A69129:117
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.
First, in all those doubts which do any way belong to our practise, diligent enquiry is to be made, that we may clearly perceive the truth and not doubt; because while the mind remains in doubt, the action must of necessity want that perfection which it would have, if it were done with Knowledge, and certainty of judgement. ⟨p. 18⟩For the more certain our knowledge is, touching those things which we do, the more confident we are in doing, and more joyful when we have done them.
First, in all those doubts which doe any way belong to our practise, diligent enquiry is to be made, that we may clearely perceiue the truth and not doubt; because while the minde remaines in doubt, the action must of necessity want that perfection which it would haue, if it were done with Knowledge, and certainty of judgement. ⟨p. 18⟩For the more certaine our knowledge is, touching those things which we doe, the more confident we are in doing, and more ioyfull when wee haue done them.
2 Oft times it is lawful to do a thing, though a speculative doubt remain, because he that doth so, doth not necessarily do either against a doubting Conscience, nor without a persuaded Conscience; for notwithstanding that speculative doubt, he may assuredly conclude with himself; that, that which he doth, ought to be done. As for example, A man possesseth a piece of ground lawfully, and begins to doubt whether it be his own or not; yet if he know not, that it belongs to any other body, he may lawfully keep the same still, because other things being considered, possession is a better ground to keep it, then doubting is to leave it.
2 Oft times it is lawful to do a thing, though a speculatiue doubt remaine, because he that doth so, doth not necessarily doe either against a doubting Conscience, nor without a perswaded Conscience; for notwithstanding that speculatiue doubt, he may assuredly conclude with himselfe; that, that which hee doth, ought to be done. As for example, A man possesseth a peice of ground lawfully, and begins to doubt whether it be his owne or not; yet if he know not, that it belongs to any other body, he may lawfully keepe the same still, because other things being considered, possession is a better ground to keepe it, then doubting is to leaue it.