony and the truth of a sound conuersion aiming here and there and euery where generally at this that the slumbring conscience might be awaked the erronious better informed the tender confirmed the sad and heauie comforted and all some way or other benefited Which benefit of my vnworthy labours if any any way haue obtained let the goodnesse of God be duly glorified and praised and in their best vowes and prayers for the family of the faithfull let me his vnworthiest seruant be remembred In hope hereof I rest theirs and Thine in the Lord Iesus to be commanded RICH. CARPENTER THE CONSCIONABLE CHRISTIAN Preached at Charde March 4. The Text Acts 24. 16. And heerein or in this therefore doe I indeuour my selfe to haue alwayes a cleare or inoffensiue conscience towards God and men RIGHT HONOVRABLE IF it be sufficient to accuse who shall bee innocent Not Saint Paul himselfe though neuer so faithfull in his function neuer so sincere and vpright in his conuersation Wee finde him as many times elsewhere so heere in this Chapter called in question for his life and doctrine too before Felix the Gouernour and at once accused of both and abused in both by Tertullus a mercenary Oâ—â—â—our who making bâ—â—â—attery his Rhetoricke and bold lying his Logicke beginning with the one and concluding with the other layeth to Saint Pauls charge no maruell then if zealous Ministers taste of the same cup in this last and worst age that hee was a pestilent fellow a moouer of sedition a maintainer of sects and a polluter of the Temple To all which obiected crimes or rather forged calumnies the blessed Apostle with great patience and no lesse confidence pleadeth not guilty hauing by pregnant reasons powerful arguments refelled those vniust imputations with a victorious grace proceedeth to the ingenious confession of his faith and course of life and thus in effect saith As concerning my Religion bee it knowne that after the way which my aduersaries call heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that only true God with a true heart in a true manner not as man hath inuented but as God himselfe hath in his Word prescribed beleeuing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets especially holding fast this assured hope and full perswasion as the maine Basis and principall pillar of my Profession that the resurrection of the dead shall bee both of iust and vniust and that we shall all appeare in that Day before the a 1. Cor. 5. 10. Tribunall of the Sonne of God gloriously visible in the b Luk. 21. 27. forme of the Sonne of man to render an account and to receiue a reward according to our c Reu. 20. 12. deeds In due regard and serious consideration whereof I doe labour and indeuour my selfe to liue vnblameably and to keepe alwayes a good conscience towards God and men For so it followeth in my Text which being by way of Paraphrase somewhat inlarged offereth it selfe to your better apprehension and vnderstanding in these termes And heerein or in this therefore as reuerend Paraph. Text. Beza a long fixed starre in the firmament of our Church expoundeth it doe I Paul the seruant of the Lord and Apostle of Iesus Christ exercise my selfe earnestly indeuour study and striue as a Runner to the goale a Wrestler for the game a due Tasker and Day-labourer for the appointed wages and gaine To haue to keepe and discharge the Originall will beare it well to haue alwayes in all cases in all places vpon all references and occurrences whatsoeuer through the whole tenor of my life a conscience as Monitor of my duties defects bounties blemishes as moderatour of my desires and affections and vnder God principall Commander of all my thoughts speeches and actions Yea Heereunto fully freely actually punctually doe I bend and extend all my sanctified will wit power policy and all to haue alwayes by all meanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an vpright Note cleere acquitting conscience towards God and men that is a conscience voyde of offence not staggering tripping or fayling any way for matter or manner either
experience well known that for want of knowledge in Gods Booke and of faith in the Gospell offering forgiuenesse of sinnes onely by Christs blood many sottish soules liue in ignorance and darknesse and in the very shadow of death not able to discerne by reason of their blind nature and naturall blindnesse the things which concerne their peace but thinking all religions will saue or a good meaning serue the turne or a Lord haue mercy at last cast be sufficient Alas many a Fly doe these swallow many a sinne vnseene vnsorrowed for doe they digest and in many things do they erre as Christ told the Sadduces Mark 12. because they know not the Scriptures Mark 12. 24. and the power of God The ignorance whereof as Chrysostome noteth is the mother of Chrysost in 3. Coloss all mischiefe and therfore he earnestly exhorteth all secular persons to get them Bibles the physicke of their soules to labour to bee more Iob 22. 21. acquainted with God in his Word that they may grow vp therby in grace and in the knowledge 2. Pet. 3. 13. of our Sauiour Christ without which sauing knowledge and faith grounded thereon which the Hebrewes by an excellency call Shekel Mekodesh sanctifying wisedome the conscience 2. Faith cannot be vpright It is sufficient vnto sin to doe against conscience as Saint Paul in Rom. Rom. 14. Augustine 14. sheweth whereunto that of Saint Augustine agreeth Quicquid sit contra conscientiam aedificat ad Gehennam But it is not sufficient to duty and obedience to doe according to conscience except it bee inlightened and rectified by the Word without which information and illumination conscience often resolues where it should restraine acquits where it should condemn and so erreth and offendeth diuers waies First by an erronious acceptation and entertainment of the lawes fashions and traditions of men for the precepts of God which is the errour of superstition incident to ignorant arrogant Papists who make the Popes Dictates their practicall principles and seeing if they see at al thorow the false spectacles of their purblind guides shew their obedience in those things to wit in the adoration of Images inuocation of Saints meritorious obseruation of dayes and meates and celebration of Pilgrimages and Masses c. for which they can shew no commandement All whose Religion in these and the like poynts of Purgatory of prayer for the dead of satisfactory seruices and sacrifices of their owne inuention may easily be swept away with the Prophets besome Esa Esa 1. 12. 1. Who required these things at your hands Secondly by a vaine assumption of false principles and a misprision of good for euill of euill for good and this is the errour of prophannesse frequent amongst our common people who inlarge their consciences to the vttermost bounds of any pleasure or profit and vnder pretence of not being booke-learned will not suffer their consciences to prooue good Lawyers in Gods Booke but liue in darke corners vnder blind Sir Iohns and so take quid pro quo Chalke for Cheese riches for righteousnesse policy for piety who accounting gaine godlinesse and maintaining bad opinions to iustifie base affections doe hereupon in the errour of their iudgement practise commonly swearing prophaning of the Sabbath Vsury Lying Lottery Legerdemaine without any regret of conscience at all Thirdly by false application of good principles as when from those approued grounds and true propositions Religious adoration is not to be giuen to creatures and likewise Christians haue liberty in things indifferent these vnwarrantable conclusions are deduced Therefore we may not kneele in the Act of receiuing the Communion Therefore we are not bound to obey the Magistrate in things indifferent Which errour of conscience I may call the errour of too much singularity and precisenesse arguing their indiscretion who in their ouerweening curiosity will bee ouer-pleasing God with better deuices then his owne and take vpon them to teach the Spirit to speake according to the consonants of the Alphabet so long till their wit turne to madnes and end in mischiefe as appeareth by the course and condition of Separatists Anabaptists and Arminians at this day For the auoyding of all which errours of superstition prophanenesse and precisenesse let vs heare and obey our Sauiours counsell Search Ioh. 5. 39. the Scriptures Ioh. 5. for they beare witnesse of me the Way the Truth the Life they giue best testimony both of Gods will concerning his own seruice and of his good will in Christ to all his faithfull seruants Let this Word of God dwell plentifully in vs as Saint Paul prescribeth Col. 3. 16. Col. 3. and that not in some but in all wisedome that we may thinke speake and doe wisely in all things And for the better sharpening of our dimmed sight in matters diuine let vs not refuse the eye-salue of our better inlightened guides but gladly accept thereof that so by all these and other good meanes our consciences being rightly informed we may expresse the goodnesse of them by doing or not doing confidently what God hath commanded or prohibited And to this end that our hearts Col. 2. 2 16. may bee comforted and established in euery good saying and doing wee are to lay fast hold on that euerlasting consolation and good hope through grace which the Father hath giuen vs Colos 2. 2 16. and by all spirituall aliments to preserue and cherish that sauing faith in vs whereby we are perswaded that our sinnes are pardoned and God in Christ reconciled to vs. This indeed is the root of a good conscience as hath been already shewed and this Beleeue in Christs blood is the gracious powerfull Word whereby all consciences are now stilled as the Luk. 19. Act. 16. consciences of Mary Magdalen Zacheus Lydia and that Iaylor were suddenly and soundly thereby quieted Now for the cherishing and confirming of this faith the daily exercises of repentance and obedience are requisite and therefore to make vp the vprightnesse of a good conscience wee are in the second place to speake of these ingredients as most necessary thereunto to wit of repentance and obedience Of repentance in mind altering the thoughts from the approbation of sinne of repentance in heart sorrowing for the committing of sinne of repentance in mouth reprouing and controlling sin of repentance in the whole man remoouing whatsoeuer is knowne to be amisse and bringing forth fruits of amendment of life c. This is a worke impossible to nature without grace and so slow in the working of grace through the contradiction of our nature that howsoeuer many professe it yet few practise it but being rightly practised it will make such a diuision betwixt our persons and our sinnes that by the repairing of the Image of God more and more in vs we shall haue comfortable furtherance in the way to saluation This therefore must not be wanting to him or scanting in him that desireth a good conscience For where
there is no true repentance there is no true faith no true faith no true Christ no true Christ no true remission of sinnes no true remission of sinnes no true peace of conscience grounded vpon the assured sense and inward feeling of the same But rather the grace of Christ redeeming the loue of the Father electing and the comfortable fellowship of the holy Ghost quieting the conscience is farre off from them which continue in their sinnes and stand out as rebels in their disobedience against God The rule is ancient and true Bona conscientia Aug. non stat cum proposito peccandi a good conscience cannot stand with a purpose of sinning or with irresolution against sinne but is armed thorowout with a resolute determination wittingly and willingly to sinne no more accounting it a mockery to cry Peccaui and mourne for sinnes past with a meaning to sinne againe in the like yea a most ridiculous folly like to the Shipmans continuall labouring at the pumpe without any care to mend the leake Wherefore as we desire to liue in the lawfull peace of an vpright conscience so let it be our chiefest care to inure our selues to the practice of repentance and obedience The practice of which to speake briefly of them ioyntly consists not in pretending as the manner of many is a good heart without fruits of amendment for that is but vanity or in making some outward shew of reformation without purging the heart and affections for that is but hypocrisie or in exchanging of sinnes to wit of prodigality or prophanenesse in youth for couetousnesse and Popery in age for that is but irreligious mockery But in an inward lothing from the heart and an outward leauing in the course of our life of all such knowne sinnes wherein we haue formerly liued and delighted and also in an earnest desire of the heart and constant indeuour in our life and conuersation to practise all duties of piety charity which in our seuerall places and callings are required T is not sufficient to put off the old man to cast away the weapons Eph. 4 22. of darkenesse and to abhorre and remooue Col. 3. 10. what is euill but we must put on the New man Rom. 13. take vnto vs the Armour of light and cleaue to Rom. 12 9. that which is good T is commendable with the repentant Prodigall to forsake our former riotous Luk. 15. luxurious and offensiue liuing and to returne to our Fathers home for this mends the matter but it is much more comfortable and complete after the shaking off of the ragges of sinne to put on the robes of Righteousnesse and Garments of Saluation for this perfecteth the match and accomplisheth the marriage betwixt Christ and vs and heereby shall we giue testimony to others and to our selues and our owne soules that we are penitent and obedient Christians and so bring wonderfull peace and comfort to our consciences For when a Christian inriched with these spirituall graces of true knowledge and faith shall thus proceed in the carefull practice of these holy duties of repentance and obedience then his conscience which otherwise would looke sterne vpon him begins to smile to speak sweetly to him to conuerse amiably with him to clap him on the backe applaud him exceedingly exhilarate and refresh him To which purpose S. Bernard speakes excellently Vis O Bern. homo semper epulari vis nunquam tristis esse benè viue Wilt thou O man neuer be sad wilt thou turne the whole yeere into a merry Christ-tide liue well then Fiat iustitia saith Saint Austin Aug. habebis pacem Eschew euill and doe good Psal 34. 13. and thou needest not seeke peace and ensue it Psal 85. 11. Psal 34. for peace will finde thee and kisse righteousnesse wheresoeuer shee finds it Doe Iustice loue mercy humble thy selfe and walke with thy God as Enoch did Gen. 5. doing all things as in Gods sight For this is the direct Micah 6. 8. way to the obtaining and maintaining of a conscience comfortably good the voyce of ioy and Psal 118. 15. deliuerance shall be in the Tabernacles of the righteous saith the Psalmist and the worke of Esa 32. 17. Iustice shall bring peace and quietnesse Esa 32. and it cannot be otherwise but that Melchisedec the King of righteousnesse which walkes sincerely should also be Prince of Salem and walke confidently peaceably securely Synceritas Serenitatis Isiod mater est sine qua tranquillitas omnis tempestas est Sincerity is the mother of true tranquillity and without it all carnall rest is as a dangerous Lethargie Sincerity as it is of all vertues the girdle and most acceptable to God Eph. 6. 14. whose vnfained obedience it implyeth so it is most profitable in all dangers trials and temptations to man whose peace it worketh and in whom it begetteth a Lyon-like boldnesse as Salomon speaketh The righteous is as bold as a Pro. 28. 1. Lyon This cannot be put out of countenance by the false accusations of slanderous tongues it throweth them off as Paul did the Viper from Act. 28. 5. his hand vnhurt This saith with Saint Paul I passe not for mans iudgement 1. Cor. 4. and 1. Cor. 4. 3. Iob 31. 35. with Iob Though mine aduersary would write a Booke against mee I would take it vpon my shoulder and binde it as a crowne vnto mee What made Iob so confident Surely it was the vprightnesse of his heart his sincere obedience and innocency which he saith he will hold fast Iob 27. 6. and not forsake lest his heart should reprooue him and his conscience trouble checke him Vse Wherefore as hee that will saile safely must looke as well to the balast of his Ship as to his sailes So if you will saile safely in the Ship of a good conscience to the Port and Hauen of heauen you must not onely looke that there bee soundnesse in your knowledge and faith which are as sailes hoysted vp to make foorth for the prize but also that there be sincerity in your repentance and obedience which are as the soules balast to moderate her pace lest shee dash against the Rocks of presumption and to this end vse that safe and sauing method by a learned Father prescribed When thou art Aug. tempted to sinne set before thee the weight of sinne the wound of conscience the wrath of God which is as a flaming fire and remember Rom. 2. that tribulation and anguish shall be vpon euery soule that sinneth Rom. 2. And let this be vnto thee a strong bridle and retentiue from vice and againe when thou beginnest to bee weary and drowzy in Gods seruice thinke vpon the blessed recompence of well-doing and consider that to them which by continuance in doing well seeke glory and honour there shall be giuen eternall life and immortality and let this be a sharpe-pointed spurre and motiue