WE are to treat next of that reviewing, which is conversant about our actions and state.

1 I call this a Reviewing, rather then a knowledge, First, because a bare and naked knowledge is not sufficient for this act of Conscience, but things must bee weighed over and over. Secondly, because there is a

knowledge which goeth before, and accompanieth the action, but this Reviewing followeth it.

2 This Reviewing is a reflect act of the Vnderstanding, whereby a man understandeth, and with iudgement, weigheth his owne actions with their circumstances. It is commonly called, Cosideration, or meditatio on our wayes. It is called in the Scripture, A respect or beholding by the mind, Psal. 119. 15. Considering, Psal. 50. 22. Thinking, or thinking againe, Psal. 119. 59. Laying of the heart. Hag. 1. 5. a Saying in the heart, Ierem. 5. 24. Saying to the heart, Hos. 7. 2. Returning to the heart, 1 Kings 6. 47. a Laying to heart, Ier. 12. 11. Mal. 2. 2. and lastly, a Proving or examining of our selues, 2 Cor. 13. 5.

3 The cause of the Reviewing of our actions ought to be, First, a care to please God in all things. Secondly, a feare of sinning: For if we review our actions upon other grounds, it is not an act of Conscience: because it respecteth not the judgement of God; which without doubt, it is necessary an act of Conscience should doe.

4 The manner of this Reviewing doth consist in these two things: First, that wee consider our owne actions, not materially onely, but formally also, that is, that we consider not onely, what we haue done, as it is an action, but likewise what, and after what manner it is done, as it is good or evill. As for example, It is not an Act of Conscience, for a man to thinke, whether he hath overcome his adversary, or not; but whether in so doing, he hath committed murther or not? whether it be just, or unjust, that he hath done? 2. The actions and the rule must be compared together. For as he that speaketh the truth, knoweth not that he speaketh

truth; unlesse he compares his speech with the thing it selfe: So hee that doth well or ill, cannot know the same, unlesse he compare the fact with its proper rule. The rule of this triall or judgement, must not be our natural reason, the custome of others, or the like; but the Law, or revealed will of God; For otherwise Gods judgement is not respected (to which Conscience looketh) but mens.

5 The time which is to be allotted to this Reviewing; In regard of evill deedes, is in Scripture noted, sometimes to be before some threatning of God, 2 Sa. 24. 13. sometimes after a threatning, but before the Iudgement be executed. Mal. 2. 2. and sometime after that God hath inflicted his Iudgements, Hag. 1. 5. but the sooner we goe in hand with it, the more acceptable it is unto God, and more profitable it is unto us. Hence it is, that this Meditation of what we doe dayly, is reckoned amongst the dayly exercises of the godly, Iob 1. 5.

6 Through want of this Reviewing, comes 1. Impenitencie in the greatest sinnes, Isai 44. 18. Eccles. 4. 8. Presumption in greatest misery, Reu. 3. 17. and so great a Stupiditie, that those which know many other things, are altogether ignorant of themselues, and what they doe. Hence it is, that some after they haue sworne rashly, and are admonished of their sinne, almost with the same breath affirme with an oath, that they did not sweare.

7 The peculiar effects of this Reviewing of our waies, are 1. in regard of God, A right judgement of our waies. Ezek. 19. 25. and thankefulnesse. 2. In respect of ourselues, Humility: and 3. In respect of others, Equity and Gentlenesse, Tit. 3. 3. 4.