A treatise of mans imaginations Showing his natural evil thoughtsA treatise of mans imaginations Shewing his naturall euill thoughts

IV. Point. The examination of our own hearts touching this thought whether it may be found among us or not:¹ doubtless every one will labour to clear himself hereof; And the reason wherewith many do sooth up themselves is this, because they never felt in themselves any such conceits as this, that there is no God. But we may easily deceive our selves herein, for a man cannot always discern what be the thoughts of his own heart: There be in man two kinds of cogitations, or as one may say reasons: the first is a single cogitation, whereby a man simply thinketh, or knoweth, or judgeth this or that; and this is properly called the mind: ⟨p. 52⟩The other is a reflex cogitation or reason, whereby a man judgeth that he knoweth or thinketh this or that; and it is commonly called Conscience. Now since Adams fall, the conscience is corrupt by original sin, as be all other powers of mans soul; whence it cometh to pass, that conscience can not do his duty in giving true testimony concerning mans Imaginations: but a man may think evil, and yet his conscience not tell him: and therefore we may nor say, because we feel not these evil thoughts in us; therefore we have them not, or we are free from them.²

IV. Point. The examination of our owne hearts touching this thought whether it may be found among vs or not:¹ doubtles every one will labour to cleare himselfe hereof; And the reason wherewith many doe sooth vp themselues is this, because they neuer felt in themselues any such conceits as this, that there is no God. But wee may easily deceiue our selues herein, for a man cannot alwaies discerne what bee the thoughts of his owne heart: There be in man two kinds of cogitations, or as one may say reasons: the first is a single cogitation, whereby a man simply thinketh, or knoweth, or iudgeth this or that; and this is properly called the mind: ⟨p. 52⟩The other is a reflex cogitatiō or reason, whereby a man iudgeth that he knoweth or thinketh this or that; and it is commonly called Conscience. Now since Adams fall, the conscience is corrupt by originall sinne, as be all other powers of mans soule; whēce it commeth to passe, that conscience can not doe his dutie in giuing true testimonie concerning mans Imaginations: but a man may thinke euill, and yet his conscience not tell him: and therefore wee may nor say, because wee feele not these euill thoughts in vs; therefore we haue them not, or we are free from them.