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

Object. 12. Ancient fathers the lights of Gods Church, have always condemned this un•allible & special certainty of saith, which the Protestants hold and maintain. Answ. Though we build not the doctrine of our religion upon the judgements of men, yet we refuse not in this & other points to be beied by the fathers, whose writings well understood, make more for us, then for the Popish religion. And their testimonies commonly alleged to con••te the certainty of special faith, are much abused. I. Many of them serve to prove, that a man cannot judge & disce••e of every particular motion & grace of his heart, of the increase of these graces, and the contrary decrease: of special vices and wants, many whereof are hidden from the understanding. Theodo•et in his comment. 1. Cor. c. 4. I will not (saith he) free my self from sin, but ¹wa•t the sentence of God: for it often falls out that men sin of ignorance, and think that to be equal and just which the God of all sees to be otherwise. August. de verbis dei. serm. 23. Per adu•ture thou finds nothing in thy conscience: but •e f••ds ²something that seeth better. And upon Psal. 41. I know that the justice of my God shall ab•de, but whether mine shall or no I know not: for the saying of the Apostle terrifieth me, He which thinks he stands, let him take heed ⟨p. 136⟩least he fall. Here he speaks of his inward righteousness, and that as it is considered in it self without the assistance of God. For he adds afterward, Therefore because there is no stability in me for my self, nor hope in me for my self, hereupon my soul is troubled for my self. Chysost. homi. 87. on John. I am grieved least peradente