A69129:1125
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. 4. Is all delight in an unlawful thing sinful?
Qu. 4. Is all delight in an unlawfull thing sinfull?
4. Ans. Yes, if 1. It be in an unlawful thing or an evil1 action as its unlawful and evil, 2. If it proceed from an affection tending and inclining towards such things, or from any unlawful provocation, 3. If it be such a delight as in its own nature may have the force of a cause, or an occasion to stir up evil affections. In these three cases it cannot be doubted but such a delight is a sin▪ But if one be delighted in the thought of an evil thing not as it is evil, but as there is some natural perfection exercised, and put forth in it, without any danger of consenting to the evil, such a delight is not simply, and of its self a sin. As when one takes delight in that cunning dexterity, constancy, and courage, which appears in another, in an unjust duel: the reason is because this delight is not properly, and formally conversant about an evil thing but about a good thing.
4. Ans. Yes, if 1. It be in an unlawfull thing or an evill1 action as its unlawfull and evill, 2. If it proceed from an affection tending and inclining towards such things, or from any unlawfull provocation, 3. If it be such a delight as in its owne nature may have the force of a cause, or an occasion to stir up evill affections. In these three cases it cannot be doubted but such a delight is a sin▪ But if one be delighted in the thought of an evill thing not as it is evill, but as there is some naturall perfection excercised, and put forth in it, without any danger of consenting to the evill, such a delight is not simply, and of its selfe a sinne. As when one takes delight in that cunning dexterity, constancy, and courage, which appeares in another, in an unjust duell: the reason is because this delight is not properly, and formally conversant about an evill thing but about a good thing.