A09400:43
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.
Moral law concerns duties of love partly to God & partly towards our neighbour •t is contained 1in the decalogue or 10. commandments: & it is the very law of nature written in all men• heart• (for substance though not for the m•ner of propounding of it) in the creation of man: & therefore it binds the consciences of all men at all times, even of blind and ignorant persons that neither know the most of it nor care to know it. Yet here must be remembered 3. exceptions or cautions. I. When two commandments of the moral law are opposite in respect of v•so as we can not do them both at the same time: then the lesser commandment gives place to the greater & doth not bind for that instant. Example. I. God commands one thing, & the magistrate commands the flat contrary: in this case which of these two commandments must be obeyed, Honour God, or, bHonour the Magistrate? the answer is, that the latter must give place to the former, & the former must only be ⟨p. 15⟩obeyed. Act. 4. 19. Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather the• God judge ye. II. The 4. commandment prescribes rest on the Sabbath day▪ now it […] out that at the same time a whole tow• […] set on fire, and the sixth commandment requires our help in saving our neighbours life & goods. Now of these two commandments which must be obeyed? for both can not. The answer is, that the fourth commandment at this time is to give place, & the sixth commandment alone binds the conscience: so as then (if need should require) a man might labour all the day without offence to God. Matt. 9. 13. I will have mercy & not sacrifice. And the rule must not be omitted, That charity towards our neighbour is subordinate to the Love of God, & therefore must give place to it. For this cause the commandment concerning Charity must give place to the commandment concerning love to god: & when the case so falls out, that we must either offend our neighbour or God, we must rather offend our neighbour then God.