A09400:280
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
Chapter 4: U. Mans duty touching conscience.Chapter 4: U. Mans dutie touching conscience.
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 fourth, is a sorrow in respect of the punishment of sin, arising of the three former actions. And though this sorrow be no grace; for it befalls as well the wicked, as the godly: yet may it be an occasion of grace, because by the apprehension of Gods anger, we come to the apprehension of his mercy. And it is better that conscience should prick us and wound us and do his worst against us in this life while remedy may be had, then after this life, when remedy is past.
The fourth, is a sorrovv in respect of the punishment of sinne, arising of the three former actiōs. And though this sorrow be no grace; for it befalls as well the wicked, as the godly: yet may it be an occasion of grace, because by the apprehension of Gods anger, we come to the apprehension of his mercie. And it is better that conscience should pricke vs and wound vs and doe his worst against vs in this life while remedie may be had, then after this life, when remedy is past.
Thus much of preparation: now follows the remedy, and the application of it. The remedy is nothing else but the blood or the merits of Christ, who specially in conscience felt the wrath of God, as when he said, my soul is heavy unto death: and his agony was not so much a pain and torment in body, as the apprehension of the fear and anger of God in conscience: and when the holy Ghost saith, that he offered unto ⟨p. 161⟩God prayers with strong cries and was heard from fear, he directly notes the distress and anguish of his most holy conscience for our sins. And as the blood of Christ is an all sufficient remedy, so is it also the alone remedy of all the sores and wounds of conscience. For nothing can stanch or stay the terrors of conscience, but the blood of the immaculate lamb of God: nothing can satisfy the judgement of the conscience, much less the most severe judgement of God; but the only satisfaction of Christ. In the application of the remedy, two things are required: the Gospel preached, and saith: the Gospel is the hand of God that offereth grace to us, and faith is our hand whereby we receive it.