§. Sect. 1 That a good conscience wit∣nesseth vnto vs our sancti∣fication.
And as the conscience thus beareth witnesse of our iustification, and reconciliation, so also of our sanctification, namely, that being freed from sinne, we are become seruants of righteousnesse, and not onely deliuered from the guilt and punishment of finne, but also from the corruption, power, and dominion of it, so that though it dwell in vs, as a trayterous slaue, yet it doth not raigne and rule in vs, as in times past. And though we be not wholly freed from all reliques of sinne and corruption, nor can performe vnto God that perfect obedience which the Law requireth; yet our consciences giue in euidence with vs, that wee are in part sanctified, and shall in Gods good time haue this worke thorowly perfected, and that in the meane while, we hate the euill wee doe, and loue the good we doe not, delighting in the Law of God in the inner man, euen when we are led captiue vnto sinne; that we desire and resolue to please God in all things, and indeuour in the vse of all good meanes, to haue our desires sa∣tisfied; and consequently, that we performe that Euangelicall obedience which God requireth, and are through Christ accepted of him. In which regard we may say with Paul, from the time of our effectuall calling, that we haue liued with all good conscience vntill this day. Againe, a good consci∣ence is our warrant for all our actions, testifying vnto vs, that what wee haue done, and are about to doe, is commanded of God, whereby we are comforted in those duties which we haue performed, and incouraged to proceede in well-doing, because we doe not our owne will, but the will of God. And though our actions bee imperfect in themselues, yet being done in sincerity and with vpright hearts, we shall not be discouraged in the sight and sense of our imperfections, yea, rather we shall find cause of reioycing and glorying in them, because being done with a good consci∣ence, it will iustifie and giue witnesse vnto vs, that wee are also iustified and approoued of God, and haue both our persons and workes accepted of him through Iesus Christ; according to that of the Apostle Iohn, If our heart condemne vs not, then haue wee confidence towards God. And this made the Apostle Paul most gladly to glory in his infirmities, which other∣wise in themselues would haue beene a cause of griefe and mourning; and to reioyce in the conscience of his well-doing, which in respect of the im∣perfections euen of his best actions, would haue filled his face with blush∣ing,