A09400:172
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.
By this we may see the goodness of God to all men. If a man being to make an unknown journey, should find one that would go with him and show him the way, with all the turnings thereof, he could not but take it for a great point of courtesy. We are pilgrims in this world, our life is our journey. God also hath appointed our conscience to be our companion and guide, to show us what course we may take and what we may not.
By this we may see the goodnes of God to all men. If a man beeing to make an vnknowne iourney, should finde one that would goe with him and shew him the way, with al the turnings thereof, he could not but take it for a great point of curtosie. Wee are pilgrimes in this world, our life is our iourney. God also hath appointed our conscience to be our companion and guide, to shew vs what course we may take and what we may not.
And here it must be noted, that in all things to be done, conscience is of great force & bears a great stroke. For, This is the beginning of a good work, that the conscience first of all give her judgement truly, that the thing may be done, and is acceptable to God. Rom. 14. 23. Whatsoever is not of faith, that is, whatsoever is not done of a settled persuasion in judgement and conscience out of Gods word, howsoever men judge of it, is sin. Again, God regards not the outward pomp of the action or the doer, but obedience and especially the obedience of the heart: therefore unless the conscience first of all approve the thing to be good and agreeable to Gods will, it can be nothing else but a sin. And he that shall do a ⟨p. 91⟩thing, because it is good in his own eyes, not knowing that God doeth allow of it, prefers him-self before God, and disobeys him as the servant that in his masters house will not do his masters will but his own will.
And here it must be noted, that in all things to be done, conscience is of great force & beares a great stroke. For, This is the beginning of a good vvorke, that the conscience first of all give her iudgement truely, that the thing may be done, and is acceptable to God.