1 COnscience is said to be Evill, either because its Acts are sinnes, or because it brings trouble and sorrow.

2 A Conscience Evill because of sinne in its Acts, is that which giveth not a right and powerful judgement▪ such is the Conscience of all men that are unregenerat, for it is in men according as Originall corruption is. Of this a polluted Conscience is not the smallest part. Tit. 1. 15.

3 The first fault of an evill Conscience is Blindnes, whence it judgeth of Good and Evill no otherwise: then one that is bodily blinde useth to judge of colours: He calleth good evill, and evill good, Esai. 5. 10.

4 The second fault, is a kind of spirituall dulnesse,

whence it neither stirreth up powerfully to that, which it seeth is good, nor draweth backe from that which it acknowledgeth evill, Rom. 1. 18 Which withhold the truth in unrighteousnesse.

5 The third fault, is false-witnesse-bearing, which principally appeareth in Excusing, and Accusing falsely.

6 An Evill Conscience doth Excuse falsely, either when it doth not accuse where it ought, or absolveth and approoveth where it ought to accuse and condemne.

7 The former fault is esteemed as a piece of Religion, by the dangerous Sect of Libertines, who place their chiefe happinesse and perfection to haue the sense of sinne extinguished.

8 It prevaileth also in all those, who being free from great and grosse sinnes, doe seeme unto themselues to be as it were perfect, and not to be blamed for any sin, Luke 18. 20. Marke 10. 20. All these things haue Iobserved from my youth.

9 The second sort of Excusing falsely, when an evill Conscience approoveth, where it ought to condemne; is chiefely to be found in those that are superstitious. They think to be heard through their much babling. Ioh. 16. 2. The time commeth that whosoever killeth you, will thinke that he doth God service, Rom. 10. 2. I beare them record that they haue a zeale of God, but not according to knowledge.

10 A'false Accusation of an evill conscience is, when it accuseth and condemneth, where it ought to excuse: viz. For well doing: Rom. 14. 22. Happy is he that condemneth not himselfe in that thing which he alloweth.

Conscience Evill, through trouble and sorrow is that, which accuseth and condemneth: 1 Iohn 3. 20. If our heart condemne us.

12 When Conscience is evill in this kinde, these affections follow. Sadnesse, Feare, Anguish.

13 This Conscience is honestly good, if it accuse iustly: it is sinnefully evill, if it doe it uniustly.

14 A Conscience evill through trouble, and honestly good, is to be found both in beleevers and unbeleevers. In such as beleeue not, it is a preparation unto true repentance and Faith. Acts 2, 37.

15 A Conscience Evill, both through trouble and sinne, is common also both to beleevers, and those who beleeue not. But in those that beleeue, there is a principle of grace, by strength whereof they are upholden, they wrastle and withstand, and by little and little are healed of it.