A Golden Chain

The second, whatsoever thing is done in, or with an erroneous conscience, it is a sin. For example: in the Primitive Church divers of the gentiles held this error, that fornication was a thing indifferent, and therefore conscience told them that they might do it: and yet nevertheless fornication in them was a sin, because conscience erred in her judgement. And evil remains evil, though conscience say the contrary a thousand times.

The second, whatsoeuer thing is done in, or with an erronious conscience, it is a sinne. For example: in the Primitiue Church diuers of the gentiles held this errour, that fornication was a thing indifferent, and therefore conscience tolde them that they might doe it: and yet neuerthelesse fornication in them was a sinne, because conscience erred in her iudgement. And euill remaines euill, though conscience say the contrarie a thousand times.

The third, what is done ^aagainst conscience though it err and be deceived, it is sin in the doer. Example. An Anabaptist holding it utterly unlawful to swear, is brought before a magistrate; and urged either through fear or some like cause, takes an oath and that against his own conscience: now the question is, whether he hath sinned or no? Ans. He hath indeed sinned; not so much because he hath taken an oath, for that is the ordinance of God: but because he hath taken an oath in a bad manner, that is, against his conscience, & therefore not in faith.

The third, what is done ^aagainst conscience though it erre and bee deceiued, it is sin in the doer. Example. An Anabaptist holding it vtterly vnlawful to sweare, is brought before a magistrate; and vrged either through feare or some like cause, takes an oath and that against his owne conscience: nowe the question is, whether he hath sinned or no? Ans. Hee hath indeede sinned; not so much because hee hath taken an oath, for that is the ordinance of God: but because hee hath taken an oath in a bad manner, that is, against his conscience, & therfore not in faith.