A69129:218
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
Book 1 › Chapter 14: Of an evil Conscience.Book 1 › Chapter 14: Of an evill Conscience.
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.
CHAP. XIV. Of an evil Conscience.
CHAP. XIV. Of an evill Conscience.
1 Conscience is said to be Evil, either because its Acts are sins, or because it brings trouble and sorrow.
1 COnscience is said to be Evill, either because its Acts are sinnes, or because it brings trouble and sorrow.
2 A Conscience Evil because of sin in its Acts, is that which giveth not a right and powerful judgement▪ such is the Conscience of all men that are unregenerate, for it is in men according as Original corruption is. Of this a polluted Conscience is not the smallest part. Tit. 1. 15.
2 A Conscience Evill because of sinne in its Acts, is that which giveth not a right and powerful judgement▪ such is the Conscience of all men that are unregenerat, for it is in men according as Originall corruption is. Of this a polluted Conscience is not the smallest part. Tit. 1. 15.
3 The first fault of an evil Conscience is Blindness, whence it judgeth of Good and Evil no otherwise: then one that is bodily blind useth to judge of colours: He calleth good evil, and evil good, Isaiah. 5. 10.
3 The first fault of an evill Conscience is Blindnes, whence it judgeth of Good and Evill no otherwise: then one that is bodily blinde useth to judge of colours: He calleth good evill, and evill good, Esai. 5. 10.
4 The second fault, is a kind of spiritual dullness, ⟨p. 41⟩whence it neither stirreth up powerfully to that, which it seeth is good, nor draweth back from that which it acknowledgeth evil, Rom. 1. 18 Which withhold the truth in unrighteousness.
4 The second fault, is a kind of spirituall dulnesse, ⟨p. 41⟩whence it neither stirreth up powerfully to that, which it seeth is good, nor draweth backe from that which it acknowledgeth evill, Rom. 1. 18 Which withhold the truth in unrighteousnesse.
5 The third fault, is false-witness-bearing, which principally appeareth in Excusing, and Accusing falsely.
5 The third fault, is false-witnesse-bearing, which principally appeareth in Excusing, and Accusing falsely.
6 An Evil Conscience doth Excuse falsely, either when it doth not accuse where it ought, or absolveth and approveth where it ought to accuse and condemn.
6 An Evill Conscience doth Excuse falsely, either when it doth not accuse where it ought, or absolveth and approoveth where it ought to accuse and condemne.
7 The former fault is esteemed as a piece of Religion, by the dangerous Sect of Libertines, who place their chief happiness and perfection to have the sense of sin extinguished.
7 The former fault is esteemed as a piece of Religion, by the dangerous Sect of Libertines, who place their chiefe happinesse and perfection to haue the sense of sinne extinguished.
8 It prevaileth also in all those, who being free from great and gross sins, do seem unto themselves to be as it were perfect, and not to be blamed for any sin, Luke 18. 20. Mark 10. 20. All these things have I observed from my youth.
8 It prevaileth also in all those, who being free from great and grosse sinnes, doe seeme unto themselues to be as it were perfect, and not to be blamed for any sin, Luke 18. 20. Marke 10. 20. All these things haue Iobserved from my youth.
9 The second sort of Excusing falsely, when an evil Conscience approveth, where it ought to condemn; is chiefly to be found in those that are superstitious. They think to be heard through their much babbling. Joh. 16. 2. The time cometh that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth God service, Rom. 10. 2. I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
9 The second sort of Excusing falsely, when an evill Conscience approoveth, where it ought to condemne; is chiefely to be found in those that are superstitious. They think to be heard through their much babling. Ioh. 16. 2. The time commeth that whosoever killeth you, will thinke that he doth God service, Rom. 10. 2. I beare them record that they haue a zeale of God, but not according to knowledge.
10 A false Accusation of an evil conscience is, when it accuseth and condemneth, where it ought to excuse: viz. For well doing: Rom. 14. 22. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
10 A'false Accusation of an evill conscience is, when it accuseth and condemneth, where it ought to excuse: viz. For well doing: Rom. 14. 22. Happy is he that condemneth not himselfe in that thing which he alloweth.
Conscience Evil, through trouble and sorrow is that, which accuseth and condemneth: 1 John 3. 20. If our heart condemn us.
Conscience Evill, through trouble and sorrow is that, which accuseth and condemneth: 1 Iohn 3. 20. If our heart condemne us.
12 When Conscience is evil in this kind, these affections follow. Sadness, Fear, Anguish.
12 When Conscience is evill in this kinde, these affections follow. Sadnesse, Feare, Anguish.
13 This Conscience is honestly good, if it accuse justly: it is sinfully evil, if it do it unjustly.
13 This Conscience is honestly good, if it accuse iustly: it is sinnefully evill, if it doe it uniustly.
14 A Conscience evil through trouble, and honestly good, is to be found both in believers and unbelievers. In such as believe not, it is a preparation unto true repentance and Faith. Acts 2, 37.
14 A Conscience evill through trouble, and honestly good, is to be found both in beleevers and unbeleevers. In such as beleeue not, it is a preparation unto true repentance and Faith. Acts 2, 37.