A09400:252
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.
The second office of conscience ••generate is to excuse that is, to •eare & defend a man even before God against all his enemies both bodily and ghostly. Psal. 7. 8. Judge thou […], O Lord, according to my righteousness, & according to mine i•ie in me. Again 26. 1, 2. Judge me O Lord, for I have walked in mine […], &c. Prove me, O Lord, and me me: examine […] and my heart. That the conscience can do this, […] specially appears in the conflict & combat made by it against the devil on this manner.
The second office of conscience ••generate is to excuse that is, to •eare & defend a man euen before God against all his enemies both bodily and ghostly. Psal. 7. 8. Iudge thou 〈…〉, O Lord, according to my righteousnes, & according to mine i•ie in me. Again 26. 1, 2. Iudge me O Lord, for I have walked in mine 〈…〉, &c. Prooue me, O Lord, and me me: examine 〈…〉 and my heart. That the conscience can do this, 〈…〉 specially appeares in the conflict & combat made by it against the deuill on this maner.
The devil begins and disputes thus. Thou, O wretched man art a most grievous sinner: therefore thou art but a damned wretch. The conscience answereth and saith, I know that Christ hath made a satisfaction for my sins, and freed me from damnation. The devil replieth again thus: Though Christ have freed thee from death by his death: yet thou art quite barred from heaven because thou never did••st fulfil the law. The conscience answereth, I know that Christ is my righteousness and hath fulfilled the law for me. Thirdly the devil replies and saith, Christs benefits belong not to thee, thou art but an hypocrite and wantest faith. Now when a man is driven to this straight, it is neither wit, nor learning, nor favour, nor honour that can repulse this temptation, but only the poor conscience directed and sanctified by the spirit of God which boldly and constantly answereth, I know that I believe.