A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

2 They may be guilty of less or more ignorance, in respect of the degree; so some men are absolutely ignorant, others are doubtful only, and not confirmed in the knowledge of the truths of God, who yet have not contrary impressions of these things, as others have.

3 There are divers kinds of ignorance in men, some are guilty of wilful ignorance, some are negligent, and some (even the best) are labouring under the remainder of natural blindness, who yet are not negligent.

If it be asked whether ignorance can excuse a man, and how far it excuseth. Ans. 1. There is no ignorance (properly so called) that excuseth wholly, pro toto, it being of it self sinful, and men being obliged to know what is sin, and what not; neither can ever men do that out of Faith, which they do in ignorance, and know not if it be in it self sinful or lawful: this is to be understood ⟨p. 46⟩in resp •ct of ignorantia Juris, non facti, of the ignorance of the Law, and not of the ignorance of the Fact, (as they call it;) for men may sometimes be ignorant of this, and yet be Innocent; as when one is cutting with an Axe, and it falleth off the Helve, &c. but in respect of the Law, there is no invincible ignorance that can excuse any for their not knowing God's mind, because they are obliged to know it.