A discourse of conscience wherein is set down the nature, properties, and differences thereofA discourse of conscience wherein is set downe the nature, properties, and differences thereof

The second point, namely How far forth mens laws bind conscience, I explain on this manner. It is all that the laws of God do or can do, to bind conscience simply and absolutely. Therefore humane laws bind not simply, but so far forth as they are agreeable to Gods word, serve for the common good, stand with good order, and hinder not the liberty of conscience. The necessity of the law ariseth of the necessity of the good end thereof. And as the end is good and profitable more or less, so is the law it self necessary more or less.

The second point, namely How farreforth mens lawes binde conscience, I explane on this manner. It is all that the lawes of God doe or can doe, to binde conscience simply and absolutely. Therefore humane laws bind not simply, but so farre forth as they are agreeable to Gods word, serue for the cōmongood, stād withgood order, and hinder not the libertie of conscience. The necessitie of the law ariseth of the necessitie of the good end thereof. And as the end is good and profitable more or lesse, so is the law it selfe necessarie more or lesse.

Hence it followeth that a man may do any thing beside humane laws and constitutions without breach of conscience. For if he shall omit the doing of any law I. without hindrance of the end and particular considerations, for which the law was made: II. without offence giving as much as in him lieth: III. without contempt of him that made the law, he is not to be accused of sin. Example. In time of war, the magistrate of a city commands that no man shall open the gates: the end is, that the city and every member thereof may be in safety. Now it falls out that certain citizens being upon occasion without the city, are pursued by the enemy and in danger of their lives. Hereupon some man within openeth the gate to rest them. The question is, whether he have sinned or no. And the truth is, he hath not: because he did not hinder the end of the law, but rather further it, and that without scandal to men, or contempt to the magistrate.

Hence it followeth that a man may doe any thing beside humane lawes and constitutions without breach of conscience. For if he shall omit the doing of any law I. without hindrance of the ende and particular considerations, for which the law was made: II. without offence giuing as much as in him lieth: III. without contempt of him that made the law, he is not to be accused of sinne. Example. In time of warre, the magistrate of a citie commands that no man shall open the gates: the end is, that the citie and euery member thereof may be in safetie. Now it falls out that certaine citizens beeing vpon occasion without the citie, are pursued by the enemie and in daunger of their lifes. Herupon some man within openeth the gate to rese them. The question is, whether he haue sinned or no. And the truth is, he hath not: because he did not hinder the ende of the law, but rather further it, and that without scandal to men, or contempt to the magistrate.