Now the reason why Conscience stirs so little in the most men, is not to be taken from the nature of Conscience, (for that can work all works mentioned before) but from divers things in man. For first, Adams sin, as it deprived all mens Consciences of original righteousness, which was the life of the Conscience; so it brought such a depravation and evil disease upon the Conscience, that it was never healed, nor cured in the natural man to this day: but the weakness arising from the infection, ⟨p. 763⟩holds him down still. Secondly, the general ignorance and darkness, which is in the world, is one great cause, why Conscience lieth so miserably weak, and neglected. For it cannot work for want of light. For in the mind it finds only a few natural principles, or some general truths of religion, wch are altogether insufficient to direct in the particular occasions of mens lives. Thirdly, besides, the Law of nature is corrupted in man; and so those principles are very muddy and uncertain, and the generals of Religion are poisoned with secret Objections gathered from the controversies of so many false religions. Fourthly, further it is manifest, that the cares and pleasures of life oppress conscience in many, & in them Conscience stirs not, not because it cannot stir, but because there is no leisure to hear what it saith; men are so violently carried to the pleasures and business of this world. As a man that runs in a race, many times runs with such violence, that he cannot hear what is said unto him by some that he passeth by, though it were counsel, that might direct him in the right way of the race: So is it with men that haste to be rich: Conscience often calls to them, to take heed of going out of the way, by deceit, or lying, or oppression, or the like; But they pursue riches so violently, that they cannot hear the voice of Conscience. And so is it with the voluptuous person, and with the most men that live in any habitual gainful sin. Fifthly, yea this weakness comes upon the Conscience of some, by custom of sins, that are not ⟨p. 764⟩sins of gain, or pleasure, as the sins of negligence, slothfulness, passion, or the like, in which men are wilfully confirmed, and will not regard the checks of their own conscience.
Now the reason why Conscience stirs so little in the most men, is not to bee taken from the nature of Conscience, (for that can work all works mentioned before) but from diuers things in man. For first, Adams sin, as it depriued all mens Consciences of originall righteousnes, which was the life of the Conscience; so it brought such a deprauation and euill disease vpon the Conscience, that it was neuer healed, nor cured in the naturall man to this day: but the weaknes arising from the infection, ⟨p. 763⟩holds him downe still. Secondly, the generall ignorance and darknes, which is in the world, is one great cause, why Conscience lieth so miserably weak, and neglected. For it cannot work for want of light. For in the minde it findes onely a few naturall principles, or some generall truthes of religiō, wch are altogether insufficient to direct in the particular occasions of mens liues. Thirdly, besides, the Law of nature is corrupted in man; and so those principles are very muddy and vncertaine, and the generals of Religion are poysoned with secret Obiections gathered from the controuersies of so many false religions. Fourthly, further it is manifest, that the cares and pleasures of life oppress conscience in many, & in them Conscience stirs not, not because it cannot stir, but because there is no leasure to heare what it saith; men are so violently carried to the pleasures and busines of this world. As a man that runs in a race, many times runs with such violence, that hee cannot heare what is said vnto him by some that he passeth by, though it were counsell, that might direct him in the right way of the race: So is it with men that haste to be rich: Conscience often calls to them, to take heed of going out of the way, by deceit, or lying, or oppression, or the like; But they pursue riches so violently, that they cannot heare the voice of Conscience. And so is it with the voluptuous person, and with the most men that liue in any habituall gainfull sinne. Fiftly, yea this weaknes comes vpon the Conscience of some, by custome of sinnes, that are not ⟨p. 764⟩sinnes of gaine, or pleasure, as the sinnes of negligence, slothfulnes, passion, or the like, in which men are wilfully confirmed, and will not regard the checks of their owne conscience.
