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

In the preparation, four things are required. The first is, the knowledge of the law, and the particular commandments thereof, whereby we are taught what is good, what is bad: what may be done, and what may not be done.

In the preparation, foure things are required. The first is, the knowledge of the lawe, and the particular commaundements thereof, whereby we are taught what is good, what is badde: what may be done, and what may not be done.

The men of our days, that they may have the right knowledge of the law, must lay aside many erroneous and foolish opinions, which they hold flat against the true meaning of the law of God: otherwise they can never be able to discern between sin and no sin. Their especial and common opinions are these: I. That they can love God with all their hearts, and their neighbours as themselves; that they fear God above all, and trust in him alone; and that they ever did so. II. That to rehearse the Lords prayer, the belief, and 10. commandments, (without understanding of the words, & without affection) is the true and whole worship of God. III. That a man may seek to wizards and soothsayers without offences because God hath provided a salve for every sore. IV. That to swear by good things and in the way of truth, cannot be a sin. V. That a man going ⟨p. 158⟩about his ordinary affairs at home or abroad on the sabbath day, may as well serve God as they which hear all the sermons in the world. VI. That religion and the practise thereof, is nothing but an affected preciseness; that covetousness the root of evil, is nothing but worldliness; that pride is nothing but a care of honesty and cleanliness, that single fornication is nothing but the trick of youth; that swearing and blaspheming argue the courageous mind of a brave gentleman. VII. That a man may do with his own what he will, and make as much of it as he can. Hence arise all the frauds and bad practises in traffic between man and man.

The men of our daies, that they may haue the right knowledge of the law, must lay aside many erronious and foolish opinions, which they hold flat against the true meaning of the law of God: otherwise they can neuer be able to discerne betweene sinne and no sinne. Their especiall and common opinions are these: I. That they can loue God with all their hearts, and their neighbours as themselues; that they feare God aboue all, and trust in him alone; and that they euer did so. II. That to rehearse the Lordes prayer, the beleefe, and 10. commaundements, (without vnderstanding of the words, & without affection) is the true and whole worship of God. III. That a man may seeke to wizzards and soothsayers without offences because God hath prouided a salue for euery sore. IV. That to sweare by good things and in the way of truth, cannot be a sinne. V. That a man going