A09400:253
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 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.
The deuill begins and disputes thus. Thou, O wretched man art a most grieuous sinner: therefore thou art but a damned wretch. The conscience answereth and saith, I know that Christ hath made a satisfaction for my sinnes, and freed me from damnation. The deuill replyeth againe thus: Though Christ haue freed thee from death by his death: yet thou art quite barred from heauen because thou neuerr did••st fulfill the lawe. The conscience answereth, I knowe that Christ is my righteousnesse and hath fulfilled the lawe for me. Thirdly the deuill replies and saith, Christs benefites belong not to thee, thou art but an hypocrite and wantest faith. Now when a man is driuen to this straight, it is neither wit, nor learning, nor fauour, nor honour that can repulse this temptation, but onely the poore conscience directed and sanctified by the spirit of God which boldly and constantly answereth, I know that I beleeve.
And though it be the office of conscience […] it is once •d principally to excuse, yet doth it also in part accuse. When David had •d the people his heart s• him.