A09400:39
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.
Conscience is said to be bound as it is considered a part by it self from the binding power of gods commandment. For then it hath liberty & is not bound either to accuse or excuse, but is apt to do either of them indifferently but when the binding power is set once over the conscience, then in every action it must needs either accuse or excuse: even as a man in a city or town having his liberty, may go up & down or not go, where & when he will: but if his body be attached by the magistrate & imprisoned, then his former liberty is restrained, & he can go up and down but within the prison or some other allowed place.
Conscience is said to be bound as it is considered a part by it selfe from the binding power of gods cōmandement. For then it hath liberty & is not bound either to accuse or excuse, but is apt to do either of them indifferently but when the binding power is set once ouer the cōsciēce, thē in euery actiō it must needs either accuse or excuse: euē as a man in a city or town hauing his liberty, may go vp & down or not go, where & when he will: but if his body be attached by the magistrate & imprisoned, thē his former liberty is restrained, & he can go up and downe but within the prison or some other allowed place.
The binder of conscience is either proper or improper. Proper is that thing which hath absolute and sovereign power in it self to bind the conscience. And that is the word of God written in the books of the old & new Testamē •. ⟨p. 12⟩Reason. I. He which is the Lord of […] by his word and laws binds con•: but God is the only Lord of conscience▪ because he once created it, and he alone govern […] none but he knows it. Therefore his word and laws only bind conscience properly. II. […] which hath power to s••e or destroy the […] for the keeping or breaking of his laws, •ath absolute power to bind the soul and consence by the same laws: but the first is true of God alone,