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	/tf/37

THE

COVRT OF

CONSCIENCE:

O £,

JOSEPHS BRETHRENS

IVDGEMENT B A R R E.

*'i

Thomas Barnes.

2- Cor., i. i2.

fiuncc, thatmfmflicitie and godly fine rutty &c, * JJ

ThegHilmefcof the confine is themoth* if pare. Chryfoft.

pp

lONDON, *5

Printed by I0HN Davvj f ^

theStarvnderSt.p„,„churchin M9- l6ii'y

TO THE RIGHT

WORSHIPFVLL W i a i a m tows* Sergeant at Law, one of His Mai b s t i i $ Iufticc of Peace in £ffex : As aifo to the Right Worfhip- fall, the Lady Rathekine

8ARNAIlDlST0N,hlsbcl0UCd

Wife, both my much refpeded friends.

The Author wimeth the

Wcffiags of this life at»4

the next.

Right VSTorship* vll,

■\ one of the a f<*-c*/k».D«*

j j , —,m fmt tiki te- thers, m an bptjtle */*>#,«#

to ene of btsJftaiuMj

fr'temh : TWoJw'/Ti

J tertfyfitm*

things arc rieedfull for thee, w** t

& ....... - v proxwmm>

Az

con-

froxtmwb

The EpifHc <confcience,and credite, coat

facnceforthyfelfe, credite tor thy neighbour. And not Without rtafonjpake he this ■ for fa one is an inward Tbitnefe, the other giuesan outward tejitmony of our doings, the one ferns to breed in- ward confolation, the other to bring outward commendation 'But not- "withjlanding thenecefsitieofboth, yet the beft of the two is leajlregar- ded\ the fhilofophers faying being gg^MdfrMtt "Many feare their rimquef*. credite, but few. their con- fi^JZ' ^teiice. Soitfared(asitfeemes)

zr w'fthff tmfmm 6fMy Iac°*>>

Mo did mfufi his beloved Io- %h : So they might hide that ■frrong they did their brother, and hie their credite mth their father,

- little

Dedicatorie. little cared they (mill diftreffe 4- "baked them) hoTp matters flood m the Court Mthin tlxm. So alfo it fares -Kith the Secret finners, anddmil liners of our Jayes. . To foepe their name good amort? ft men they are Very curious, but to haue a cleere •fritmjfe in their ewne conference, they are nothing fiudieus. That this euill might befommhat helped, this Treat fe haue I com* pled; wkrein myfeope is to brim men to a care of their Confcf ences as Bellas their names, know- ing the one to be as needfullto cleere tbem from blame before the 'Barre of hauen, as the other to keepe them from flame amongft men. *» (if Salomon Jaith true) A 3 though

the Epiftic though a good name be bet- ter then a precious oynt-

fiEccl7.I#mentc- Vet, Agoodconfci- ence is a continuall ban-

'Prou. i^.quet d. If any one aske the rear

1 5# fm °f l^ts "9 ^ : nV reafm ** n>o-fold. Firft, hecaufe confeience

is fearefull in accufing. Second- ly y hecaufe confeience it faithfull in recording? which two things (a- mongU others, according to the tenour of the text) are principally and moft U)gely handled in this Tmttft Andgoondefireallmay doe in, and to the f/raelof God.

7 'o your Worfhips I thought good to dedicate the fame: though wor- thier papers were fitter for your fa* tronag. If 1 were noteonfident oj

accept

jl/ vui<~ a iw i iw<

acceptation : Ifhould net pre/urns toprefent you Vttbit, Albeit, in- deede it had beenefji that my firfl friends , footdl haue had my firjl fruits 3 yet I hope my fxond pub- like labours in this kinde, will not be yiitoelcctoe. Howfoeuer , ) owe them, your Worfhips Vndeferued fauows fliowne mee , challenge tie fame, and more at my hands. If you pleafe to youchjafs them the red- ding. 2 doubt not hut you pall finde fomething profitable , though plainly deliueredm an homely flile. If you pleaft to afford them the protection, being fofimple and f mall as they are, youfhall get me into fir onger bonds, continually to wifh to both your Worv fhips^hat Ionn did on the behalfe

of

ilieupmic&c.

eftbe Eka Ladic, «*/ %•

Wf Gaius , <?«e/t to your foidtx: •U0&.,. Grace, peace and metric11:

to your bodies health andpro£ jioh. ».perkief: Forwhichhe promifetb

to pray , W?o «

Your Worfliips at commandjin and for the Lord.

•

Thomas Barnes.

The Table of the fir ft part.

<~i# Themean'mg^^.l*

» r

8 8.?

y.Theoccafo that brought y /^/w in , /*» ^ /Ai/ word ANB> wherein.

1 iJVhatman-

\ ner of per Jons

11

8 3?

«i O O 8

i. 7**

meaning.

a. 77^2,

/>**/>. pag.8.

r i. Reproofe. pag. 12.

bright vfe of affi» 2.Exhor.x)ato"-P/1^ iationtwo-r}2'7o*ePat"»* fold, ftn <##"*. p.

r.y.Whygodaf- \flittcth his peo» $> Infer- \ple,jp.iy. mationof <^2. That God by 2. thmis^/affiiSion will

Ihaue glorie from the reprobate, Lpagc 1 8.

S (thwfdl /

"\, Proofe. pag. 2 u

2, An obie- Uion twfrve- red,pzg.2$.

r L Co>iftrtatie».pag. 3 1 « 2. C^/4//V*.pag.35,

3,Terrfi*rri4 To get a pag. 42.

4.Z7A-^r-?

lcrs iwrtf, «V^ Tcxt.jremoatedtp. /to get and J 4 W. iheyfaid 'Thatt6.f26. >«4«*wS<a.

onetoano thcr, where

Science accufech.

whercm

4. Vfefoure

\foll

good confei' ence, and to be cured of

Pag-

p >pagood}*Q,

confcience^) 1 , To keepe a p g.47. \g°°d cenfet* where <?r< ence9 and to aljofet ! be kfpt from, dowve Ian euill.paig^ ht /pes, f^2.

THE

COVRT 0£

t ON SCIENCE:

lOSEFHS BRETHRENS IVDGEMENT

BARR&

GEN.42.21.

Andthey [aid one to another ^ Wiare venly guilty concerning our bro- ther^ in that wefaw theanguifl) cf hisfouley when he bejought vst and we would not hear el therefore is this diftrejje come vpW Vf*

O X tO trouble yO^wfth Thefume^

. any tedious Preface :*n/£copc

this Scripture being Tex*.'

giucii by infpiration

(as all diuine Scripture is,) and

written for our learning, dotfo

B com-

2 Ihe Qowt

comprehend in it a Iudiciall aft of Diuine prouidence, in bringing to iudgemcnc that lame mifchieuous fatf: committed by ten of Jacobs fonnes , againtt lofeph their inaor cent,and harmelefle brother. Thediyi- In which ad (as it ordinarily fon- fallesout in Iudiciall cafes,) two circumftances offer themfelues to ourconfideration.

i. TheaccufersatthisBarre. 2. Theaccufationitfelfe. The firft is laidc downe in the beginning of the verfe. And they fail one to another. The fecond in the claufe of the verfe, we are veri- ly gmLtie concerning our brother , in that we Jaw the anguijb of hisfoule, when he be fought vs , and we would not hear e , therefore is this dittrefje come vf on vs. m SiL Touching the firft (which wee vided and muft firft handle) we may note two inters particulars . Firft the occafion that

niooued

of Ccnfcience.

Mooued the accufcrs to come in.* Secondly, theperfbns, who thefe accufcrs were.

Theoccafion is gathered out of the precedent verfes, and coupled to the text by this particle , fo that in this one word AND> theoccafi- on is intimatedjwhich ftands thus.

A great dearth in Jacobs dayesy raigncth in all the lands about E- gypt: And (as it is the lot of Gods deareft ieruants , to be common fharers with other in common ca- lamities) that good old father with his whole family was pinched with it, as well as other places. At which pinch, hearing of a great Corne-mafter in Egypt(little thin- king ic hadbecnehisfonne/^A, for whom he had laide afide his mourning weede fo longagoe) he calles his ten fonnes vnto him, commands them to haftcn into E- gypt,tothis man: to buy and B z bring

4 Tk* Court

bring home fome foodc for his houihold. At his command, thi- ther theyfpeede themfeluesj whi- ther, no iooner were they come, but this Gofrcrnow (their brother Iojefh , whom they had once mi£ uied , though neuer dreaming it fliouldbehec) fcemes (in an holy ?Vcrfc* policietovfc them harlhly,achar- gerh them to be Spies , would not ^VcrCio, accept of the b Apologie they *s> * *» 'Mnadefor thcmfelues,putteth thena cVcrf.i7. into Ward three dayes, ° would not fuffer them to goe home with corne (for which they came ; but on condition, that one of them (hould remainchis prifoner, vntill the reft went honje and fetcht their brother BenUmin^ (whom

to him4.

Thefe brethren meeting with this harfh and vnexpe&cd enter- tainment, begin to be fomewhat

troc-

o/Qn/cience. y

troubled in their mindes, and each one by his countenance (as it is ]ikely)conie6tiiring, andgueffing a: i he di&urbed* motions in ano- ther minde, by rcafon of thefe firaights, fall to that parley a- rnongft themfelues,which is recor- ded in the prefent text. Now then Thcfel&re if any (ha!! asfce, wherefore thisoftnew^ wero [And~] ferues in the begin- ***** ningof the text , when as there is no ienrence before, to be fitly ioy- ued to this fpecch. I anfwer*, though it doth not ioyne words . and ientenees,or fentenceandfen- tence together : yet it coupleth minde and mouth , fore-going thoughts, and follow words , im- plying that fuch thoughts asarofe in their minds about lofephs vfage of them, gaue thcoccafion, and produced thofc words of accufati- on which the text hath in it. So is the oceafion : The parties who B ; brought

6 The Court

brought in theaccufation(in theft 9 2 , words , laeyfaid one to another J you vnderftand aiready,to be the tcnne fonncs of Jacob, fttjah, Simeon , Leuiy Dan. and the reft, each ones proper confcience by^this occafi- on, bringing in a ieuerali indite- ment againft himfelfe , for the wrong formerly offered vnto lo- feph.

Hence then wc haue two leiTons to take forth.

# I. Thtt afflictions are of notable vfe to awake the wnfeience, and make a manconfeffe his faults.

2. That an euili confcience is an acenfmg confcience.

For the firft, it is as plainc in the

Voct. i. text< as y°a would with.

Diftrefie' Thefc brethren of fofefh, ha-

ionH minv Uing ^^ m°fl v*naturally With

cimwt^uch Wm their brother ., lay a fteepe in of Confci. that finne of theirs, (o long as the coSl dayofprofperitie lafted* without

tfgnnes. any

of Qonfcience. y

any compun&ion of conference for it, without making any confef- fion of it : But now when they fee themfelues in great diftrefle, pin- ched with penury at home 3 vfed hardly abroad, where they hoped for the fupply of their wants,thruft into prifon, charged falfely to bee fpies, could not(in their own thin- king) be bclceued, when they de- fend themfelues; now I fay that they perceiue themfelues in thefe ftraits, they begin to buckle, the confeience is pricked, and the fault is confefled mutually a- mongft themfelues ; which before (as it is like) they were more ready to laugh at, then grieue for. Put a malefa&or deferuedly vpon the A fmsik racke, and you (hall get that from him in confeffion , which other- wile he purpofed neuer to haue re- uealcd. So let but affliftions racke the body many times, finne will B 4 tacke

$ %fo Court

rackc the foule, and the tongue will confeflethe guiltinefleof the heart. Examples, both of Elcft, and Reprobate, mgy be produced ibrtheprpofepfthis.

Fjrft, concerning the EIe&,how

a/Bi&ions haue thas wrought

with them, tjie example of ionxh

doth decide. §p IpBg as he was

Jet alone, hedifobeyed thevoyce

of God, fled from the face of God,

and flept fpiritually in the bottomc

pf hi$ finne , as corporally in the

bottpmeof the fhippe, but when

the Lord ffioofc the fliippc wherein

he was, with the violence of the

winde; threatned prefent deflru-

flion to him , and ail thofe that

were with hin> in the ihippe ,• then

lie could Cry our,and conieije , for

,j ia wvfekejormy finne ^ this great ttm-

^z.chrlhjtfi V vpon yiu*. Memorable and

|i. from not vnjkno wne, is thefiory of Ma-

tg^**/'* : * Who in the time of his

{/ profpe-

of Confdence. profperity, raigningin hispompe, rebelled agaiml the God of hea- uen, reared vp the Altars of Baal, madegroues toworfnp t hew hole Hoft of ' bexuen, faenficed his children U Moloch, ohferued times \v fed inchanU ments , followed witch-craft , dealt yoith familiar fpirits > wrought much euill him f elf em the fight of the Lord, made bis fubie its to erre, and to doe worfe then the heathen * And Co long as his peace lafted , wee doe not rcade tlw euer he confeiTcd one of hisabhoaiiRatiQnsto God, or to man, in token of any rcmoriefor thefarac. But when the Lord brought the Cap tames of the Hoft of the King tf djjfyria vpon him , who toohe him among the t homes , hound him with fetterSyCarried him into Babylon, and when he was thus in afpefion jhen he could be fetch the Lord , humble him- felfe before the God of his fathers, and pay vntohim \ andfo by confequent

make

*o 77*? Qourt

makecohfcffion of his finnes be- fore him. Davids mouth hall alfo 'Pfaljz. teach this truth. c Pfal^2. Dayand ™gkt {faith hee in the j.verfe) thy band was heavy vpon mee^nd markc what followcth in the 5. verfe. / acknowledged my fwne vnto theey mine iniquitie did I net hide. Yea' affliaion will moouethemindes' and extort confeffion from the mouthes of Reprobates alfo. The the thunder and haiie. and Judge- ment oflocuHs vpon Egypt, can make Pharaoh himfeifetoconfejfejnd fey, I hauefmned this time, the Lord *Excd.9 2Sri&hte°l*Si> J^nd my people are wic- a7< ked i I hwe finned againsf the Lord

'CHj.io. your God7and againfi you*. The ve- **• ry newesand tydings of affliction

to come, vpon Ahab, his wife, and pofterity, can make Ahab, {though he were one, that fold him f elf e to work

* mckedneffeinthe fight ofthe Lord) ycteuentorendhiscloathesjut facke-

* doath

of Qnfcience.

flctth vfon his ftefe, fafl a#A gdefoft

ly^ i*ndconfe(/e his inimitie : Info- ' i.King.n

v* • J JJ 1 c from the

much, that we may truly lay or a %u yezCto great many , that their dayesofaf- the 28. jfli Aion are their s birth-dayesof con- **%*£%

fefsioft. L de fatten.

And good reafon for it* for why t • *•»•«*« • affii&ions in themfclues arc frqits ^^^/^ of finnc .• had not finne entred in- ' ' to the world, neither could diiea- ics, diigraces, poucrties,captiuity, ' crofles, and lofles, haue befallen raortall man, but finne oucr-fprea- ding all,and fo afflictions, as fruits of (inne, being incident vnto all > 1 when men are vnder affli&ion, they will acknowledge their uani- grefflons, as the caufe of the lame.

Secondly, afflictions, as one z^eajon calks them, are a prafticalllawN ^£1 " Now without the hvt3Simie is dead, ioz9.Jffi- not perceiued, as the Apoftle fpca- ^™%Jf£c4 keth,' But when the law commc-th, i^oX/^l is when a fcnje of Gods wrath is

ftirred

i* The Qm

Aimed yp in vs, not onely by the preaching of the law, butalfoby affliaions, then fume reuiuethy as thefame Apoftlefoeweth, is felt and called to minde , which being recorded , is alfo confeiTed. For though the confeffion of fin doth not alwayes follow the remem- brance of it, yctthcremembrance of it, doth alwaies goe before the acknowledgement of it.

What occaiion to complaine, doth this point offer vs , of the fcnfelefnefle andftupidiryofthofe who lye vnder the burthen of affli- ct**1011*' hauing the hand of God tffliftion. vpon them moftgricuoafly,fotne in their bodies , fomc in their name, fbme in their cftate, fome- timespofitiuely excreffed with the prefence of Judgements , fome- times priuatiuely vifited with the depriuation of outward benefits, and yet all will not auaile to worke

vpoj?

Vfe i.

Reproofe of thofe that arc faCddte

ofConfciwt. 13

typon their confidences , and to Kiake them contefle their fmncs, acknowledge their abhorainati- ons before the Maieflie of heaucnj Nay, they will rather iuftifie them- felues, as if they Were wronged by God,and had notdeferued iuch fe- uerity of punifhment. How, or howdoch affli&ion loofe its force in them I how vnufefgll is the day of aduerfitie, to luch fenfelefle ones I it is a figne that that man is of a defperate difpofition , and in a defperatc condition , whom troubles and croffesjWhich are ma- ny for the number, weightie in meafure,not light in qualitic, not (mall inquafttitie, canworkeno contrition; can, wring no con- feffion from. ThU is that which imde the Lord , ib pathetically in the mouth of one of his Prophets, cxpoftulate with the hard-hearted and rebcll iou-s Israelites M/byfbould

y**

14 The Qmrt

yee beflricken any more ? yet the mor& If mite youjhemorcyonfinne agatnfl * wee : as farrc as I can fee ; as bene- fits cannot draw you to contriti- on, no more can my rod bring you toconfeffion. In another Propftct, thus he Ipeakes. In vuine hwe I [mitten your children , they receiued i ierm.*, no corresiion \ What an heauy cafe 3©. is this, that this, euenthis, brings

God into fbeh controuerfie with -HoCmj. hisowne people, whom by-extcr- * g*Cbro21, naH priuiledges, hee had viiibly «sJt]inif. married vnta himfelfe? WhatT r.i^.gj./wnot inaduerfitic feeke the Lord"? f^!ZcZ>'h^ in diftrefle (with Afoz,)yet lertbu* mo- more and more n trefpaffe and tref- %vr*' paffe again B himl well might one fay Exhortati- °b vnhappy perfonsjfthomftripes mol- onto bee life not °. Weil may I fay; Not hap-

toUmakef°r PY ^Y wh°ra troubles mooqe coafeflion not to lay open their fin nes, in the ofmfinnein fight ofthe Almigh tie. *Farreoh Sidio/ ~ ftrre be it from Vs (Beloued) to be

ofConfcience. ir*

fo ftupid. .Perlonallafflidions vp- on fome of vs: Generall vpon flioft of vs; The Itrcarae of our coyne wc complaine runnes low, our cornc growes deare, markets bad , the eartha denies her ioizon vnto vs 5 & more eminent plagues then theie(by all probabilities)are imminent ouer vs5and like to vexc vs, and (hall noneofthefe3 not all of theleworke vpon vs, andpre- uailewithvs, to confefle to God what isthecaufc of thefe tragical! prologues, theie beginning of (br- rowes ? prouoke we our feluesto this duty ? Jearne wee as the Pro- phet aduifeth vs, to take words vnto curfelues?, and iay , Lord wee bane? Hof4i4,2, fmned againB thee , and fallen from thee by our wiquitie. Oh let not Pharaoh rife vp in Judgement a- gainft vs : Propound we the pat- terne of thefe brethren my text Ipcakes off, vnto our JeJues. As

diftreffe

i£ The (hurt

diftreffe moouedthem, Co lcfdfc ftreflempouc vs to acknowledge^ how diflionourably we haue dealt with the Lord, how iniurioufly with our brethren, howftrangcly wee haue negle&ed the day and raeanes of ialuation,< how ftrong- ly we haue affe&ed the way and meanes of damnation. Whence tafteof the bitterneffe and fharpe- neffe of the fruite, looke we to the bicter tree whereon it growes with watry eyes* and fotrowfull fpirits^ Mourne not Co much for the crofle, as the caufe of it : talke not' Co much of the trouble , as the groundof it, which are thy fmnes and thy tranfgreffions* If affli&i- ons worke not vpon thy confer- ence to make thee contrite , in foule, and Willing toconfeffethy finnestoGod? what will; whatfo- euer therefore the diftreffe be, ei- ther for the quality,degreeo? time

of

ohjcteHce. *7

&f it that thou lyeft vndcr , make but this wholefome vfe of it to thy foule, at length to rnourneforthy finnes at Iaft , to acknowledged^ abhominations without any more adoejet a word preuaile with thee, and the Lord bleiTe it that it may. As mans neceffity is Gods oporcu- nity to lhew mercy ; So thy aduer- ficie , is thy opportunitie, to con- fefle thine iniquity and deplore thymifcry* which if thou docft negledl, what knoweft thouwhi- thereuer thou lhalt hauc the like call, the like occasion againe. Wherefore I trow it is beft hum- bling a mans felfr, whenheisbeft fitted for it* and neuer fitter is hee, then in time of aduerfitie.

Thirdly, hence we lee one rea- vfe j, i'on,why the Lord affli&s his owne children , it workes contrition in them , it workes confefflon from them , two things wherewith the C Lor<t

i8 Ibe (jurt

Lord is greatly delighted. Where- fore wh«n yeefec Christians bare and needy , and to wane thofe things which others hauein great abundanceotherwifevifited,ceafe tomarueileatic, theLord Jouesco haue their conferences kept wa- king , and rhcir tongue kept wal- king againlt iheir owne finncs be- fore him; and he knowesproipe- , ritie to be a great entrance to ei- ther of thefe , and very dangerous to lull confeience , and tye vp the tongue , and therefore hce giues them a Michaiahs portion , feedes i i,King. them with * bread of afflitfion> and **->7> * water of aduerfitie: andbleflcdbc God that by any dealing of his (how tedious focuer to the flefh) they may be kept with remorfefull hearts, and ready tongues to ac- knowledge their daily infirmities before his Maieftie. Tfe 4, Fourthly, doeafHi&ionsworke

ypon

of Qnfcknce* ip

vpbn the conference, and produce confeffion , cuen fomctimes in the wicked chemfelucs, then we may fee that the Lord wiil haue glory from the wicked , he can make an Akibyz?h&rA$h) &c. togiuevnto himthepraileof his bwneiuSicc, and to confeflb that he is righte- ous and they wicked, and that there is no iniufticc in him f deale hencuerfo rigoroufly with them.

Laftly.this point ought to heofP/i f/f* vfe to arme vs, againfl murmuring ift the time of affli&ion , and to teach vs with' all patience to vn- dergoe thofe troubles, which the Lord in his wifedome doth lay vp- on vs. Shall wee grudge at that which may bring fiich gaine vnto thefoule? which (by Gods Mcf-*^^ fing) may be of vfe to awake our TJutflT drowfie conferences, and ftirreour Mxgftrd* lame tofcgues to that confeifion ^^j^ which r one calles the miftrtfe rfrbij^K C z vcrtuiy

20 The Qoutt

<vertue> a guide in the way to felicity r, without which (as Salomon fhew- cth) a man cannot finde mercic at the hands of God \ God forbid we fhouldbe impatient for this, fall out with Gods prouidence for <u quip- this f. Wherein I prav,doth a wife

%%T and g°od m™ diffcr 'from wickcd vir* waIu, men and fooles , but onely in this,

TiZfffat tloat ^ee hat** ti)Xt f*tunct wfjicf} a vifiquod * fwle wants. IV e finde (in Scripture)

habet inyi- that the Patriarchs, ProphetsxandaU

lmZmq«A theiuP f**> ™hich ?f" tifP ***fi-

fluktcartnt.gstres of Chrifi , did keepe nothing tatian Dt more to ffo praife 0f their vertuts.

'pen cult*. . i . iiii > . ? -

M.6.C4. is. then thts^ they had learned patience K 1 OP?. <u As, therefore (bcleued) we pray, thy f£J*!Z wiflfo Aw,folctvsrefoluc,wc will Mmmus impatiently fubmitvnto it, knowing »qm qr tha t it we poffefTe our fowlcs in pa- ^cbll&i ticnce5 much good will redound DocJ. 2.vnto vs.

An cuiii J Icaue the firft point, and come i^nlT vntotheiecond. That an emU con- Urf Jaensc

ofConfctence. %x

fcience hath an accufwg office. This truth hath its ground thus. Thefe ten fonnes of Jacob had an cuill confeience, guiltic of wrong done to their brother l$fephy and now (vpon occafion of fomediftrcfFc) it accuicth them , it articleth a- gainft them. What meaneth the trembling of Adam at Gods voice in the garden after hee had eaten the forbidden fruite u? What meant « Gen.*. 10 the quaking of F celix at Panics Ser- mon of Temperance and iufttce, and thut§dgem$nttocme *,after he had * A<a ,4 beene incontinent with OrufiUa, **. andplaidethe tyrant ouer his fub- icfts *> What meaneth the per-,^, * picxitieof Herod Afcalonites, v after jia.n*m. he heard of the birth of Chrift, l¥6*'x'+ who (as he thought) was like to *So e„M. put him befide his throne J whatcaII« tea. meanes the fearc which Herod theg^/* foxe had, that /*£* the Baptift was ' atUM: fifcn from the dead , after he had C \ vijiuft-

%z The (jurt

vniuftly taken his head away from .•Mark. & him* 5 whatmeane (Uay)allthefc, i<v and the like examples it it were not the property, of an, ill confer- ence to acculc a man of the finnes that he cummitteth. Hence it is that Eliphaz, faith to lob. Thewie- ked man feircth all his fates , the found of trembling is alwaies in his -lob if, ear/sK And doth not the Apoftle i0t fpeake of ^n accufing property which the confcicncehath, in the fecond chapter of the Romanes atthei5.verfei>

Reafcn* An<* l^€ grQu^ of this ^°"

flrine I take to be laide downc in

the beginning of that verfe, where

it is faid that cucn the Genwlcs

haue the worke of the Law writ-

*ib£/»/?.w ten in their hearts.

■*•«!•/• **7- jgow 0f theLaw,xhereisatv;o-

te^JupUx fold worke) (asb Brentius obfer-

*ft •/>"» ueth,) The worke of fulfilling it,

HST* the workeofjenowkdge, the latter

of

of Confeience. zz

of which two the Apoftle mea- neth in chat place.Now this vvorlcc of knowledge, is to diftingui(h be^ twixt good and bad, thing* honcft anddiihoncft, which workeeuea the wickedeft hauc by nature in- grauen in their hearts: forinfome meafure they know what is honeft and to be done, whatisdiftioneft and not to be done, when they then ftall leaue that which they know they muft doc, and perpe- trate that which they know they muftnotdoe, muft not their con- ; fcience needes accufc them, and condemnethemj

Peraduencure againft this truth Qljrffc fosne will obie&the experience of our times, thatwefeeforthemoft part, the lewdeft and vngodlieft perfons haue the leaft heart-fmarc, the moft quiet. Therefore,an euill confeience is not in all , an aepu- tlng confeience. Vnto which I C 4 aafwerj

24 Ike Qurt

Anfw. i. anfwer : firft, with Bemiras diftin- « Cited b ^i°nCchac therein a twq foldeuill

Uemmgus y Quiet,

sj»ug.i6i confeienee «) and

161. J XT

m*U & C Vnquict.

twqudU, An euill conicience and vnquict, f^^7**' is without all queftion of an accu- sing nature : none denies it. As forancuill confeienee and quiet, that is, when a man is fwallowed yp in the depth of finnc , that hee doth not fo much , as cntertaine one thing about repentance, but blind-folded is lead from one wic- kednefle to another: and them that haue fuch a confcience,the A- * ayniXyvi" poftlecalles* pa 8 feeling, a yet fuch tires. as haue loft all iudgement,or com- d£ph.4. pundion of heart, giucnouer to a *9% reprobate fence. Now this kinde

of eiiill confeienee, though it doth not alwaies execute the a&s of ex- cufing, yetftili ithaththehabite, the quality of accufing : and when

it

of Confeience. 2 5

it comes to be awakened, it will not onely accufe, buc alio torment moil grieuoully, moll intollcrabiy. And as for thofe that hauefucha conlcicnce, they cannot be (aid to bequiet, or at peace properly (as you take peace for the tranquility of the mmde) but raf her to be Ie« core, feared, obdurate and harde- ned: then which nothing can be wor(e,nothing moremiferable. So then when we fee the wickedeit li- tters, to haue (as the word dee- methjthemerrieft liues; itisnot from peace of conlciencc > but from aieared confeience, it is not becaufe their confeience hath no accufmg power,butbecaufeitdoth not alwaies execute us accufing office, for it neuer wants matter to accufe. * For befides, though wee ^ry# fee fuch to hue quictly,and(to our thinking) to be at pcace,yet fecret- ly they may haue a fling within

them,

z& The Com

them, which doth vexe, and mo- left them moft grieuoufly , info- much that Salomons faying may be verified of them .•' in the middeft of laughter, the heart is heauy. Before I come to the vfe : I njuft Queli anfivcr a queftion* And this it is, ^- J ' Whither an accufing confciencc Anfw. b^alwaiesan euillconfcience?To which I rauft giue fatisfaftion by diftinguithing of the accufing power of the confeience: And that is'tobeconfidered in a two- fold refpeft: firft, in regard of the ground of accufing: fecondIy,in regard of the consequents of it.

Firft, for the ground: the con- fciencc dothqecufe either vpona good ground or a falle: vpon a good ground itaccufeth,when be- ing informed truly, either by the light of nature, or the light of grace, of t&flgs to be done or left vndonc, it telleeh a man of his

fault,

of Confcime. 27

fault, in the negleft of the one, in the pra&ife ofc the other, as for example : Daaidkncw by the light of nature , that he (hould doe to o- thers, as he would they (houiddoe to him ,• and that as he would not Jiaueanyman wrong him, qithcr in his wife or life,- fo no more jhoold hee wrong his brother in the fame kindc- he knew alio by the Law of God, that neither mo- ther nor adultery were to be com- mitted, hctre is the, ground: Now vponthis ground his heart (mites him, when Nathan comes to him, hisconfcience teiles him, thathc, jcuen he had finned in wronging hisbrother, bothin his life, and hiswife: in committing murther againft the one, adultery with the .other- Thus did lofefhs brethren? .cohfcienceaccufe them hcere, for doubtlcffe they had learned, that crusty was not to be cxercilcd a-

gainft

28 7he Qourt

gainft a naturall brother; the word and nature had taught them this: and therefore after they had wron- ged him , their confeience accufe them.

Secondly, vpon a bad ground, the confeience accufeth, when an erroneous principle is laid; as for aMalTcprieft to bee accufed and troubled in his minde, fornegle- ainghisMafleand Popilhdeuoxi- ons, or a Lay-papift for perufing the Scriptures, when fs it is not a- gainft the word of God, either to neglefl the one, or perufe theo- ther.

Secondly, for the confequents that doe folio w the accufing of the confeience, they are thefe. Firft, forrow for the offence accufed of, whither itbeomiffiueorcommif- fiue, or for the punifhment which the confeience telles the delin- quent he is Iyable vnto. Secondly,

feare

of Qmfcience. 29

feare cither to commit the like of fence againe, or to vndergoe the puniflimcntdue for that tranfgref- lion. Thirdly, fecuritiearifing ci- ther from the right appeaicment of the confcicncc,or from the per- uerfc flopping of the chcckcs of confcicnce. Now for the dircd an- fwering of the queOion out of thefe premifes , this is that which I haue to lay, that aiwaies an accu* fing confcicnce is not an euiil con- fciencc And this I can make good out of the premilcd difhn&ions. That confcicnce that accufcth vpon a good ground, and telles the offender, hee hath dire&ly

' tranfgrefled the Law of God, and withall produceth the beft of thefc

' confcquent effc&s before fpoken off. That confeience which ftir- feth vp feare to fall into the like finne againe , that worketh godly forrow for the finne committed,

that

3°

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that breedethfecurity in aflurahcc of reconciliation : thatconfciencc, though it accufcth, ycc cannoc properly be termed euill, but ra- ther tendcr,and fqllof remorfcron the contrary, if the confidence bee terrified vpoil Popifh grounds, if after the accufing office of the confciencc; yea, vpon a good ground alfo the partie forrowes more for the panifhment deferucd^ then the finite committed $ if hee fearcrh rather the falling of the punifliment vpon his head , then dafliing himfelfc againevpon the rockeofthefamcor the like finne; And laftiyjfhcgrowethfecureby flopping the mouth, and neglc- fting the checkes of continence, thefeare true frgnes that the con- fcience is euill which accufeth, but if otherwifc the confcicncc may poflibly accufe and yet not be cuill nor vndeanc. This I thought

good

of (bnftience. 31

good to anfwer it comming nc- cejlarily in our way. I will dctcinc you no longer from the vfes which which are.- Forreproofe,comfort? terrour,and.duty. The three for- mer concernefomc,wkh fomcdif- ference definitely, the latter re- fpe&s all without difference inde- finitely.

Firft(Ifay) hcereisagroundof yfe Xi reproofcvntothofe,who haueal- waies matter, and nothing elfe but matter ofaccuiation againft them- felues, within themfelues \ and yet they will ftand vponit, that they haue good confeiences ; one hath matter of accufation within him forhisryor, another for luft, ano- ther for vfury, for bribery, for op- preffion, for other wrongsdoncto his neighbour,another for bearing malice,anotherforlying/alfe wic- nefie bearing, priuie flandering, horrible cruelty \ fhop-theeuery,

whole

2% Tki-Qutt

whofe confidences can cell rherai,> that thusand thus, they decerned iuch and fuch, fo and lo they haue decerned others , at fuch a time they committed fuch a villany : in foch a place ,- fuch impiety ? heere they wrought filthineiTe, there vrt- righteoufneflc, &c. neither were they fo much as eucr mooned for this finnc,they neuer relented for it, neuer repented of it, and yet (I fay) they are of opinion (and will not be beaten from it) that chey haue good and very good confeiences ; when as alas : how can it be, this being true that an c- uill confidence , is an accufwg confeience, and foon the Gther fide, an accufing confeience, for themoft part an euill confeience. What doeft thou man talke of a good confeience , when it i$ al- waieslike the troubled waters ca- lling vpdirt and filthinefle in thine

ownc

oj ^onjaence* 34

owneface; when as i,t is continu- ally ringing apealeof thine abho- minations in chy eare* ? thou a good confeienee; when thou fwea- rcft, lyeft,cheateft , playeft the vn~ mercifull, incontinent, intempe- rate beaft, flandereft thy neigh- bour; fictefi and fpeakeft againft thine owne mothers fbnne , brea- keflGods Sabbaths,defpifcftGods ordinances: It goes againft thy confeienee (as thou rudely profrf- left) to regard a Preacher, or re* fpeft a profeiTor , or walke accor- ding to an holy profeffion* thou a good confeienee I fay ? No no; If indeede, (thy confeienee fmiting thee vpon good ground) thou were but drawne to heartie forrow for thy offences, to an holy feare not to commit them againe, it were fomething ; then thou mighceft be belecued , when thou boafteft of thy felfe as free from an eui]l D cot*-

■->..:

24 ±be Iwrt

confcience \ but othcrvvife , thou

arc to be reprooued for vaine-glo-

oUeff. nous bragging. But I thanke God

I am at quiet in my confcience I

Anfy. Art thou l0 ■ and yct lj^ft in thy finnes ? To much the more fcare- full is thy condition; no Judge- ment to a reprobate ienle,- Oh to be paft feeling, this is moftpitti- full. Saycftthou,thou art at quiet? nay thou deceiueft thyfelfe, thy confcicnce is feared^ neither is thy quiet from hence,becaufe thy con- fciencehath no crime, to lay to thy charge , but becaufe thou wilt not heare thy confciencc fpeakc when it doth accufe thee. It may be, becaufe thou wouldeft make men belceue thou art notguiltic ofthofeeuils, which happily at fome times thou art flung for within thy, felfe , therefore thou fetteft a good face vpon the matter (as fome that lye a dying, fay they

feare

bj (jonjamce. |§

feare not death) when as indeede they feare nothing more; Or put cafe thou fayeft true (a3 I faid) when thou affirmeft , thy rainde is not crazed: the more horror re- maineth for thee againft the time of thine awaking* infomuch^that asDattidCaid, he (hould be fausfied with the light of Gods counte- nance (hining vpon him after hi* riling, thou art like on the other fide to be terrified with the goades of thine owne confeience {pea- king againft thee, at the time of thy rowfing, vnlefle the Lord bee the more gracious vnto thee* I Conclude therefore, it is a great folly (moft worthy of reproofe) in thee,, to thinke thou haft not an e- mil confeience, when thy conuer- fation is vncleane , abounding with noyfome eifils , as matter of iuff accufation againft thee. Secondly, heere is comfort to V(e i* D 2 thofe

36 *M [JMrt

thofechathauc goodconfciencesi their happineffe is vnfpeakeable, their condition moft peaceablc>for iffo be aneuillconicicnccbec al- ways o( an accusing qualitie, then their good confcienceisalwaiesof an exmfing property. Excufing property (I (ay) or quality , for I denic not but a good conicience may and doth exercifc many a time accufing actions. The heart of DaMduaay finite him,for taking away Vrkhs life, for defiling Vru

* 2. Sam, ahs wife e for cutting off the lap of f I's'am Sauls^xmzxit£j for numbring his *X™ Pt0Pie contrary to Gods com- g2,Sam.24niandements, I know Peters con-

idencedid article againft him, for denyingand forfwearing his Lord

* Math. 26, and Mafter h : and there is neuer a 7*« Chriftian but can witneffe with

nice, that his owHe confciencc tels him daily of his daily faylings; yet I fay ,his confidence is not an habi-

cuall

of Qonfcience. yj

tuall accufer, as to doe nothing elfebutaccufe him, or as though it had ndthingehc in itfelfe, but iuft matter of accufacion againft him : this (I fay) he is freed from, which an euill man is not. And rather it hath an accufing power: now for a mans conference to haueanexamnghabiteandq?ja!i- tie, what a fweeteand comforta- ble thing is it? What? freefrom the rerrours ofa tormenting foule? free from the wounds of fpirit, which mortal! ftrength cannot beare? what man can buradmire this? what heart will not exalt and reioyce to feele this ? Oh but I an* 0{?iec? tormented, I am terrified will (the* Forinl poore Chriftian fay,) * I cannot be ^eedeof all fo at peace in myfelfe, as I faine t^a* would be, my confidence is euer troubled. and anone about my cares? Very Anfw. like, if it bee tender, it cannot choofe but foitmuft bee. Perad- D 3 uenturc

.J ?

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ucntpre, thou haft not yet attained vnto that fpiric of adoption, to witnelTe to thy fpiric in that full meafure that thou art the childe of God , happily thou art but yet in the way to attaiue vnto it. It maybe thou woundeft thy confid- ence, by beeing fbmething too yentrous vpon that which thou haft no warrant for, If it be fo-,tben I doe not much meruaile that thou canft not haue that quiet thou doeft defire ; and well will it proue for thee at the laft , that thy con- fidence doth Co fmite thee. But what of this? haft thou nocaufe therefore to reioyce in the good- nefreofthyconicicnce? Thy con- ference accufeth thee vpon a good ground, doth it ? thou feareft the finne m6re then the pyni(hment5 thou forroweft for the offence done /more then for thefcourge due, doeft thou not I thou art wil- ling

of Confeience. ^

ling to beare thy conlcience fpeak, and thou fayeft? Confeience doe thine office^ by the grace of God I will not checke thee , nor Jloppe vp mine ewesAgairJl thee\ thou art careful! ro haue thy confeience pacified by the right meanc,eucn by chcaflu- rance that through Chrift his blood, thou art purged from the finne which thy confeience fmi- teththee for, art thou not? If yea* then know thou to thy comfort, that though thy confeience (when there is reafon for it) doth execute forae accufing a&s againft thee,yet habitually itwillproouetobecan excufer of thee.Wherefore doe not thou by this cauill cheate thy felfc of the comfort that belongs vnto thee. If thy confeience beat ods with thee vpon fome good ground, giue all diligence to get itappeafed with the aflurance of Gods loue, and cad not do wne thy P 4 fclfe

4o The Court

felfe out of meafure,as if thy cofci- cnce had nothing elie but matter to accufc thee oft. And to encreafe thy comfort vpon this ground, meditate thou of the benefits of an excufing conference : as name-

Jtlun*' ,y,firft an cxcufingcoufcience will rxcuimg" anfwer and out-weigh ail theac- confeience. cufations for finne, and fuch and

$£l* fuch aas,of fin as ca« ^ brought W«r qu£ in to .tnolcft the foule, for fuch a fihiconfcu confeience is purified by the blood

finne, hath to obieft Chrifis me- rits agatnft its owne de-merits, the obiefling of which vpon good groundsill anfwer all the fpitefull cauils of the malicious tempter.

f Bene£ Secondly, an excufing confeience

will be a rocke of comfort in the

timeof diftreflc, when thou lyeft

vpon thy ficke bed it will accheere

% tnee,as Ezekith did, when he faid,

$?*•*-■ i lord remember how I hue walked

before

ofQnfcitnce. 41

before thee in truths mtbaperfetf heart 5eW. When the world takes her wings and flyes away from thee, when thy earthly friends for- fake thee, and difpu te againft thee, and all humane helpes iaile thee, this will be a cordiallandconfola- tion vnto thee. And which islaftj. Bencfi. of all, and yet beft of all, it will goe with thee to the uidgement feate of«Chtift, defie the deuill to his face, acquit thee and abiolue thee of all the crimes which euerthou were, either iuftlybytheaccufing a&sof it, or vniuitly by the fpite, of Satan and his wicked inftru* ments charged withail. Loethisis the good, the gaine heere; heere- after, that an excusing confeience doth and will bring thee ; and yet thy good confeience hath this ex- cufing quality. Why art thou then fo deiecled thou Chriftian , and why is thy foule fo fad within thee;

the

4^% The Court

the Lord comfort thee vpon this ground, theLord(with this)fpeak peaceably vnto thy foulc. Vfe i Thirdly, heere is terrour vnto

* ** thee that haft an euill confcience, knoweft thou man what it is I if thou bseft ignorant, heare the point in hand telling thee what it is an accufing confcience. And though peraduenturethoumaieft be fecure, haue it lie a fleepe a ten g nvifT 1?t*mc together, yet like amafliffe * vtopJcV curre at laft it will awake and be a- hut itfAmf. bout thy cares ; and when it awa- ^XpV^h, who canftoppe the voyce, mjcomm who can allay the fury of it ? thy ^%^.^-witte cannot doe it, take Achi- U™l4tlhbc-t(fhei* for wimeflc; Thy wealth rarc*k vr. cannot doe it, take Iuias for ex- geme *pxie- arrtpie# it\y authority can not do chryfiih in it, take Iultw for thy proofe. Thy Gm.hom. *fvreetc bitte and iouiall compa- « Dan. ?♦ n*c cannot doe it, take B BAlflazzar Obiett. forwarrantBut what if ray confci- ence

of Confeience. 43

cnce doth accule raee ? what of that I is it any great matter ? Thou lhalt know that when thou tryeft it. And in the meane time (for what I can aniwer thee in this im- pudent demand) this I lay to thee. To haue an accufing confeience, habitually is not onely to be dc- priued of the fweetc benefits of an excufing confciencc,which I fpake off in the former vie, butalfb in (lead of them , to meete with the contrary inconueniences. Firft, thine accufing confeience will out-wcigh all the good deeds that euerthou haft done, thy prayers, almesjtemperatejciuilljneighbour- like carriage and behauiour, and the like; It (hall little auaile thee toalleidge any of thefe things to thy comfort, when thy euill con- feience is vp in armes againft thee; a (Me Let a man be iuftly accufed at fome temporal! barrc for rape, inceft,

mur«

44 Tb* Court

murthering of the innocent, or any fellony that deferues death, what will it bootc him topleade his gentility, his hofpitality, and that he hath beene a good friend to the common-wealth, &c if io be his accufer comes in ftrongly a- gainft him, and refoluestoprofe- cute him to the very death ? Al as, what woald it haoe aduantaged IuLu to haue alleadged his prca- ching,hisdoingoftniracIes,hisca- ftingoutof deuils: Jchitophelhxs policy, & prouidence for the State & common-wealth, when as their euilcofciences did torment them, the one for betraying his innocent Matter, the other for plotting trea- fon againft his lawful I Soueraigne I I tell thee when confeience is a do- ing its accufing office, it will nei- ther heare of thy honefty, nor ciui- litie, nor liberalise, nor any thing elfe good in it felfe,that hath been

done

of (onfdence. ^

donebytheeforcorruptends, buc it will take them all, as if they had neuerbeenedone: yea accuk thee for failing in the manner.

Secondly, it will deny thee com- confdmU fortiii time of diflreffe : when thy nmUhme body is tormented with corporali^T^ difeafes, and thou lyetofflng and^iyk^f tumbling from one iide of the bed to the other , and faine wouideft haueeafe. When thy corne5catte]l, fubftance, goods are taken away from thee and thou brought to pouertie, when fcarcitie pincheth thee, when friends leauethee5and enemies let againftthee, to haue content and quiet within, it were fome comfort, but (oh miierable perfon) that is not to be had , thy confeience is buffeting thee, and vexing thee within , dealing with thee as the conferences of thefe brethren, with them fuggefting matter of terrour vncotheminthe

time

4<S Ihe Qourt

time of their outward extrcamk tie. And laftly,whe thy accufing cofci- ece comes at the bar with thee aftef this Hfe,it will be a co-partner with *APoci^that* accuferof the brethren Sa- IO« tan againftthee, to the vtterouer-

throw, andeuerlafting confufion* Now go to thou feared finner,thou ftiffe-necked offender, aske in fcof- fingwife5 what matter it is if thy confeience doe accufe thee. Loe, thou feeft what a matter it is $ And were it not that I wanted a tongue to exprefle, and then an eye to be- hold , an heart to confider the fearefulnefle of thy condition , it could not choofc but be like the fight of the figures that Balfiazzar faw vpon the wall, or elfe like the found of the Sermon that the •Ad. ». *ewes ^ard Saint Peter preach °, euen an occaflon to make thy loynes (hake and thy ioyntstrem-

bte

of Confcience. aj

ble, thy heart foft, and thy foule humble, what? no comfort to be reaped by thee , in the bcft aft ions thouperforracft} In likelihood to be Jcft like a defolate forlorne and comfortiefle creature in the time of diflrefle ? in icopardie to hauc the fting of confcience pcr- fuing of thee to Gods judgement barre, the worme of confcience, gnawing on thee, for euermore after thy few and euill dayes be en- ded? what can be more terrible, more woefull ? Verily, if ths thought of thefe things preuaile pot to humble thee, thefe terrours arc as like to ouertake thee as death it felfe, then which nothing is more fare, more certaine. The Lord therefore raooue thy heart with this, if it bee his holy will. Amen.

Laftly, heere is indefinite cxhotv yfe a ration to all without difference,

that

4g ihe (jmi

that they would giue all diligence boch to attaine and reteine confer- ences thac arc good, boch to bee freed of and prcferued from con- Xciences that are euill. The exer- cifeof this two-fold duty, tooke vp a great deale of Saint Paules care, as appcareth in fundry pro- teftacions (of his diligence in this kinde) in the feuerali Epiftles which hs wricech vnco the Chur- ches. Now if the worthy example of that worthy Apoftle be to bee followed by vs in any thing that e- ucrhe did, it is to be imitated and followed in this ; and that lb much the rather, becaufe of the ground to perfwade to , and the motiue to enforce the duty , which the do- ctrine in hand affordeth* telling vs that an euill cenfrience is an accu- fing,avexing,a tormenting confid- ence. Now tell mce who would be willing to beepeftered with a

tor-

qf(on/cknce. 49

tormenting confidence? who takes any plcafure to fiaue the dares of the Almighty dagging at the heartv or the arrowes of the Al- mightie drinking vp of the fpiritf Quietof foule and tranquillity of minde is that that All doe natural- ly defire. The vngodly themfelues wifli for peace, and rather then they would be without it,they will content themfelues with a falie peace, with carnallfecuritie. And there is none that Jiueth vnto whom terrours and tortures inter- nal! and inward are not tedious and irkefbme , would we then be freed and preferued from fuch ter- rours,fuch wownds,fuch daggers ? would we haue true peace, and found tranquilitic indeede ? then let (as I faide) endeauour to get good confidences if we want them, &to keepe them if we haue them, ,or when wefhal attains vnto them, E And

\ 5b Ik Qourt

And for better furtherance in fo weighty a duty as this is, I will commend to Gods blcffing and thine vfe, two rankes or forts of rules. In the tirft whereof I will prefcribe remedies to cure the ma- lady of an euiil confeience, or let downe meanes to bring thee to a good confeience. In the feeond I will prefcribe antidotes to keepe thee from falling into the lame difeafe of an e-uill confeience a- gaine, or acquaint thee with helps to keepe thy confeience found and good if it bee fo already. In both of which before thou goeft any further, I defireatthy hands a refolution to vfe both, fo neither I in writing this , nor thou in rea- ding (hall loofe our labour. Remedies tor the firft , I tninde to lay a 7J\l96*t gro«ndout of which to draw the meanr s to rules, or fomeof the rules at leaft,

IILITJ. Gnd that Bround lha11 tafcdefini-

tion

on-

Jcience iss

of Confcience. ft

tion or defcription of a good con- fcience and a bad, . .

p Some define a good confei-^^ encethus. Obr*-*.

A lood conference* is the iudge-Whzt* ment of our trnnde approoumg that which we doe, asplea/mg to good, he- c&ufe tbtt we our f tines pleafe God through Chrifit andbecaufe wejiudy to pie a (e him 3 with ajerioxs purpofe of walking according to his will.

Others more briefeiy thus.

A good confcience, is ^ioy^fprin-uemw^, gingoutof the remembrance of attfesj#*%* holily And hone ft ly led, or a confidence * * % offinne remitted.

As for a badconfcience> 1 1 die it to he contrary to the good, and may bee defined either, firft thus.

A bad confcience is the cen fare of 'what a bad theminde, dif allowing that which we £»(cicaCQ doe as difpleafmg to Godjnfomuch as neither our perfons doe pleafe him through Chrifty nor {as our confei- E % ences

r\ 52 ■lbelmt

encestellvs) we Jludie tofleafe hm in our Hues with a Jledfajtpurpojcof heart to confirm? vnto his will J

Gr fccondly thus: Aneuillcen* fclence , is a trembling and feat e ati- fwgout of the remep$rme of a life lewdly cJn wickedly led.Thk ground bychefedeicriptions fchusiaide, I draw our thefe directions, for the getting <f '< good, and ridding of an emllconjcience. i. Rcmrdy The firft is thefpiritof difecr- nrif n,"BB» a Judgement to difcernc of things that differ. For it is rcqui- fitcthac a good conference fhould be informed vpon a good ground, true principles, now how can th at be, except a man hath Judgement to try and difcernc the ground, whither it be found or falfe? It is the office of conference, either to allow or difallow, buc how can it allow of whatisgoodjordiiallow -■ that which is euilJ,except the party

hath

of Confcience. 5 1

hath knowledge both of goad and euil,thatis,whatisgood,andwhat is euiil. A right vnderftanding heart, anda.good confcience; a biinde minde, and a bad confci- ence 5 are ordinarily yoaked roge*- thcr. If Papifls did not make ig- norance the mother of deuotion. If our generation of vnwifc and carnall ones did not like to Hue in blindnefTe of heart without facing knowledge, both the oneandthe orhcr would haue better confer- ences then they haue. My counfell therefore to thee , is this, to get thofechaincs of darkenes where- withal! thy hearcis fcttered,puiled oft, and thofe mifts of ignorance, with which thy vnderftanding is darkened remooued away, that thou maieft be able to difcerne of things that differ, thatio therighc information of thy minde, may prooae to be a meane of thefound E 3 relbr-

\ 54 7heQm

reformation of thy cgnfeience^nd fo that goodnefie may be reftored to it ■ which by nature thou arc quite bereaued and depriued off. *. Remedy. Secondly, when thou haft attai- ned vnto a found iudgement, and canft pur a difference betwixt good and cuill, then it (hall bee good for thee to approoue of. the one to difailow the other. For

when men againft the light of their ijw.hift. own knowledge^ like Iulian^

fuihT?: Zceholt™ r difailow of that which ri. is good, and like the Scribes and

Pharifees approoue of that which is euill, is it poffible for them , fo Jong as they forcmaine, tobere- rnedicd and cured of their euill confidences?

iWpraies on the behalfc of the

brethren at Philippe that they

might approoue of "things that are ex-

**M.i.io.cellMtt ", which prayer hee would

haae neuer made,had not hefeene

ofConfcknce, 55

it, a matter very vfefull and need* fullagainftanemll,and fora good and hoiieliconfcience, to approue of things honeft according to the excellency of the fame: Wee fee men and women, to diflike of hea- ring of Sermons in publike affemr blies, of offering vp facrifice in their priuate families, of making profefflon of religion \ and they like better of beeing prefent at ftage-playes , the very cheaters of luft: ^fryoting in Tanernes^ andtFoi.for^ tap^houfes,bcing (as they are abu- £#« jcal? fed) the very fc'aooles of the deuitt: f^J^. they approoue better of allowing e94. rh^ inordinate courfes.' And hence it J^SR**? comes to pafle that their confei- '" ences are fo vile and euill as they are. Deale plainly with me now, doeft cliou in good earneft defire a good confeience ; like of that which is good, as mod worthy to be loued, diflike of that which is

eqill,

59 Ik Qourt

coill, asmoft worthy to be hated and m time thou fliaJi finde thy Joucfoftrongly inflamed towards the one; thy hatred lo foundiy iharptned againfl the other; that thy conicience (hall be clctre be- fore Gad, and honcft towards men.

j. Remedy. Thirdly, hearken to thechekes of conference j be willing to heare

conicience ipeake, and to take a carefull view of thofe articles, which it prefenteth vnto thee, and bnngethinagainftthce. tmu e. O mtferable man that thou art

fiftSi. could/hf heathcn W'W**-'

JfedUm. t'mnejt this mtnejje. When thy

onmjz conicience (hs vpon thee, as nL

«»»,* u*Jhan™ *pon David, thou art th;

■ *fi*». man; or thou art the woman that

haft failed in this duty, fallen into

this iniquity, omitted that good.

committed that euill, rhinke in

thy heart it is verily tr«e,and fay in

thy

ofQnfcimce. tj

thyfclfe, as naufd to Nathan: I h&uejwned.

In the fourth place, forrow thou *' Re»dy. after a godly manner, for thofe e- uils which thy.conicicnce (being rightly informed) chargeth thee withal] 5 imitate Saint Peters con- uerts ; who no fooncr were accu- fed in their confeiences by occafi- en of his Sermon, of that crime of crucifying Chrift,but they were pnckcdjtouchcd with remorfcand forrow for the fame. Oh if as of- ten as thy conference fmitesthee, thou hadft but the grace with £- fhraim to (mite thy thigh and fay, - s what haue I done, thou wouldft ^!^ grow to hatic a great deale better ^dlick ™ confcienCe then thou haft. J-Tim.,.

Fifthly, Faith u helpefull and^M- neceflary in this workc: For he that litdti* moy~ u wholly difafii Wiih vnhUefek£Z' (iaith one ")£/.,• emfeienee cannot beet""'!1 eJe good. This is plainly intimated bytZ.""f"'

Sainc

rg Tfo Court

Saint iW to the Hebrcwes, in a comparifon which there hee y- * Hck 9. feth *.lfthe blood of Bids and Goatcsy *$> x*- and the afhes of an Heifer \ fprwkling thevnckane^fan^ifieth totbepurifi- ing oftheflefh: How much more fbxtt the blood of chrili , who through the eternal Spirit offered himfelfe with- ouifpot toGodypurgeyour conferences from dead workes to feme the lining God] In which word? by an ana* logie betwixt the type and the an- titype, the Apoftle prooueth the efficacy ofChrifts cleanfing^which cleanfing he calles the purifying of the confeisnee from dead workes, yea from fin which bringech death, and is lined in, by men that are fpiritually dead. Now if the con- science cannot bee cleanfedfrom finne but by the blood of Chrift, then it can not become good , but by faith which apprehendeth the blood of Chrift to our purging.

An<J

ofQmfcience. %$

And befides , if lo be a good con- fcience be, (as is cxprcilcd in the firfl definition \) the lodgement of*Pd& 46a theminde, approotmg of that which we doe asp leafing to God, hecsufe our ferfonspUdfe God, or elfe(as is (hew- ed in thefecond definition) acmfi dense of finne remitted, what doth this argue but a neceffity of faith, to get a good confciencc,by which faith (as it apprehends the righte- oufneile ofChrift) both outperfom come to pleafe God,and oorfoules are confident of the pardon ofour finnes? Well then wouldft thou be purged from an euill confcienccj doe this j when thy con fcience(be- ing rightly informed) hath accufed thee as guilty of fuch and fuch finnes, and thou becft heartily for- ty and truly humbled for the famc,get thee by faith to the fonn- taine of Chrifts blood , bathe thee in it, feeketohauethyconfcicnce

appea-

60 The Court

appeafed by the aflbrance of the pardon of thy finnes through Chrift Iefus alone, make this thy mame drift of giuing attendance vpon Gods ordinances, and thy e- uili conlcience wiil be as cffe&ual- ly cleanfed from thofe euils that naake it bee , as by the legall clean- fings in the ceremoniall law, fkft was wont to be purged from lepro- tic, peftilence, or any Fuchlikefil- thy contagion. 6. Rcmcdie. Laftly, the ftudy and praftife of a godly life, breedcth and brin- geth a good confeience $ And this helpethe laft claufe in the firft de- finition of a good confeience af- fordeth, where is prooucd that therefore a good ccnfciencedoth approouc of what we doe as good, as well becaufe wee blue a 4 earn eft Jiudie andferious pay f wj e of walking according to Gods will^s becaufe we know our ferfom pleafmg to God

through

of Qonfcknce. 6i

threugh faith in Chrift. And Saint Fettr makes it good , in his firft E- piftle third chapter, 15, and 16. verfes, where fpeaking of a good confdeiKe,he loynes withalljboth a fmfiifying the Lord God in our hearts? that is, afludyand ferious purpofe to ferue him, andalfoa. good Conner fatten in Chrift , to [top themouthes ofthofethat arcrea- •dy to accufe vs as cuill doers , that is a pra&ifeof the workes of righ- teoufneflc , gluing vs to vndcr- ftand that it is impoffible to haue a good confciencc,except we lead & purpofe&flodytolcadagodJylifc. Thefe are the rules I thought good to !ay downe for thy furthe- rance in getting a good confer- ence ; If hauing vfed the fame heretofore thou haft found it al- ready, or by Gods bleffing ftalt obtaine it afterward 5 to the end thou raayefl keepe it,raatke a word

or

$z The Qmrt

or two more/ and then I will bring thee out of thispoint,wher- in I hauc held thee longer then I thought at the firft. How to And to this purpofe, I will lay kecpe a downe one gcncrall caution, out i§d°nccCOn o{ which I will draw the whole direction , and that is, it (hall bee good for thee,to take heed of offe- Simiie, riDg any wrong or violence there- unto: If it be as wee commonly vfe to fay, it is great piety toin- forcc an entire friend to inconuc- niencesagamft his will ; it is much morepitty to enforce a good con- science, (whereunto no earthly friend is comparable, both in re- gard of the good that it doth vs in the time of profperitie , and the comfort it brings vs in the day of aduerfitie? Now the confeienceis enforced, or hath violence offered vnto it two waies , either when we would hauc it more large then it

fhould

of Qonfcknce. 6$

fliouldbe,or more ftreight then it neede be.

Firft, the confeience is made more large then it fhauid be, prc- fuming, or venturing lurcher in the omiffion of lomeduty, or in the giuing place to fome infirmi- tie, then there is wairant. Vnto which preemption there are thele fiuefteppes or degrees,

Firft, a fecret wifli thst fuch a u thing might be done, which wee H(w the know to bee vnlawfull , that fuch %'™£dm a duty were not required, which Sade^oo we know to beeftriftly cnioyned.Iarse«

Secondly, vponthis wiOi an «-££££ population with our felues, whi- on, which thcr it may bee no way lawfull to ten^ r? commit that vice , to negleft that STnfd^ duty, (o making that now queftio- to© large. nable, which before we knew to be l^Tr% abfolate euery way vnlawfull.

Thirdly, a ftrong imagination $, Degree,

vpon

6* The Cmt

vponthisqueftion, that it may be very gaindull and commodious, ifwedoe takefbme liberty to our feluesin this kinde.

4. Degree The fourth degree, is to pro- pound vnto our ieJues the infirmi- ties of the Saints forourpacterne, realbning ihus^sgood cbrtftjans as lam^ better men then I am, haue done thus and thus , haue neglected this and this y and therefore I may behold without any great danger &c.

i* Degree. And the fift is a carelciTe con^ clufion, that if it bee but once or twice done , or feldome negkded, it cannot bee hurtfull , God is mer- cifully wee are in his fan our ? his lorn cannot alter ^ and I know not what* And fb by consequent from all this premifes , a prefumptuous perpetrating of the offence. By thele degrees , wee come to pre- fume,and toftretch conscience (to

the

of (jnjcience. 65

the wounding of it,) beyond its Bounds, which is one kinde of enforcing of it. ,

Secondly, the Confcience comes Row to bee ftreightencd three manner the conf«. of wayes : firft by ignorance in «><* « the nature of the obligation , and {Trdghr°° fubieftion of the conlcience: fe- condly , by ycelding vnto doub- tings: thirdly, by a kinde of tem- porary defpaire , either of Gods prouidence to releeue vs in our temporall wants and dangers , or of his readineflc to acchecre vs in our fpirituall defertions.

That the firft of thcfccuilsdoth fircightcn the confcience, it is plaine by this argument. What- foeiier doth caufe fcrupulous di<* flr action ox diftraclingfcrufle% doth bring the confcience into freights, 'Bat ignorance in the nature of the binding and fubie cling of the con* F ftience

fcience doth CAufe fcrufuUm diftrd- clion. Therefore Juch an ignorance fir eight ens the confaenee. For wh en the Chriftian knows not through- ly what things bindc the conlci- ence. Wherein cenfeieme is to be Xubiea, how farre forth things binde, nor how or in what cafes, with what conditions conference is to fubmit, rnuft it not needes bring him into a world of diffra- ctions? Ho iv can it other wife bee?

Secondly, that ycelding to

doublings, doe firaighren the

conference, it is clecre, becaufe

doublings are enemies to the

peace or the confeience, which

* Cordis & Pcace is &e • confcienccs fweete

hB4twe/i enlargement, Vnto this peace al-

£* ^-fo defpaire of Gods prouidencc,

jt»£*p. c«ner ouer the outward man in

thetiraeof affliflion, or ouer the

foule,

of Confaence. $y

foule, in the time of defertion , is an aduerfary; therefore thirdly defpaire muft needs alfo diftrcile theconfciencc.

WeJI then , wouldft thou kerpc agoodconfeience, as a continu- al! feaft, obferuein generall, two rules. Allow no larger bounds to thy confcicnce, then with warrant thou maieft by vaine preempti- on. Bring thy conference into no more thraldomc and bondage then thou needed.

To helpe thee in thefirft, thatSubonfi- thou maieft not prefume: imrke na^heipcs, thefe particulars. 'othe oh~

rirlt, doe not wifh in thy heart thefirft gc- anyvnlawfull thing to bee Jaw- neraJlrui(% fill J V that thou might'ft the fafe- lier commit it, nor any neceffary duty indifferent}that thou mighift hotbetyedvntoit. Secondly, if thou beeft well in- F 2 formed

68 ?& Qun

formed of the vnlawfulnefle of a- ny cuill, of the neceifitie of any duty , abiure the court of facul- ties in thy eonfcicnce, enquire not after a difpcnfacion for thy felfe in fpeciall, cxpoftulate not whither thou mayctt, or mayeft not commit it,ornegle£t it.

3. Be hot ofconceitc that negleft of any holy or neceflary duty, or the committing of any finnccan be gainefull and aduantageable to thy outward ftate. For it is a filly gaine that is purchafed with a wound to the fpirit , and a cracke to theconfcience.

4.Set not the infirmities of belec- ucrs before thine eyes for imitati- . on, but for caution , not to emboU den thee, to doe as they did,but to make thee the more obferuantof thine owne waies , leaft that thou ftiouldeft doe as they did. for

cuery

ofConfcience. £p

cuery fatte ftands vpon its ownc botcomc; and little peace wik thou haue to imitate any morcall man, in that which is offenfiuetp thy God.

5. Conclude not that thou wilt but doc the deede once, or twice, or feIdome$ For finne is like a ferpent , if it gets but in the head, it will get in the whole body, and it is a clinging and encroaching gueft j whereof thou canft not be io foone rid as thou lifteft , after thou haft giuen entertainment vn- toit: neither thinkeft thou maicft be the bolder, becaufe thou art in Gods faqour , which can neucr changenor alter: thou artnotfo lure of heauen , but that the de- uill (though he cannot robbe thee of it)yetcan make thee queftion it to the perplexing of thy foule. Take heede (I fay) that by thefe F 3 fteps

7.P Ife Court

.ftepsthou.climbcft not vp the lad - .der of preemption , for then that there is no greater enemie > to an holy and blamelefle life , the maimainingof which holy life, is the greateft preferuatiue to a good conlcience that can be.

Sccondly,asthusbyprefuming,

5i0>^rdi- c^ou mu^ not ^rctc^ lty conici- nate hdpescnce. So to the end thou mayeft tothefe- not ftrcighten confeience, thou rSlruk.ne" muftdoe three things. ,

U F^ftj get a found knowledge

and right vnderftanding of the binding, and fubiedion of the confeience, to wit, whereby and how it is bound, wherein and how it is to be fpbiecl What binds Now for thy better informal r»e ' confd- on in this, know that fomc things enceimnie> binde the confeience immediately Law,yGof- or properly; Tome things, mediate- peU,' ly or improperly. FirU immedi- ately

of Confcienee^

71

ately, that doth binde the confci-

cncc, which hath moft abfoluce *&&

power andauchoritie in it icJfeo-thcras mo-

uer theconfciencc, and thus the^^

Lawand Gofpell bmdes the con- mil,

fciencc •> or the word of God com-

preh ended in the bookes of the

OJdandNwTcftamcnc. Firft/or the Law.

That is three- fold , morall, iu- dicialJ,ceremoniall.

The morall Law refpeclech the ,. duties of loue which wee owe toHow A* God and our neighbour, com- ^5^7 pnfed in the firfl and fecond tabk%cQiifdCncc. no* to know how this binds con- fcience, thefe two rules muft bec obferued. Firft, Tmtthefecondta-

wtch that if hvo duties comcinepf* L IZ nion one to the other % andthefirji ta- hovv tIie jfc binds the confciencc to the Meythe™ntsl7 econd to the other ,fmply tyitfelfe, con/daicc. F 4 that '• ^

*? * Tk Court

th.tt duty which is inioyned in thefirfi> mutt he performed rather then thai which isprefevibedin the faond.

.J. * ' blc binds me toperformealltefti- moniesof loue to my neighbour; the firft.to execute all offices of pietie towards God, Such and iuch a teftimony of loue to ray neighbour , may in fomccafe not ftand with my' piety towards God: in this cafe my confeience mtift fubmit it felfe, rather to the plea- fingofGod, thenpleafingofman. Albeit, infomecafe wearetoncg- lc&fome duties to God, that wee may releeue the prefent neceffltie of our brother, which is warranted bythatruleof Chrift; Iwillhaue mercy and not facrifice.

s, Rul?* The fecond rule is this ;7&f//£* generall Law muft giue way to the jjeciaU. Tajte an example, or two.

Thou

of Qmfcknce. 7$ /

jho» Jhalt doe no murther: Thou The rule %U not (leak are generall lawes.^mPhfi- Abrahxm take thy Jorme , thine onely fonne ljaacy and offer him vp in Jam- lice*. Etterj woman Jhall borrow of x Gen it* her neighbour , and of her that foiour- 12# rteth inthehouje, iewelsof filuer^ni jewels of gold , and yee (hall fpoile the Egyptians ?, were fppciall cpmman- » Exod. 3, dements. Both of thefe, euen ge- *** nerall aad fpcciall , doc bindc the confciencc: In this cafe , which muft Abraham and the Ifraelites chiefcly fubmit vnto ? To the fpe- ciali; he muft attempt to facrificc, his fonne , notwichftanding this, Thou fhaltdoenomurther. They muft rob the Egyptians of their iewels and treafures, not withftan- cjing that precept ; thou fealt not fteale. Why? becaufe the* fpcciall had at that time more power ouer the confidences of Abraham, and the Ifraelites then the generall.

Froraf

74 735* (jurt

2. h©w the Ffom the morall to come to ^* Iudida!l law; which was of 8S* tG P^icribs the Mofaicali e^, forme of ciuillgouernment, con- ceiving the order offices of Magi- ftratcs and Magiflracic , judge- ments, puniftmcrtt$,contraas,dif- ferenceofgouernment, to the end that pubhke iufuce might bee

maintained, peace continued, and the contempt of Gods law reuen- ged.

This Law fo farrc bindeth the confeiencenow, asitiseucr duely grounded vpon the morall, and where the fame reafon holdeth thus, as it did in them and other nations by the light of nature pra- #ifed in the fame manner. 3. How the Thirdly, the ceremonmi Law - Imb^lf ^ich treateth *f rites and cercmo- colfc^icc. *ies e*W*#t$* the old Tettarnenty to be obferued about the outward wor- fit? of God) is to bee reduced to

three

of Qonfcience. jz

three diftind times, according to which times, three rules may bee giuen to (hew how farre forth con- science is iubieft to that.

The firft rule is this. Before the i. Rule/ death of Chrifi^ the ceremonial law did binde the confcieiccs of the Jewesy and the /ewes onsly , not of the Gen* tiles. For betwixt lewes and Gen- tiles , there was a wall ot repara- tion.

The fecond this. From the death *# Rule. of Chrijl , to the ouer throw of the Iewifi government , the ceremoniall Ityploft the force of binding , andbe* came an indifferent thing, either to be <vfedornottobev/ed. Hence it was that Paulriycumcifed Timothy , but would not circumtife Titm. And the%coitvcellat Icrufalem, decreed 'A& 15. that the Church (hould abliaine for a time from things ftrangled, and from blood jthecaufe of which decree was the weakeneffe of fome

who

7$ 7k (ourt

who of Iewes were madeChrifti- ans. As yet they did not fully vn- derft^nd the libcrtic of the new Teflament^ therfore for their weak- neflefake,it was granted that they might vfe fome Iewifh ceremonies for a time. Kule. £u l thirdly , after the euerfion of the Iewijh gouernment , and the pro- mulgation of the GoJpeU^ more largely and deer ely the ceremoniall law alto- gether ceajed. For from that time, the libertie of chrifiians and freer dome from Iewifh ceremonies, was fo confpicuous that none of the godly could alleadgc their ig- norance heerein. Wherefore very *ugescere- well fay the Schooles , * Geremoniall momdlesiam fawes Are ^^ dead and deadly. T h us tu*,crmor- w* tee the nature or the/,»w, au- fyr*. tliority ouer the confeience. 2. Howthc Now we will fee how the Got Gofpell pell bindes the confeience. For the h*ndcSt better vndcrftanding of which, we

muft

of Qnfcience. 77

muft know that the Gofpelldoth 110c binde the conlciences of thofe that arc not called , but onely of them that are cailed. That it doth not bindc the vncalled,ic is plaine. Becaufe as they which finne without the Law , Jhall fettjh without the Law* i lb they which finne with-aRom ourtheGofpcil, (hall pcri(h with- ji. out the Golpell. , but they which perilh without the Gofpcll^are not bound by the GofpcH 5 therefore thcvneailed are not bound by the Gofpeil. Secondly, that itbindes theft that are called, Imeaneiepa- rated from Pagans and Infidels, it is manifeft aifo by this rcafon. All thefethat are called,(hall be iudged at the laft day by the Gofpeil, as is to be feene,^w.2. h6. uk^ 1 5. 1 8. But it is ncceflary that that fame thing > by which men (hall be iud- ged after this life , (hould binde their conferences in this life; there- fore

yS The (ourt

fore the Go/pell bindes ths confei- Qucfi. ences of the called. But what Anfw. doth it binde them vnto I To be- leeue the promifesof iuftification, faluation, fperiall prouidencc,and loue. Obietf. Yea but hypocrites are cdledtnto the Church ,and if they be bound to beieeue their faluation, they are bound to belecue that which is . falfe , for the promifes of the Gof- pell, concerning the fauoljr of God, pardon of iinne, &c. belong

Anfw. H0Ct0Chem- I anfwer, That the/ which are called into the Church, are not abfolutely bound to be- leeue their owrte faluation, but oir this condition, (according to the tsnourof the couenant) that they deftrexxu\yx.ohz in thenumberof Chriftstrue Difciples, But ro bee the true fchollers and Diftiples of Chrii^tolcarncofhiai, to follow him, hypocrites doe not ferioufly

defire,

of lon/aence. - ya

defire- therefore their confidences arc not abfolocely bound to be- Jeeuc their owneTaluatiou.

Thus thou vnderflandeft how confiience is to bc-iubicflt to things that doe immediately bhide it.

Now as touching the tMniiV..

thatdoebindeit^w^l(thatfs,lhS t0 not or themfelues , but by vertue co obligc of that obligatory power, that they confcicnc* haue from the word of God.) they are foure ; firft,/^ Imeslfmmifa condJy, oathes ; thirdly, wives i tounhly9pr*mi/ism

Concerning the firft, how farre forth conference is to fubmit to humane lawes, thou flialt know if thou markeft thefe foure rules fol- lowing.

Concerning the firft, how hu- mane (awes dee bindc wee flialIRuie,tp know , if wee ponder thefe foure d^tal

**"*• onofcon-

Zawes of men, nhither they hee^C

Ciuill,

$3 The (om

CiuillorEccleflajlicall, doebindet/Ji conjcienceio farrc forth as they are agreeable to Gods Law. i. As they confer ue etder, or herefrom confufien and doe not take dw*y Ckri- fiian Itbertie. J. For if they baud thefe conditions, they are obliga- torie , and binding by vertue of thefift commandcment. Honour^ thy father, and particular precept gioen by Saint Paul; Let eiteri >Rom.ij. foule be fubiecl to the higher power \ *. But if it fo fall out, thatthe(e/4)w

conftituted by men , be not about things indifferent , but good in thcmiclues,that is to lay comman- ded of God, then they arc not pro- perly humane but diuine : and there- fore doe altogether bindc the con- ference. Laftly, if thofe lawesdoe prefcribe things that are euill, they are fo farre ftom hauing any pow- er oucr the confeience, that the conference is moft ftriftly bound

not

oj {jnjaence, - gi

Hot to obey themc. Wherefore cA6t we plainly affirmc againft the opi- af^T nion of the Papifts, that neither Ci- w^«w- mll mr Ecclefiafticall iurifdiclion^Zt^ hath any Constraining ov^'ere. compulfiue fewer immediately and ^1^1 direftly ouertheconfcience: Cotlutrdolu/.Z it was wellfaid of Maximilian the*/10- Emperour, to fecks to domimereo-f^L uer the confeience, is imfudmtly to in- p/tt, uade the tower ofheauen \ And of ff)h * St'fhanw King of Polonia , Three //nJpi}. things are impofsible toman , to make 1n*mPh*~ fomething of nothing, to know things 7£Mt to come , and to rule or Lord itouer the conscience. That fame Pfycho- tyranny , Therefore of the Papift which is moft crttell, moft Pharoni- iall, doe we deteft and abhorfe.

Secondly, the Pol i tike Uwesi, Rule, of man haue fo far re an obligatory fewer in the confeience y tbnt the vio- lating of them, efpecidly ifitbeioy- #cd either with the offence of their O hr&-

brethren or contempt of author it ie, it isiufllj to be mounted for afinne a- gainft God , though not immedi- ately.

j.Me, Thirdly , the E cclesi as ti- call lawes of men y are either of things necejjarte without which an or- der, and decorum cannot he kept m the Church , or elfe of things in different. Thofe that are of things neceflary, doc binde by the force of that di- uine law written by Paul, Let all things he done decently and in good

?Cor; order a. They that are of things mecreJy indifferent doe nor binde fo ftri&Iy, except the negled of the fame, ©ccafioneth offence to the weake,©r be with contempt of Ecclefiafticall authoritie.

This for information about the mediate binding oiconfeience, by humane lawes.

SSThSde r . Seco»dIy An oath bindes con.

conference. icience,it it hath caeie foure condi- tions.

of ' Qrfcience, $*

iions.Firft,//(for the matter ofit)/> he of things certains andpofsible. Se- condly, // (for manner) it be made er taken without guile , fmcerely and honeftly. Thirdly, //(for the end)// he to Gods glory, or the publike good. Fourthly,// (for the author)//^ taken by thofe who haue power fo to hinde them/elues. Therefore Her odi oath did notbindchisconfcience, becaufe it did not tend to Gods glory, and was of a thing beyond his comrniffion , with warrant to8 performe. But if an oath hath (I fay)thofeconditions,itbindeth by the vertue of that commandemene which Mofes layesdowne, Numb. ?o. 2. Ifamanfweare an oath, to hinde hisfoule with a handle /hall not hreake his word, he (hall doe according to all that proceeleth out of his mouth. . Now in the third place, for the ?. fibie&ion of conferee to vowes How™vve$ We muft vnderfiand that vowes^t

G 2 are

:nce.

84 ibe Court

are of three forts, morally ceremoni- dll9 arid free. Amorall<vow, is that promife of morall obedience to the law of God made in Baptiftne, remed in the Lords Supper. And this bindes all Chriftians at all times. A ceremomall'vowy is a pro- mife of ceremoniall obedience in the Old Teftament, fuch aswas *LeiM7. the vow of theNazarites c. And this did onely binde thofe who made it. A free vow, is a promife of performing feme outward thing, vndertaken for thecaufe of cxercifing pietie, as vows offafting orthelike,for furtherance in the exercife of prayer, of repentance, &c. And this is of a binding pow- er, if there be in it ; firft,a congrui- tie with the word of God; fecond- fy , no repugnancie with our cal- ling; thirdly, ifitbenofpoylerof Chriftianlibertie; and finally, be not made out of an opinion of any

meri-

of Cenfdence. g-

meriting thereby. If (i fay) k be

thus qualified and limited.it binds conference by the power of that diuineprecept, which is in Ecelef. 5.4, f. When thou voweji a vow to G»d. define not tefaj it i Setter it tsthoufhouldejl not vow, then that thcu Jbeuldett vow and not pay.

Laftly , that thou maiefl know 4- how how promifis doe binde the con!ci-V*™(« ence- thou rnuft obferue thisrule.S^ Thtt afimple promije (Imcanedi- flinguiftcd from apromife, mixt and bound with an o^itdothob. Itge and binde the eonfeiexteat the mU of 'him Jo whom itismadefo that it ne to whom thou makefile, will releafc thee fromthe performance of it, thou art free'.- if he require « „ •t, thou art bound in conferee J&? j o make ,t good; iffo bcic hathd*«- :hefcrequ(fites,

; ^^Mnot a^injcodswerd; econdly/Mtaiai»pht,j>eJlr,thkdlyt

<?3 "*

26 The Court

if thou beeBfuchan one as haftpmer to binde thy fclfe by fuch a promife : fourthly, if he whom thou haft made it vnto^ did not circumuent^ and get thee in by guile and deceit to make it : . fiftly, if the performance of it remaine pofs'Me anaUwfuM. If it hath thefe conditions ; it bindes by vertue of the ninth coramandcment. Thus ofthefc things conlidcrable about the binding and fubiedion ofcon- fcience , muft thou get knowledge and information of, if thou wouldeft not (heighten confer- ence , and fo wouldeft prcferue the goodnefle of it. %. Helpc Secondly, thou muft take heede agaaift of yeelding to doubtings ;of yeel- nfn^con- cjinglfay, For tempted to doubt See. " thoa (halt be, be thy confeience neucr fo good,but yeeld not to the fame; hold Satan worke at *he ftauesend,and when hefhall fhootc his darts in this kiode againft thee,

tel-

of Qtnfcience. $j

telling thee, God is thy enemiejhou art not his childe1 heauen [hall mt bee opened vnto thee , hell fire is prepared for thee : (notwithftanding, all thy profefsing and paines taking) beare them off with the fhield of faith. If thou let goe the IbundneiTe of thy confidence, thou wilt fhrewdlydi- miniflithe goodnefle of thy con- ference. The keeping of faith and -* a good confeience are ioyned to- gether, they that make hauocke of the one , will cafily make fhip- wracke of the other,- take heede therefore of dafhing thy faith vp^ on the rocke of doublings by yeel- ding vnto them, And to con- v Sub^ ' elude, take heede alio of ru(hingdinatehe|^ vpon the rocke of defpaire i when the Lord layes his hand in wife- dome vpon thee , and thou art tempted to defpaire of eucr obtai- ning any helpe from him. When (for reafons beftknownc to him- G 4 felfe)

88 7 be (hurt

felfe) he (hall withdraw the light of his conntenance , which with ioy thou wert once wont to be- hold, and thou fhaltthen be temp- ted .to thinke , he will neuervifite thee with his fauour againe : yeeld not to thefe temptations , be not out of hope ; but nouri(h,chcrifh, andmaintaine thy hope ftillhow- foeuer. For there can be no better way to keepe thy confeience good and found , then to maintaine thy faith againft doubtings, and thy hopeagainft temptations tending to defpaire. Thus at length I haue fou nd an end of this point, the fuc~ ceiTe whereof I commit to God, the vfe whereof I commend to thee; haftening now to thefecond part of the text. Which is Thcfeccnd The accufatipn it felfe, which gut ©f the thefe accufers brought in againft themfelues, in thefe words.

We

TheTableofthe fecondpart.

UTbeforme, H.r.Wc ate verily guikic, with thi memwg of iU p- *9*

, TheobieSorpartie wronged, B.V*

concerning our brother, withtht.

fenfe. p. gpj

I. Tb+l*-

The Sukett

Vlfwuand\l.7hemat-

^ »<if <rd £7 twophrafes. ^ ?3. The.Effetl, H. ron& I Tnereforeistbisdi

ri. Wcfawthc

t her ^w her

cafe of {^rongitfelfaggra^

wrong which wee hang ^things.

idtO

flrcllc come vpon vs : with the me* juxg. p* 91.

§^\a. The do.

r

Brines rthich are.

anguiin of his icuie, #/>£/£* yoj/e. p«9o. 2. When hce. befought vs, we would not benxc,with the \m Jenfe. p. 90.

P ropoun Jed together t appearing to be f tie in nam* her. pag. 92.

<T Thefirfly or third in the order of the text, (Tharin confeflion of linne, wee mud be ingenious,,) pag. 93. The fecond or fourth, ( That confciencc

is a fakhfull recorder,,) pag. 101. The third orfift in order ,( I hat by how much the neerer bonds we are tied to one another , by fo much the Handled V forcr tonntot (hall- we meete with- f in our confcleiiccs, )pag.i 13* The fourth or fixt in order,) That they fhall be requiteU, like for like which offer wrong,J/w£,i 30. ThefftorlaslintheText, (That not to pittic others in their diftretfc , is to (hut vp the bowels of others a^ gainlt vs in our dilbreiTe.^. 1 43 .. , jTotheendt,

bftynfaence. 89

We are verity guilty concerning our brother ', in that we/aw the anguijb of his [ante when he he fought vsf and wee would not heare\ there- fore is this diftrejfe come vf on vs.

WH E R El N we haue tO note, The fecond both the forme and the {££#■ matterof the acculation. the words

I. The 'forme in thefe words imerFctcd [iVe are verily guilty] that is, euen oufly!^" weluJah, Since Levi, and the reft of vs brethren , are moft certainly, truly without all flattery guiltie. * 2. The matter in the rcfidue of the verfe, which is acafeofiniury or wrong ; where we are to confi- dcr: firrt, the *£/>#: fccondly,the fubieel; thirdly, the effecJ of the wrong, tl The obie ft was lofephy he was the man to whom they had done the wrong, which theyac- cufe themfelues off heere,and him they call brother [concerning our

brother']

90 The Qurt

brother'] for fobewasindeede, by fathers fide , though not by m Jf thersfide. 2. The fubictf of the wrong or the wrong it fclf, (whicl* they had offered that their bro- ther) they doe aggravate againft themfelues by two phrafes $ firft, [wee faw the anguijb of his fouley] that is to fay : wee wretches after we had firft caft him into the pit, and then fold him to theMidia- nites, we could lookevponhisdi- ftrcfle and perplexitie, with drie eyes without teares , and fo our eyes were vnmcrcifull vnto him: fecondiy,[»?A<?# he be/ought vsywee would net heare~] yea, whereas it had behooued vs vpon the very fight of h is anguifh, to haue decea- fed from our cruelty •, he did be- feechvs, entreat vsto fparehim,& let him alone, yet we were f© hard- hearted, that we would not conde- fcend vnto his entreaty , and fo

both

of Qonfcience. pi

our hearts and cares werevnmer- cifull vnco him. Thirdly,the efftlt of the wrong following, in thefe words: [therefore is this dijtreffe come vfonvs~] yea> therefore we are now {crued Jike for like, this di» JireJJ'e of vs being charged for fites, clapped vp inpri/ony cannot be heard topbade and apologize for our felues% one of vs muft now bee hide vp in chafes, and God knowes how cru- elly he fhall be vfed ere we come a- gaine : this diftreffe is Come vponvs. If we ioyne theic branches toge- ther in a paraphrase, we may ima- gine thefe brethren to bring in this accufation againft themfelues in thefe termes.

Come brethren come, why ft and we The para- paufing with our f elites , what this?hxiit* hardship meaneth> whence it com- tneth ? Wee euen wee are moft cer- tainly without any diffembling crflaU tery.guiltie of offering great wrong to

our

$Z 7be Court

our ownebrothery the fonne of our n- godfather , weecajl him tnto thepity we fold him into the hands of Barba- rous Merchants , wee looked vpon him and laughed at him, when wee faw the dreamer in perplexitie^ he en- treated vs by the bond of f rater nitie with teares to fpare him , not to deale fo hardly with him , and we ft opt our earesagainjlhiscry, we regarded not hisreqttejifxtouldfhow no k'mdneffeto himy h^ue no compafsion on himjhere~ fore are we brought into this mifery. Now loe we , we are paide home to the fully we are recompensed like for like-y This gouernour of the land lookes vp- on theanguifh of our foulejwe entreat t himjhewillnotvouchfafe toheare vs, norbeleeuevs. This is thefumme. heere is the fence.

The conclufions follow, and are Sue.

i. Ccnfefsionol finnemuft bee ingenuous,

2. Corh

of Confcience. o?

2. Confcience keepcs a true re- gister.

3. By how much neerer bonds we are tyed to one another, by To muchforer torment are we like to feele in our confeiences for the wrongs we doe them.

4. God requites like for like to the wrong doer.

5. They that are pittilcflc to their brethren in the time of their diftrefle,{hallfinde others pittileiTe to themfcloes in their diftrefle.

To begin with the firfh lntheDoft , confefsing of faults , we muft be inge- Confeffion »«***, that is, we muft deale truly offinncs l without hypocrifie, throughly ££- without iecrecy or hiding any of our cuils; Co dealt thefe brethren of lofeph heere, charging them- ieluesto be verily guiltte , without fayning or doubting,or laying the fault vpon one another,- andeue- ry particular in the wrong, doe

they

94

Tk Qourt

they without hiding confefle andf acknowledge , as rirft how they had looked vpon and laughed ac hisdiftrdle : iccondly, how they had flopped their cares againft his cry. This ingenuity weetinde in David y who when he was found guilcy by Nathans famous hecon- 2.Sam.i2, tefled his whole finne. I haue fin- 13* ned igainf? the Lord. Marke, hee

doth not fay , I haue committed adultery alone, or I am guiltie of murthcr oncly, but he faith, / haue finned, lam truly guiltie of all that thou haft charged mee withall. Neither laith he , I haue finned a- gainft Bath/hefafigaiuft. Vriah onelj% hut againjt the Lord, as well as they; luft 16 dealcs he in confeffion/aftcr hce had finned in nurnbring the people > where he confeffeth that he had not fimply finned, but fin- ned greatly in that which hee had done VThis is euident in Nchemhks

prayer

b 2,Sam«

of (jmfcmce. 9j

prayer % where making confeffion, cN . he doth not onely cofeffc his own ^ finnes, but the finnes of the peo- ple, wherein hce acknowledged himfelfe to haue a (hare , neither doth he onely confefe their finnes of commiffion, in laying, we haue dealt very corruptly ayanjt thee , bu c alio of omiffion , laying , v;e haue not kept the commandements , nor ihe Jiatutes, nor the iudgements which thou commandeft thy feruant Mojes. The very like wc haue in Darnels prayer, and confefsion. IVe haue fin- ned , and haue committed iniquities and haue done mckedly, and haue re- helled^c. Neither haue we hearke- ned to thy feruants , the Prophets, which (pake in thy name/ <&c. d Dan

And the rather, muft weedeale s^T* thus ingenuoufly in the confeffi- Reafon. on of finne, becaufe we muft for- fake all finne, and forrow for all finnein good earneft, now if all

finne

9S lbe (jurt

finnc rnuft bee forrowed for, and that without all hypocrifie , if all finnc muft be abandoned, and in good earneft abandoned , then it muft as generally as ferioufly bee confefled and acknowledged. Vfe i Doe not they then muchtranf-

* "from confeffing all their finnes, that they will confeffc none of them, like the proud Pharifee iufti- fyingthemfelues, whenasPabli- canes and harlots , who amongft the Iewes were accounted com- monly the worft of the people, are like to enter into the kingdome of hcauen as fbone as they ? Doe not theyalfo offend this rule, whowil confeffefome of their finnes, but notallof them? if they benoted for fwearing, drunkenneffe, or (bme other profane a As they haue committed, happily they will cpn^ feiTe them vnto God,vnto raen,but

for

of (onjctence. yj

for their more fecret euils , which man cannot direftly charge them withall, thefe they £onteflinorf thefe they acknowledge not, nei* ther to God who is able to pardon them , nor to men who are fit to pray for them , to giue direction vnto them, how to be freed from the fame.

Againft both thefe forts, I may Vrge not onely the preient exam- ple in my text for their reproofey but alfo the words of an holy fa- ther of the Church. Thou baft >fm- jul.inW ned^ thou art gutltie. if therefore %&£***** thou fhdt fay, I HAVE NO? ^^ SINNED, excufe thofe words wes, ft how thou 'wilt , thy finneremamethw^^ &f. thee, offinnethtu artgtiiltic,andmt X^«T onely of thatfwne, which then diddejt ™b* **<"- lately commit (& wilt not con felfc)^!^- hut alfo offride,hecaufe thou wilt not turn tuum confeffc. And doth it indeede ap- m**H in te> f earc by that father that not to**' H con-

$3 7he Court

confefle finnc, is an addition to

finne, an argument of prideand

wane ©f humilitie? then thinke

thou what little wrong I doe thee,

toreproouethec, who either fcQr-

neft to confeffe thy finnes at all, or

refufeft fo ingenuocfly to open

them all to the Lord , as thoa

oughttft , which tell mee ? thoa

wouldeft obtaine pardon for all*

wouldeft thou not J thou wouldeft

not be condemned for any, woul^

deft thou J I tell thee,except thou

* A fpeech doeft* agmfcere , God will not /g-

fy?Jr»- nofare>> without confefuon nore-

gujlme. mfsiin. For the acknowledging of

our faults, is the abolijbing of our

« confefsio faults c. Oh folly then that it is fof

'"Zl'I'h tiiCQ whofocucr Aon bceft , to uZlctnol raake thy fbule lyable toconftrfi- rum a?y~ on heereafrcr, for want of a fincere ^"f^'and ingenuous confefflon of thy finnesin this life. I would Icould perfwade tke&nhc conttary,ok

that

of Confcietice. 99

&at the L >rd would be plcafed to ■* rtiakc me an instrument of tea- '* 2* ching thee better wifedome. ^w^yt the I pray thee,gct thee into Tome tiqn. fecret place, lift the corners of thy foule,deale ingenuoufly and plain- ly with the ford ; thinke it not Enough to confefle feme of thy finnes , but all of them,nbtone!y the IciTc but aifo the greater , and the lefFe as vyell as the greater, v bring before him all the circum- stances, the manner how, the lime when, the occafions where- on, the meancs by which the mer- cies againft which thou haft com- mitted the fame, lper(wadetheeAca*tio^ not to auriculer confeffion as the Ch inch of Rome enioynes her penitents^ but to that which Di- nidi and ?etery and P^/haue vfed $ to confefle to God , and in cafe of fleceffitie to fome faithfull Mini- ftcr, to fome Chrifiian brother- H 3 when!

I do Tl?e(j>tirt

.. . whdias otherwifethyconfciencc

Flurimum • .11'.,

cmmMdfa. cannot bee iecled and lati ncd. c*taemen- Alas , what will it auaik* chce co

trir"U'hldc ™y of thy BMc^whcn as the chrjfojt. »»Lord knowes all thy finnes. And Gtnnom.9 how canft thou truly amend any ftaAHHue- one i w^cn as ^ou wilt not ae- i™.h«w.3o. knowledge eiierjr one. Howhigfc

™L™, toll this duty, calling it, the dtfftU rtftAHr*- fa of vices > the rejhrer ofvertue\the nm&cT oppugner of Deuils. Oh holy and ad* Pitiable eonfejsien, thoujloppeft vP the mvuth of hell , thou openefi the gates ofheauen. Nothing (ht&remMne in lodgement again ft them, who are by this purged from their fmnes.l might vfemany arguments to perfwade to this, but time would failemeer neither doth the text in hand re- quire it of mce; The treatifes of repentance haue done it for mee, oiely that which I wifh thee vn to9 is ingenuitie in confeffing to ab-

horrc

of Qnfcienee. lot

fiorre hypocrific and doc ic flu* ccrely, to auoyde partiality , and d^eic throughly, as well concer- ning ilnncs ofomtfston as Commijsi* on% of failing in the manner of good duties,as negiefiingthc mat- ter,- pume dealing is alwaiesthe beft, and is that which will bring mplt reft vnto thy foule. Hoping thirchis fhal fuffice to moous theef I leaue this do&rinc and proceedc to the next which is this*

Yhat the confetence keepes 4 faith- D0&. 4. fullregijier. See heere what a true Cqnfci«ice reord of chat wroag offered W^^jf*" feph, the conferences of theie bre- dcr^^" threu took^and kept.

It had fet downe cucrycircum- ftanccin the fime, howtheyhad bcene pittilefle vnto him, ftopt vp their earesagainft him, yea(asitis very probable) how they had gul- led their aged father concerning hiin , making him beleeuc that H a fom?

1Q2 The Court

fornc euill beaft had deuoure4 him j Confcicnce had not lott one whit of the cruelty , the viliany they had committed againfthim, but had let downe euery iot and title of the lame. Such an infalli- ble regilter of lobs deedes, did the conference of lob take, the parti- culars whereof , it prefentsvnto him in che time of his cxtrcamitie, as is euident in fundry places of his booke. In one place remembring his pcr(eue*ance in grace, his louc to the word. My fcete hath held his fieppes^ his waits haue I kept, and net declined. Retthtr haue 1 gonebacic from the commandment of his lippes: 1 haue efieemedthewords of his mouth t Job aj. more ihen mtne appointed foode s. In ."*?*•' another place preferring his/'«- jhee and rtghteoufneffe , his charitie >ChaP. 19. and mercifulnefle to the poorer / **> M» *4i delivered thepoore that cryed^and the ?P**l?m fatkerletf* and hint that had none to

helpr

of Qonfcience. tO$

helpehim\ The hie f sing of him that was ready to perifb amevponmee^ I paufed the widdowts heart tofmg for toy. I put on righteoufnejfe and it cloathed mee , my iudgement was as a robe and a diadem, I wot eyes to the hlinde^ and feet e to the lame. 1 was a father to the poor e^&c. In another place reraembring his obedience/ / made a conenant with mine eyest thtt I would not lo&he vpon a maide te lujl after her* I haue not walked with v am tie , neither hath my f&ote hafted to decdt^ that whole },!• chapter being nothing eifebntaregiftcrof hisobrdience, which his confei- encehadfet downe before for his (comfort againft that time of need; What (hall [fpeakc o?Daaid>Ez,e- kiah and the reft, whofe goocjnefle was recorded in their owne con- feiences , whatfoeqer the wicked did goe about toaecufe, and op- pofethemwithall. What a faith* H 4 Ml

io4 -^ C^t

full rcgifter of Phxraehs iniurics ir 'Exod. icgainftth'c Iiraelices', of the Ifrae-

* tlsi«. iltes ag3inft ^«^k , of Sanies ar iz.i4. gainfti^/W1, of W$u*$m andSa- lCh*?. t^phtra^zinR the PrmitiueChuYch\ » A& 5.1. al1 their coirfcienccs had taken,thc word of God doth record , and fome of their owne mouthes did report. Hence it is that cwfciencc is compared to a bookc^For looke as in a booke, men let downc things which they would' hauc faithfully remembred, fo the con- ference takes notice of tholfc things which man rauft and (hall remember. Hence is that vfuall proucrbe arnongft vs. The eonfei- enceisAthoufAndmtncjJes. Whyfof i^Leafon Fir!*> God k the Lord of tfce confeience, now the Lord is the God of truth, cannot deceiue, and therefore whatfocuer hefetsdown in the confeience niuft needs bee mie,what cuerhe, thafcogjmands

the

ofQmfcienct. 10$

thecopfcicnce, will haue the con- fciencekeepe? mart bee faithfull, and hence' it is, that it takes and kcepes fo infallible a bill and ac- counts.

Secondly, tie conference goes not (lightly and careleflyto work, t.Rufcit in taking an account of things, but folidely and fubftuntully, ic maketh fure worker For in the ipinde (which f:nce make the feate of conference) there are three faculties, which are as it were the parts of cpnfcicnce. j . There is in-

fcontemplatiuej telligeace eithejv or

/pra&icall.

2. There is eledion. ;, Thcreis judgement or the facultieof Judi- catory. Now each of thefe per- formeth a feucrall office. Firfl, In- telligence contemplatiue, hath an office to fearch out true principles

and

106 The Qurt

and grounds for information i In^ teljigence praaicali , to make or draw out pra&icall minors, for prafticalifyllogifmes, from chofe principles which contemplation findes oat, or, if you will more plainly, it is of office to (hew tru- ly what we haue done, or what we haue not done for oqrowne parti- cular. Secondly, EieSion is of vfe to ioync maiors to thofe minors, that is to (hew vs that that is good or not good, eqill or not euiil which wee haue done. Thirdly, Judgement or the iudiciall facultie (aslfaid) isexercifed in pronoun- cing the reward, or the punifh- meat duefor what we haue done. Now then if confidence be bufied about true grounds for informati- on, iffecondly vpen thefe grounds itfhewesvs direStly what particu- lar things We haue done , or not nptie, if thirdly, ft (howes the qua-

Jitie

- <f Qmfikfice. io^

-litieofthe chingsi that wee .hane- 'done, and that they be either fuch as ought to be do fie3 or ought not to be duxie^if finally it pronounces truly thercward(due, or the pu« nifhmentdue , rnuft knot ncedes take a faithfuil Recount, and be a faithfuil recorder of our decdesj I can fee nothing to the contrary. If lebotVmid, &c. hauc the gift of gcnerall viidafhiiding in the word, of particular or practical! vndcrftanding of themielues and . their ownea£Hons,ii they can con- clude from that word that fuch things ought to be auoided or per- formed, and that they in iultice and equine are fo and fo toberer warded , is it much to be maruei* led , that their confeiences could fo faithfully report vnto them their pwne innpeency and integrities Truly no more to be wondered at? . jthen if a man ftould fet downe

fome

*o$ Th Qua

lome true expfoce done by fbrae other in a note booke, when hee hath a faichfull informer, to ac- quaint him, with what the exploite was, who the perfon was thatdid itjWhenthctimepfthedoingofit was ,• and what reward he had for his labour after he had done it.

Vfe x. To fundry eades and vfe$ fer-

ueth the meditation of this point.

The firft is the glory of God.

If the heaucns declare the glory of

PfaLi^.1. God as D<w/<iflicweth,& t^e firma- ment (hew forth his handy worke, vndoubtedly the confcicnce ©f man can do no JefTe.Theonc is the booke of nature as well as theo- rher, It is true, there is fome dif- ference betwixt them , for the one is internal! written on the infide, the other extcrnall written on the oucfide ; yet heerein they agree, that both of them containe in them Le&ures of the Makers?

ofConfcieme. i0p

praifcs. Is his wifedome magnifi- ed in the booke of the creatures J And is it not as well in the booke of the confeience I Is his goodnes maniteft in the one , and not con- /picuous in the other I Doth the one (hew forth the praife of his power, and not the other declare the glory of his greatneflc? Won- dcrfull is the Lord in all workes m? » M«*«- wonderfull alfoin this one of hhdu?/4W ** workes: His wifedome wonder- SiK" full, his mercy wonderfull , his^"^"»- power wonderfully may addeaifo{^4;

V . a* i /» 11 * • Hemw,+.

nis luitice wonderfull. Hie wife* {>-»'.£« *& dome (I fay) for all the Art of man cannot inucntfo exquifitcathing, cannorpen fofaithfull a record as tonfeitnee is. Prognofticators thac fetch their wifedome from the Perfians , who were once accoun- ted the great Sophifts of the»i%«. world *s Historians that fetch their u™ Vlt- knowledge, either by the eye from izffi;

thac

IIO Tbd Qourt

thatwhich they behold, orbythe care from that which they heare may compoie Calenders, pen Vo- lumes, yet may faile in many things they fet down, and deceiue theraielues and their readers J but in this volume of mans confer- ence , whatfbeuer the I .,ord of the confcicncefetsdowne, be it good' or euiil,it is moft infallibly and vn- doubted ly true. 2. His "mercy is wondcrfull, in that he giaes * man' • anode fofaithfull a recorder,to let downe ijijkm Jtu$- all the good ads that for Gods; ntmireri- p]0rv he vndertaketh and perfor- £*£'*** and co fuggeft vnco his rtemgentn thoughts all his failings, that hee t$mefiit, yt may quickly turne vnco the Lord

^ZVntji from them and recoucr. 3. His tumejjet m power is wonderfu II in that he can tldZ^U rule &&&fcimim define of Sat An, TwfitotuM to excufe a man with the regifter^ of &e- a . his integrities let Satan tempt him ^Wtodefpaire, to accufe a man widr

the

of Confcience. m

therccordes of his iniquities, Ice I the deuill labour what hec can to imake him fectire. Laftly , his iu- ftice is wonderf ull, in that he hath jmade this confidence as a continu- all witncflc in the wicked mans jhearc, to challenge him without failing for euery thing wherein he is guiltier wherefore (good Rea- der) wlunfoeaer thou thinkeft vp- on the faithtulneflc of confcience in keeping of recordes, benotfor- getfull to giue the Lord the due glory of thefe his attributes , ap- pearing and (hewing forth them- lelucs in this wonderful! and ad- mirable workd of the confcience. . Secondly,dotb confcience keep vr a faithfull regiftcr ? then be we ad - monifhed in the feare of God , to takeheedeof committing (inne in fccrct. Vat confcience will record it, andfetitdowne, that ismoftcer- ttine. The twy-lighc will little

auaile

j 12 Ihe Cwrt

auailcchc adulterer to take his fill ofluft in; the n?ght will Jkde profit the iwaggcrerto bedrunkc in * thedarke ihoppe will iitrh-ad- tfatftage the decciuerrocheateini The wiping of the mouth, the cleaning of the out fide of the ctfppe,tne new moones,the fprea- diSa abroad of the hands,&c. wilf little auaile the hypocrite, te~de- uoure widdowes houfes withall, to cpucr his iniuftice, the malice fa his hearty the blood in his hands withall. Conscience hatlr fuch piercing eyes, that it can fee in the d'arke,!t is fuch art excel- lent Scfitfencr, if can write in the darkc. Goethou about the deed"? of darknefle after the darkeft man- ner that can be, it takes notice of all, it will pen downc euery iot, tit- tle, snd circumftance in all. I telf theein the Court of thy Confci- I encethe Law is written, that thy ]

faults I

of lonjaence. irj

faults may abound, in thy remcm- brance , and that it may bring ° both thy etde and fecret Jimes &]*%£ ligin \ beware therefore in any tattu de k. caie ,. not onely at open and groilc B* '» i(tcem finncs, but alio of .fecret and clofe ^em'ti finnes. Ic was well laid or a p Di*%°rn.iW. nine. iVhy kcepeji thou clofe, V^f»PJ^M' as with the ignmnce of another ibotf 7i%x cm deflej'i thine own: conlaence. 1 1 was enim & l*- well laid by an * Heathen, if the »"£"£*% thing bee difhonejl which than doeft, teriu* tuam whatwtlitai4MUjhouohmmanknowcon^tmtiam

. r 1 1 r r 1 • • ' <t contarims.

tt yif tboa thy jeLfe be prmie to it. Yea isenecJ.t. what wall it profite thee 5 though all €P- 4*- *& mehfhmldpraife thee , if thine owne €s* ""'id conference doth accufe thee r. There- quid *efert fore(I fay)auoide that which is ab- «****&

• 1 r T • ^ 1 r 1 1 return ttt

hominabiciti Gods light: let not fCUUt the moft fecret place encourage xGreg». in thee to any finfull praailb, alwaies g^gf remembring this,tha£:thyfecreteft^,^v///(,^

nes laiideW, & cmfcientU Aceufatt Mibifafficit ctqfcicnti* me a. jiug, a£

I emls

ii4 Jthe Lmt

cuils are not onely fee before the fi*>ht of Gods countenance, butal- fj noted downe in the booke of thine owne conference, which oned^y (hail be opened to thine eternall fhame, without fetious and fpecdic repentance. Vfe 3. Thirdly, here is comfort to all Christians againft thole euill fur- miles that are vniuftly conceiued againft them , againft thofe contu- melious fpeeclra that are wrong- fully vtteredofthem. Some charge thee peraduenture with this thing to difgracethee, others with that, to takeaway thy name from thee, as the Iewes charged Chrift,. to 'Math.?*, beaconiurer, \l*bn Baptift a De- *Math.n. moniackc/ Paula (educer u Steuen 18- ZBhfpbewer*y Buthaue thcure-

\*a'l$' c°urfe to thy confciencc. That Cha'p.M,* famc inward witneffc and iudge, *Att, 6. tkac ([ fay) hath taken afanhfull record of whas thou artandhaft

becne,

of(hnfcience. 1 15

beene, and if that defends thee, what hurt can it be to thee though all (hould difgrace thec x. For*^*^-- looke as the Sicopbwts falfe praifes ™^£

I cannot heaie an euill conscience, £Wf &./>£ no more can the Slaunderers con - ^fmmiA tumelious fpeeches , wound a §,*£*■& good coniciencc. Doc others ac-f^.W?, cute thee of drunkennefie, and?- thine Ovvne conicience teftitiechy fbbriecie, others charge thee with fellony, and thy owne confctcnce witnefle the contrary? doe others raile on thee forhypocrifie, and thy owne confeience witncfTe thy finccritie? &e. Belceue thy con- fcience, which is a faithful! tefti- monie , and cannot deceiue thee againft all thofe lying obloquies, wherewith euill mouthes goc a-

i bout to depraue thee. Thc^Hcz-yomi t&

then could f ay,thst d minde con fit- faf!>+*

am of its owne honejtte , Uughes torettifama

fcomelyiminfame. Be then the re- »**k«*

J \% ports "^

1 1(5 ■ Ibe Lourt

ports that are malicioufly and ialfely railed of thee , what they can be, let the innoceneie ot thy *u*r*t a c°nicien€c be a * brazen wail vmo Umm cflo thee to beare and beate of thole i!&"re difcomfora which by thatmeanc ~jBo'*t.Epif}. way be occalioned in thy loule. l:i.zpifi.ad For (as Ambroj >iaies worthily. Hee

jiX^'dt f^at hub A ^etre conjcience ought offc. Bene not to he troubled , at falfe flounders 7 ^!tnmfctT wither must he efteeme another mam betmoneri, reproaehfuU tale agawji l him, of more comnt^ms weight then his owne priuate tejlimo-

f^pZdem me ***** him* L°°kc th°D F°0rC

indtienoeffe Chriftian , more to thy conjeience conumo then fame, lor* fame may oftentimes tefinnor.to. be decerned , but conjeience neuer in *fduum- the things which itrecordeth.

£$£' Laft of 3l]> d«^ conscience confcu.na. keepe a faithfull regiftcr* How nunquam carcfull then ought wee to be, to 7A. y_ commit the belt things we can to Vje 4. itscuflody. How happy will it be forvs,in drftrcflc at death, ^nd the \ day

of (onfcience. tiy

day of Judgement, to hauc our conferences produce to our com* comtbrt, and our glory ; our holy thoughts and raeditauons,our de- uout prayers and ciacuiations,our vertues of louing, fearing, depen- ding on, feruing, honouring the God of heauen , our teares and fighes for our owne finnes3and the finnesof the times^ ourardent wi- fh^s,confcionable endeauours for Sions wel-tare, our denials of our fdm*s,ourwGrkcs of charitie to- wards the foules , perlbns, ftatcs and names of others , our goodly counlels, Chriftian inftru&ions, holy examples, giuen to them that are yoaked with vs, that are vnder our gouernment, that dwell by vs, that are acquainted with vs? Oh how fweete, how comfortable a a thing (I fay) will it be vnto vs, to finde a bedrole , a catalogue of fuch things as tfaefe arc,when tbefc I 3 feale<|

u8 The Qwt

ftalcd bookes ( fealed to th? world- ward) of our consciences come to be opened and vnclaf- ped? Oh (beioued) if we would haue confeience faithfully relate thefe things then , let vs carefully labour to haue our (hare in thele vermes, letvs confeionably pra- diie thefe things now,that conlci- ence may record thGm, andkeepe them,againft fuch aftertimes; Foru whatfoeuer we commit to it, it is an infallible , and trufty kecperof *nugo & it. ic is (as^onecallesit)^^/^ jf?tf*£ cloIet^ tke^rke *f the covenant, the >«m^ciinA- Kings ftoYe-konJe : intimating thus torwm ,m- mucf^ fat like as in a ciofet a wo- rbe/auru man layes vp her bed Jewels, like '_*&*• as in his treafurie, a King ftorcs vp his richeft treaiures, againft the time and neede of vfe,iike as in the Arke vverereferued the rod of Aa- ron, and pot of Manna , for a me- morial! to the Iiraelites: So in a

good

of Qonfckncel up

good confcience chc precious gcmmes of inward graces, the heauenly treafures, the budding rod of outward vertues, are refer- ued and kept in ftore , for the Christian that hath them , to be v« fed by him , when time ferueth, when necde requireth, to be rc- membred of him to his priuatc comforc,and to his glory amongft .others, when there is needeof the mcraomll. Notonetcarefhedfor thy finnes , by way of hearty re- pentance, not one prayer made to Gods Maieftie out of a deuouc and contrite fpirit, notoncduwe performed in a confcionable obe- dience to Gods will , not a cup of cold water giaea to adifciplc, in the name of a Difciple, but as God fees it, fo confcience notes it: how frequent, how abundant then in thefeand the likeyeares, inthefc and the like duties oughteftthon I 4 to

IZQ The Qurt

to be, that this faithful! notary of thy coniciencc may bee liu&d with good things for thy comiorc, not with euili (or . thy tcrrour. Whatneedc of prcfling hath this duiu , in ivg.ird ofrhe deipcrace cartlcindlc of mod p( opk J who regard nor how cmpue of grace, how full of finne the ir hearts be, howvoydeof good fruits, how a- bounding with anil fruits, their hues be ? They care not what I- tems for minther, for theft, for wantonnefle, for viurie, briberie, blafphemie, hypocriiic, cofen age, pride,malice, neg!e<3 of the works of pictie to God , of mercy to- wards their neighbour, they corn* jnittothe booke of their confei- ence, as though it were a booke neuer to be opened ; as though thedo&rine in hand were an vn- fruth , and confcicnce an vn- fkxthfull parchment, either full of

blanckes

of Confidence. izi

bjancks, or lyes I In ftead of pray- ing, they will fweare, in ftead of bltffing, they curie, in ftead ot fea- ring God, they dare him, of lo« uing him, they hate him , of tru- fting in him. they murmure againft him , of frequenting his houfe, they frequent the tfeiyes , the tauerne, the play-houie, in ftead of a righteous carriage towards man, their conuerfation is vnrigh- teous, in ftead of a [ober carriage in regard of themfelues, they are mott intemperate, vnruly, neither can reaion , nor religion , bridle their affections. Poore C O N~ SCIENCE hath nothing but THESE things to record, for the tinaeprefent, to report, tobring forth in time to come ; which is a rnoti lamentable thing to confidcr. I would thefedefperate creatures, would goe to c Nature to fchoole. An euill confidence (faith that) *W

ill The (hurt

oftentimes hefafeyyet it isncuerfe* cure, that is to lay, although a,i c- uill mans confcicnce bee rn*ny times without parent tcrrour, yet it is neucr fo carelcfTe, but it sa recorder, in taking account of thoughts,, words, and deedes,it is ncucr idle. There's Natures por- tion : what is the vfefhee makes of it I Marke what f jllowes. *itdque *>- Therefore thou /halt commit no thing m/eSmfi t0 coniCi*nct, but what thou maicft qmd Amco commit to a friend. And what that nmhtere is, euery one aimoft knowes ; To F** friends fecrets are committed, and if our fecreteft deedes bee good, conference will be our friend to blaze them forth to our comfort and renowne, and that moft faith- fully, vndeceiueably, though the world takes no knowledge, makes noacknowledgcmentofthefame. Doff. j. IpafTe on nowtothe 3. point in the fecondpartof ray text.

That

of Confcience. *22

7*4/ by how much thefironger the Ey offering bondes be , whereby men are tyedtc^on% to one another , by Jo much the J or er the bl0fnadse J* torment t$ like to be in the confcience, vnion, is an for the wrongs they offer to onean0'z^fx2T thsr. It was the breach of chc bond hwnsfa<jr! of brother-hood chac (no doubt) row. encreafed the honor of thcfe bre- thren in this their diftreflc, doch not their fpeech bf wmy as much? We ar evenly guilty concerning Offt BROTHER* this tame* £ A 0- TH E R , flucke much in their fto- macke. Itwasthc wrongingofhis Father,his louing F<*/k>\whohad giucn him his patrimonie,affecl:ed himdccrcly, fhowne kindnefleto hira continually, which made the inward gripes the ftronger,and the outward cries the louder, of the yong prodigall e. It was the be- . Lukc , ^ traying of his Matter, his kinde iKzu MaSer (who had called him to an Apoftlefliip, betrufted him with

the

i*4 ft* Cmt

theStewardflup (whom he was fo bound vnto, thac if necdc /.ad re- quired , he fliould rather hauc beene prodigal of his owne blood for his lake, then haue bttrayed his innucent blood,) thac encrea- fed rhehorrour?the heart-fmart of sMath,i74 lud*s£. It yas no doubt thefpoi- * ling of the lite, thcdcfilingofthe

wife of his Sermnt^ his rruftyand faichfully?^^/f>/^, (who lay watching and warring in the open fields for Dauids lake, whom Da- uid was beholding vnto for his loue and leruicc,) thac did aug- ment the trouble of 'Dauids conlci- ence, when the Lord in mercy a- e %. Sam. waked him s. Did you neuer reade

mS*. nor hcare of Nero i how that the murther of his mother , (whom nature bound him to) and the (laughter of his kindred, (whom the fame bond tycd him to) did fo vexeandtarmcnchim,that neither

day

of (jnfcieme. 125

day nor nighccouid hec be quiet, but (till hce thought his mothers ghott didappeare vmo him, and the tunes of htll were ready at hand to torment him h } The like * ***>*. h is (toned of Alexander > who ha- yH- Ner0~ uing flame a deere friend of his "'*;'' *4' named Gfytm ? who had in loue flio wne h is readincfle to haue died for Alexander l , was (o terrified in l cwtMk*. hisminde, that hee would haue^^ killed himielfc with that weapon 7fi"?o "™ . wherewith hee (lew Clyim^ii : his ih**'ft guard had notpfeuentcd him , ht{nrms' lay grout ling vpon the earth, fil- led the whole court with miiera- ble howling and out-cries, asked thofethat flood by him, whither they could fuffer fucha wretch as himfelfe was to hue , cloiftered vp I himfelfe in his tent, and would ! haue pined himfelfe to death , if I his feruants had not by ftrong hand compelled him to take

rneate,

n6 1 he Court

meate, ftillchis being his picti-

* Etegofer- full long k, / (hxll returne into my

natorum owne conntrey a murtherer of my

ZZ£* AVEKS, (my Sa.ers,) this ag-

in jfMrUm. grauated his horror, this (qucfti-

f*^.^.«-onlcfle) added to histerrour, that

^ofiii. hce fhould fo wrong one, that

i»*. had rather beciie his fauerthen

hisenemie, whofe loue hce was

bound (as the light of nature

taught him) to haue rewarded itv

a better kinde. Thus we fee the

truth of the point, how that the

ftrength of bond* , to tie vs to one

another, doth encreafe the per-

piexitie of the confcicnce for

chofe iniuries we doe or (hall offer

to one another.

yf€% Heare this, all you, whom no

bonds (no not of nature, of blood

itlelte) can keepe within the

compaiTc of loue , of cquitie,

whofe hearts are malignant,who(e

tongues are virulent , whofe cour-

fes

of (jnjciewe. 127

ies are violenc againft yourownc kinred, the father rifing vp againft thefonnc, the fonne againft the father, the mother againft the daughter, the daughter agaiaft die mothcr,husband againft wifc,wife againft husband , brother againft brothcr/iiter againft fifter : a mans enemies being nee oncly of his ownc houie, butalfo of hisowne blood » Heareyou I /ay,this word of the Lord,take it in by the eare, and apply it to the heart, Poore wretches, what wrong doe you of* fer your owne confeiences f you pile vp horror for tbem, youtrea- fure vp terror againft them. The ftronger the knots be to binde you tovnuy, the forer (hall your an- gui(h be for your fruits of enmitie. Achitophd ftood but in aciuillre- | lation to Dauid^ as afubkff to his Prince , yet hee was terrified for gluing euill counfell againft

him.

125 J- he (jurt

't«<Sa«, him1, Thelaylor butinadomc- 17* 2j, * fticali relation to /Wand J//^, as alaylor to his prifoners, yethee was affrighted tor laying bolts vp- - Aft. 16. onthemm. And doe you thinkc »4-i<>' that you may offer vnnaturall vio- lence, to thofe , betwixt whom and you there is natural! refe- rence, and your conferences will neuer accuie you f as fure as can beyouaredeceiued. Let but bre- thren in the fame Ecclefiafticall fun&ion, fellow Magiftrates in the fame tcmporail vocation , felioW feruants in the fame family, fellow neighbours in the famecounsrey, offer wrong tooneanorher. lean- - not warrant THEM fecuntie from' ftingsof confeience. Bur todeaic cruelly with thine owne yoake- felbw, to hate, to reuiie,toabuie thy parents, whom thou oughcefif to loue, honour, and obey , to be without naturallaffe&ion to thine

owne

t>j Lonjmnce. ny

owne children, who arc thine ownc bowels, to deale doggedly with thy necrc kinred , and vn- kindlywith thofe of whofekiad- nefle thou haft fo bountifully ta- iled, is a thing fo horrible, fo inju- rious , that I dare warrant thee will coft flings intollerable, yea (without repentance,) wounds of confcicnce incurable. For if it Id ntrueimocenciey not to hurt a deadly n ill* eft fee* then it muft needs be iniuric in yer*. mH°m grame to wrong a deere friend; mc wwo and the greateft finnes rauft haue ***** . the greateft punifliments,of which ^f 0 punilfements torture of confci- cnce is one, yea the greateft in th is life , if it produceth defpaire, as it many times doth. If therefore it bee thy hap to heare or reade this, who art at enmity with thofe to whom thou art tyed by the bonds of nature or kindnefle, le K met

i|o i M (jmrt

race entreate this at thy hands ^ that thou wouldeft labour with the ierious meditation of this, vp- on thine inordinate and violent affections , that it may caufe thee to relent, for thy former enmitie, andbreake in iunderthofebarres of contention, whereby thy heart hath becne bolted vp againft thy brother fo long a time. Uoct. 6. The fourth point followcth : That Re- j^at tfjC Lorci reciuius like for like Gods Law. t0 tile wrong doer. Iuft as thefe brethren had dealt with lofeph, fo (fo in their ownc apprehenfion at leaft) are they dealt withallthem- fel ues; Therefore is this dijheffe come vpon vj, As we fo wed , fo we reape, as we meafurcd,fo is it mca- fured to vs againe. IVe looked vpon Iofephs dijlrejfe , this man lookes vp- on ow/j wee would not heare cur bro- ther fpeaking for h'mfelfe^ this man

now

of (jnfaence. qi

now will not heare vs , we carry ed home to our father afalfetaU of Io- fephs 'death, now (will we, mil wee) Wejbatt be compelled to carry him too true new es of the bonds of one of our brethren. If this were not a truth, wherefore was that law of giuing life for life ^eye for eye-tooth for toothy hand for band , foote for foote , bur* ningfor burning, wound for wound, ° &c. It was the decree of the°£xod. iu Lordagainft the Babylonians , that ^u*^atf" the Medes and Perfans, fhould chap. i?V deale with them, as they had dealt *>• with the Ifraelites , as appeareth J™'*9' in thebooke of leremie. I will re- commence them according to their deedes, and according to the workes of their owne hands?. Putyourfeluesin p icre. *<% aray againft Babylon^ aUyee that bend 1 * tbebow, 0*c. take vengeance vf&n her & (bee hath done , fe doe "onto her^. As Babylon hath caufei the * ierc^0f' K 2 flaine »4**j«

i$z Ihe Court

flaineoflfrael to fall, fo at Babylon lUr. t-w-Jhallfall the flame of all the earth*. Much to thiseffeft is chat of E&e- kiel : As lime {faith the Lord) I will doe according to thine anger , andac- l*z&,l<i,cordwg to the enuy which thou haft V- vfedoutofthy hatred tgatnft them*.

Where he threatneth to deale cru- elly with the Edomites , as he had dcalcvamercifully with the Israe- lites. The vcjy fame is repeated by Obediahin the 1 5«and 16. veries of his prophefie. As thou hafi done, it full bee done to theey thy reward! fhali returnt vpon thine owne head, for as. ye have drunke vf on mine holy mount aim, fo pill all the heathen drinke continually. It is not vn- knowne what 5Vi»Mtf/ fold, and did to A gag King of Amaleck* As thy fwcrdmadewomenchildlc£C)fofhall thy mother bee childlejfe among wo* men. And Samuel hewed Agog in

fiecesy

ofQmfcience, j^

piecesfrfore the Lord HnGilgal\The t , * , ground of this, r rake to be the di- r ,*?*' ■fcibotio? -lufticeof God, which is Aeajhi to reward caqy <*ian according to htsworkes, according to that of Iob^ Fortheworkof amm(kallhe render vnto him, and can fe entry mm tcfinde wording to his warn u Now « Uh H; if it be the office of that iuftice, to "■ deale with men according to their workes, muft not that man that offereth wrong to his neighbour, looke to meetc with the Jikc at the hand of another? * VnleiTe ho-* ^ miliation , and reftitation preuent^** it,hemayvndoubtedIy looke for it, or elfe for (brae heauier pu- nishment in the ftead thereof, ci- ther heere, or heereafter. i What a bridle to oabe our in- yfc . lunous hearts, what a chaine to S < binde our injurious hands, what a lockctobarre vpthedooreof our K 3 lippcs

i34

The Com

lips from vniuft thoughts, words, and deedes againft one another; May the ferious confidcration of this point bee J I perfwade my felfe, there is none of vs would be content to haue iniurie offered our felues by others; Why, oh why then {hall wee delight to offer wrong to others,our fclues ? woul- deft thou not loofe the life of thy childe I take not away then the life of thy frruant, another mans childe. For Abfdons blood did *2.Saiw. pay for Vriahs*. Wouldeftthoii *8-i4. not haue the adulterer enter into thy bed ? defile not thou the mar- riage bed of thy neighbour, for Dauids adulterie committed with Btthjheba, was requited with the defiling of his owne concubines »*#amf by his owne iontic * . Wouldeft *f"# thounot haue others difdainc and difregard thee I , difdaine thou not,

of Qonfcknce. j**

difregard thou not other men? for if ifmaels hand be againjl euery many mery mans hand jh all bee against him y. Wouldcft thou not hauey Gm, i& others iet traps for thee? fpread "• thou no nets, digge thou no pits for another : for if ffam#feckc$ the mine of the Iewes, EHher (hall plotte his ouerchrow zcWoul- » Compare deft thou not haue anothcrs wife- Efther *• domevvorke thecunfufion? vfcch^.7.tf. not thy wit for anothers harme: For if Achitofhels wit bee againft the Lords Anoynied , Hufhah wife- dome (hall confound his1. Woul-^Saa*. deft thou not be flandered? flan- 17,7*8° der not ; wouldeft thou not bee cofened ? deceiue not : wouldcft thou not be opprcfled? oppreffe not .; v/ouldeft thou not haue an- other man encreafe his reuenues vpon thy ruine, ftuffe not thine owne bagges with the beggering K 4 of

ij6 The Court

of others : wocldcfl; thou not lcaue thy wife,thy children^ prey to the extortioners, oppreflburs and cormorants gullet,to haue the fiatc that thou bequeathe!! them, the inheritance thou leaueft them, deuoured by him, confumed of him, after thou art dead and gone? robbenot the orphanc of his in- heritance,deceiue not the vviddow of her maintenance, while thou liueft ; for if thou docft, their wrongs will cry for vcngeance,and neuerlinvntill either inthyielfe, orthyfeede, thou be payed home in the like kinde: wouldcft thou not haue thy children (if thou haft orfhaithaucany) rob thee of the honour they owe thee? cut not thou thy parents ftiort of that ddtie thou ovveft them: If thoq teeft roder their charge, {how thy dutie liy obeying their commando-

ofQnfcience. 127

If God hath bit-fled tfiee with the worlds good aboue therp, (how thy tbankfulnefle , by rclceuing thcirwants. If thou becft aduan- ced to places of honour aboue theni , (how thy reipcft by reue- rencmg their perions, as Salomon did Bitbjh^ . If they happe to b 1>Ki ilippe and fail (as the beft doc) i9. fhow thy loae by coucring their frailties, asS«*and/*/jfc/-didi\fa- ahs nakednejje9. Gtherwife, lookecGen.^ for irreuerence, vnnaturall affe-**- &ion, diiobedience , blazing thy faults , frorn thy children as a iuft recompence returned vnto thee, Laflly,wouldeftthou nothauethy feruants vndutifull , vnfaithfullto thee? when thou (halt come to haueany vnder thee? deale thou then neither vndutifully nor vn- faithfully with thy mafter. In a word, what we would not that o^ .

thers

*|& The (our t

thcrsfliould doeco vs, let vsnot doe to them. For euiil (hall be to the euill doer-, and the diftribu- tiue Iufticeof the Aimjghtie doth mcafure out the like porcion to man , that man meafureth to his brother. ■F/e.2. Secondly, when wrongs are of- fered vs in any kinde by others,- this fhould teach vs to examine and try, whither we benotguiltie of offering the like toothers/Thou complaineft peraduenturc ; No mmfo decerned as lam: but haft thou not beene a deceiuer thy felfe? thou crieftout, none foflan- deredjodifgraced, opprejjedvniuft* ly, whirled a* I haue beene ^ but haft not thou Hindered, difgraced,op- prefled, wroaged others ? Thou makeftthymone, that thou haft a croffe yoake-fellow ouer thou hadft before, before a louing huf-

band.

ofQonfdence. ^9

band, now a cruell one , before a kinde curtcous wife , now an vn- kinde and kird one. But how didft thou vie thy former yoake-fellow, howdcaltelt thou with her, how behaued'ft thou thy felfe towards him? it may be curriftily, crab- bedly. Thou compiaineft of the diibbedience of thy children, how that they will not beconformablc to thee, will not be ruled by thee, they are prodigail againft thy will, ; marry without thy content, and | thou canft not keepe them within compafle- Thou compiaineft of the idlcnefle, and vntruftinefle of thy feruants \ except thy eye be aU waies on them, thou canft haue no worke done by them, thoudareft nottruft them, they are fo lime- fingred, thoudareft fcarcefpeake to them;they are (o faucy tongued. It may be when thou wert in the

con*

140 TbeQurt

condition of a childc , thou were asdifobedient to thy parents, it may be thou haft beene out nights and daics in bafe company a- gainft their liking, it may be thou haft bin ftubborne at their threats, difobedient to their voyce, it may be (without all refped of pietie and honeftie) thou didft match thy felfeagainft their liking. Per- aduentqre, when thou were a fer- uant, thou wert vnruly, vntrufty, idle, faucy thy felfe. Whenthefc and the like wrongs caufethee to complaine; Paufe a little with thy ielfe,and fay ,• Haue not [done thus and thus with ether sHas ethers do with wee: The Lord (thou feeft) doth* requite wrong for wrong, into the bofome of the wrong doer > And itmaybevpon exaraination,thou maieftfinde thy felfe guiltie of the fame offence; If tfa^u doeft, then

giue

ofConfcknce. \^x

giue vnto God the glory of his di- ftributiuc iuftice, and fay as Ado- jiibezck did , when his thumbes and great toes were cutoff. As I hauedone^fo God hath requited me b. b iBdg , Andif thou haft not yet repented, or fo foundly repented a* thou (houldeft, repent at length and ccaie to doe euill in that kinde. But if fo bee vpon examination, thou finde thine owne innocency, orhauing beenc foguiltie haftre- pen ted , and vet art thus and thus wronged ftill, beare thy croiTe with paticnce,befeech God to fan- ftifie it vnto thee , to humble thee by it , and make it apreferuatiue for thee, againft doing the like wrongs thy felfe, though thou (houldeft haue neuer fo fit occafi- ens, acuerfoftrong temptations co the fame. So much for thatdo- $rine.

Then

142 *he Court

Doff. 7. The next and laft thus. thj They that they fhatt finde little pit tie at the l^/wV hm^s of others ml heir diff refect thcrs in huue beene without fittie to their %?<£% bethren, in the time of their di- ftlVizsWt-ftreJJe. This could thcfe brethren tiepitde confeiTe heere. That Jofephs pitti- tfad!*^ kffe carriage, (astheyreceiuedic " at that time) towards them, was caufed by their owne want of pit- tie towards him in the time of his mifery. The comparing of the 157. Pfdlme , with the thirteenth of ifaidhyverfe 18. will make this; good. Out of the former place, wee may gather how pittileffe to thecaptiue Iewes, the Babyloni- ans were flouting andgibering at. c;pfalij7.'.them (c Sing njsorie of the Jongs of tii^ll%J\si0n:) And in the a latter , we Hade: ^howpittilefTe the Medes andPer- fians (hould be to 77/ E J\/,beein2r called vpon by God, by a prophe-

n&tft

of ioji/aence. up

/Ucall Apoftrophe , to da/h their yeng men to pieces before their eyes, tohaue no pit tie on the fruits of their wombe , neither fbould their eye fpare their little children. This particular, hath fame witncflc, from lames' his general I e; Hee*um,u fhall have iudgement -without mer- *$• tie , that hath fhewed no mercie. Becaufe thou haft (foiled many m- tions (faith Habakuck fpeaking to the crucll Chaldeans) that is pic- . tileffcly vfid many people , there- fore the remnant of the people fhall fppjle thee {, yea deale pictileffcly f Hab 24 8 with thee. For when men falltt> thefpoile, then they rage like wilde beafts with little pittie, if with any at all.

A point making much totheyfe x. terrour of all mercilefle and pim~ lefle perfons, who pitcy not the wants of them that are in pouer-

tie,

i44 Jhe i°m

tie, whommdc not the griefrsof them that are in miiery : whfc' threw their brethren into the pit, , tht pnfon for Imall trifles, and will not bee pcrfwaded to rek -ife, them : who haue the cry of in b poore at their gates , ae heir, doores, and will not bemooued to releeue them: who hearethe newes of the troubles of Gods people at this day, founding in their cares , and yet are not pro- uoked to regard them. Is it pro- probable that theie men (hall haue mercie (howne them in the time oi their mifcry? Probable.? no, njs>t poffible , except repentance djarige them , and compa&oiV clpath them to make them -better* \ K I^pf they be bleflid that arc full

l|fet. 1. 7. (Sxrnercie *> , their happinefle part- ly conflfting in this , that theyjhM ohuint menu } then they are wet-

them