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

Argum. 5. Men in making laws are subject to ignorance and error: and therefore when they have made a law (as near as possible they can) agreeable to the equity of Gods law, yet can they not assure themselves and others that they have failed in no point or circumstance. Therefore it is against reason that humane laws being subject to defects, faults, errors, and manifold imperfections, should truly bind conscience, as Gods laws do which are the rule of righteousness. All governors in the world, ⟨p. 59⟩upon their daily experience see and acknowledge this to be true which I say, (by reason that to their old laws, they are constrained to put restrictions, ampliations, modifications of all kinds, with new readings and interpretations) saving the Bishop of Rome (so falsely termed) which persuades himself to have when he is in his consistory, such an infallible assistance of the spirit that he can not possibly err in judgement.

Argum. 5. Men in making lawes are subiect to ignorance and errour: and therefore when they haue made a law (as neare as possible they can) agreeable to the equitie of Gods law, yet can they not assure themselues and others that they haue failed in no point or circumstance. Therefore it is against reason that humane laws beeing subiect to defects, faults, errours, and manifold imperfections, should truly bind conscience, as Gods lawes doe which are the rule of righteousnes. All gouernours in the world, ⟨p. 59⟩vpon their daily experience see and acknowledge this to be true which I say, (by reason that to their olde lawes, they are constrained to put restrictions, ampliations, modifications of all kindes, with new readings and interpretations) saving the Bishop of Rome (so falsly tearmed) which perswades himselfe to haue when he is in his consistorie, such an infallible assistance of the spirite that he can not possibly erre in iudgement.

Argum. 6. If mens laws by inward virtue bind conscience properly as Gods laws, then our duty is to learn, study, and remember them as well as Gods laws, yea ministers must be diligent to preach them, as they are diligent in preaching the doctrine of the Gospel: because every one of them binds to mortal sin, as the Papists teach. But that they should be taught and learned as Gods laws, it is most absurd in the judgement of all men, Papists themselves not excepted.