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

By this first duty of conscience, we are to learn three things. The first, that there is a God: and we may be lead to the sight of this even by very reason. For conscience bears witness. Of what? Of thy particular doings. But against whom or with whom doth it give testimony? thou mayest feel in thy heart that it doth it ⟨p. 9⟩either with thee or against thee. And to whom is it a witness? To men or Angels? that can not be, for they can not hear the voice of conscience, they can not receive consciences testimony, nay they can not see what is in the heart of man. It remains therefore that there is a spiritual substance, most wise, most holy, most mighty, that sees a I things to whom conscience bears record; and that is God himself. Let Atheists bark against this as long as they will: they have that in them which will convince them of the truth of the godhead will they nill they, either in life or death.

By this first dutie of conscience, we are to learne three things. The first, that there is a God: and we may be lead to the sight of this euen by very reason. For conscience beares witnesse. Of what? Of thy particular doings. But against whome or with whome doth it giue testimonie? thou maist feele in thy heart that it doth it ⟨p. 9⟩either with thee or against thee. And to whom is it a witnesse? To men or Angels? that can not be, for they can not heare the voice of conscience, they can not receiue consciences testimony, nay they can not see what is in the heart of man. It remaines therefore that there is a spirituall substance, most wise, most holy, most mighty, that sees a I things to whom conscience beares record; and that is God himselfe. Let Atheists barke against this as long as they will: they haue that in them which will convince them of the truth of the godhead will they nill they, either in life or death.

Secondly we learn, that God doth watch over all men by a special providence. The master of a prison is known by this to have care over his prisoners, if he send keepers with them to watch them and to bring them home again in time convenient: and so Gods care to man is manifest in this, that when he created man and placed him in the world, he gave him conscience to be his keeper to follow him always at the heels & to dog him (as we say) & to pry into his actions & to bear witness of them all.