Thirdly, Because conscience doth thus witness with God, and as it were in Gods stead; Hence it is, That is hath such a command and power over a man, that we must not go against conscience: We may go against our wills, against our affection, but we must ⟨p. 225⟩not go against our consciences, no not when they are erroneous, and though they dictate sin, as Rom. 14. ult. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin; and be that doubteth, is condemned; conscience is but an inferior Judge, God and the Scripture are superior to it; so that when conscience prescribeth any thing, and we come to know it is against Gods Word, then we are to reject it, as the inferior Magistrates command is made void, when the superior doth countermand; but while the practical dictate of conscience doth abide, and we know not that God doth forbid it, then we must not go against it; and the reason is, because it witnesseth to our apprehension with God; and therefore to go against it, though it may not be materially a sin, because in an error, and in a delusion, yet formally it is, because we contemn God and his Authority over us: The very Heathen could say, [Greek or Hebrew], conscience is a God to every man. It is true, that Atheistical Writer, (lib de Cive.) As he doth most profanely determine, That it is a seditious opinion, to hold faith and holiness are supernaturally infused and inspired; so also to hold, that to discern between good and bad, just and unjust, is a duty belonging to the conscience of private men, in what they are to act. What is this, but to reach men Atheism by art and precepts? As Logic and Philosophy are taught, and doth it not condemn the whole Doctrine of the Gospel, as being incompatible with obedience to Magistrates. Seeing then that conscience is thus left in a man with so great power and authority, seeing by it, good is to be done, and sin avoided, the pollution of it will be the more dreadful, and lamentable: what hope is there of mans power to convert himself to God, when the conscience is thus wasted by sin? If the watchman be blind, if the witness be dumb, if the judge be corrupted, How can any saying reformation be upon us? If the fault be unsavoury, which is to season other things, what is it good for, but to be cast away? this shipwreck of a good conscience, which all made in Adam will undo us for ever, were not grace interposing.
Thirdly, Because conscience doth thus witnes with God, and as it were in Gods stead; Hence it is, That is hath such a command and power over a man, that we must not go against conscience: We may go against our wils, against our affection, but we must ⟨p. 225⟩not go against our consciences, no not when they are erroneous, and though they dictate sinne, as Rom. 14. ult. Whatsoever is not of faith is sinne; and be that doubteth, is condemned; conscience is but an inferior Judge, God and the Scripture are superior to it; so that when conscience prescribeth any thing, and we come to know it is against Gods Word, then we are to reject it, as the inferior Magistrates command is made void, when the superior doth countermand; but while the practical dictate of conscience doth abide, and we know not that God doth forbid it, then we must not go against it; and the reason is, because it witnesseth to our apprehension with God; and therefore to go against it, though it may not be materially a sinne, because in an error, and in a delusion, yet formally it is, because we contemne God and his Authority over us: The very Heathen could say, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, conscience is a God to every man. It is true, that Atheistical Writer, (lib de Cive.) As he doth most prophanely determine, That it is a seditious opinion, to hold faith and holiness are supernaturally infused and inspired; so also to hold, that to discern between good and bad, just and unjust, is a duty belonging to the conscience of private men, in what they are to act. What is this, but to reach men Atheism by art and precepts? As Logick and Philosophy are taught, and doth it not condemne the whole Doctrine of the Gospel, as being incompatible with obedience to Magistrates. Seeing then that conscience is thus left in a man with so great power and authority, seeing by it, good is to be done, and sinne avoided, the pollution of it will be the more dreadfull, and lamentable: what hope is there of mans power to convert himself to God, when the conscience is thus wasted by sinne? If the watchman be blind, if the witness be dumb, if the judge be corrupted, How can any saying reformation be upon us? If the falt be unsavoury, which is to season other things, what is it good for, but to be cast away? this shipwrack of a good conscience, which all made in Adam will undo us for ever, were not grace interposing.
