Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…

The third thing that is to be done to a man who pleads his §3conscience for evil, is, the great snare and danger he brings himself into, is to be declared to him, that by giving way to ⟨p. 34⟩let evil into his conscience, he puts himself into such a condition, as whatsoever he doth, he must needs sin against God, so long as he holds his error: Evil gets into the consciences of many very easily, because they think the dictates of their consciences will be sufficient to bear them out in what they do;¹ but they are deceived, for an erroneous conscience does not bind, you sin notwithstanding your conscience bids you do it; and if you go against this erroneous conscience, you sin too; what a miserable snare is this? you had need look to your selves then, and take heed what you let into your consciences.

The third thing that is to be done to a man who pleads his §3conscience for evill, is, the great snare and danger he brings himself into, is to be declared to him, that by giving way to ⟨p. 34⟩let evill into his conscience, he puts himself into such a condition, as whatsoever he doth, he must needs sin against God, so long as he holds his errour: Evill gets into the consciences of many very easily, because they think the dictates of their consciences will be sufficient to bear them out in what they doe;¹ but they are deceived, for an erroneous conscience does not bind, you sin notwithstanding your conscience bids you do it; and if you goe against this erroneous conscience, you sinne too; what a miserable snare is this? you had need look to your selves then, and take heed what you let into your consciences.

1. 1Conscientia erronea non obligat.