A69129:1090
Conscience with the Power and Cases Thereof
Conscience with the power and cases thereof Divided into V. books. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latin into English, for more public benefit.Conscience with the power and cases thereof Devided into V. bookes. Written by the godly and learned, William Ames, Doctor, and Professor of Divinity, in the famous University of Franeker in Friesland. Translated out of Latine into English, for more publique benefit.
Leiden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639Leyden and London : Imprinted W. Christiaens, E. Griffin, J. Dawson, Anno MDCXXIX 1639
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Qu. 6. Whether any singular and individual action be indifferent?
Qu. 6. Whether any singular and individuall action be indifferent?
10. Ans. First, there be some actions which though they be actions of a man, yet they are not humane actions; such are those which proceed from imagination only, and not from deliberate reason, as the rubbings of mens hands, ⟨p. 90⟩•o scratch the head or beard, to take up a straw, &c. while we are thinking of something else: these actions are not morally good or evil, they want that which is required to make them so, namely counsel and deliberation. For although a man may sin by those actions, as if in time of Prayer he suffer his imagination to wander; and do give way to such toyings as those. Yet these actions considered in themselves are neither good nor evil. It is true these motions are subject to the command of mans will, but yet they are so subject, that they may be exercised without any precedent act of reason: Neither are we bound any further by reason to prevent them; but only so far that they hinder not the duties we are about. So for moving of the eye lids, reason and the will have power to moderate them, but it is not worth the while to take notice how often we wink, if so be we take heed that in such things nothing be done which is undecent, •r against our duty.
10. Ans. First, there be some actions which though they be actions of a man, yet they are not humane actions; such are those which proceed from imagination only, and not from deliberate reason, as the rubbings of mens hands, ⟨p. 90⟩•o scratch the head or beard, to take up a straw, &c. while we are thinking of something else: these actions are not morally good or evill, they want that which is required to make them so, namely counsell and deliberation. For although a man may sin by those actions, as if in time of Prayer he suffer his imagination to wander; and do give way to such toyings as those. Yet these actions considered in themselves are neither good nor evill. It is true these motions are subject to the command of mans will, but yet they are so subject, that they may be exercised without any precedent act of reason: Neither are we bound any further by reason to prevent them; but only so far that they hinder not the duties we are about. So for moving of the eye lids, reason and the will have power to moderate them, but it is not worth the while to take notice how often we winke, if so be we take heed that in such things nothing be done which is undecent, r against our duty.