A09400:111
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
A discourse of conscience wherein is set down the nature, properties, and differences thereof: as also the way to get and keep good conscience.A discourse of conscience wherein is set downe the nature, properties, and differences thereof: as also the way to get and keepe good conscience.
Cambridge: printed by John Legate, 1596Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legate, 1596
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 res•e 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.
And this stands even by the equity of Gods word. God made a law, that the priests only should eat of the shewbread: now David being no priest, did upon urgent occasion eat of it without sin. If this be true in Gods law, then it may also be true in the laws of men, that they may in some cases be omitted without ⟨p. 66⟩