A09400:7
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.
OF CONSCIENCE.
CAP. I. What conscience is.
Conscience is a part of the understanding in all reasonable creatures, determining of their particular actions either with them or against them.
COnscience is a part of the vnderstanding in all reasonable creatures, determining of their particular actions either with them or against them.
I say conscience is a part of the understanding, and I show it thus. God in framing of the soul placed in it two principal faculties, Understanding and Will. Understanding is that faculty in the sole whereby we use reason: and it is the more principal part serving to rule and order the whole man, and therefore it is placed in the soul to be as the wagoner in the wagon. The Will is an other faculty, whereby we do will or nill any thing, that is, choose or refuse it. With the will is joined sundry affections, as joy, sorrow, love, ha••ed, &c. ⟨p. 2⟩whereby we embrace or eschew that which is good or evil. Now, conscience is not placed in the affections nor will, but in the understanding, because the actions thereof stand in the use of reason. Understanding again hath two parts. The first is that which stands in the view and contemplation of truth and falsehood, and goes no further. The second is that which stands in the view and consideration of every particular action, to search whether it be good or bad. The first is called the Theoretical, the second the practical understanding. And under this latter is conscience to be comprehended: because his property is to judge of the goodness or badness of things or actions done.