A69129:327
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.
8. The state of man belongs to the first part of Divinity, which is about Faith, and the actions to the second part which is about obedience.
9. The state of man before God, is that relation which man hath to God, as he is the original of spiritual life, and happiness.
9. The state of man before God, is that relation which man hath to God, as he is the originall of spirituall life, and happinesse.
10. Concerning this state, the Conscience ought 1. to declare and determine what it is. 2. to judge, that it is to be eschewed if it be evil, and to be preserved, and increased if it be good.
10. Concerning this state, the Consciente ought 1. to declare and determine what it is. 2. to judge, that it is to be eschewed if it be evill, and to be preserved, and increased if it be good.
11. Concerning the state of man in general there be three questions: The first is whether a man can certainly know in what state he is?
11. Concerning the state of man in generall there be three questions: The first is whether a man can certainly know in what state he is?
Ans. He may, 1. Because without this knowledge he cannot have an accusing, or excusing Conscience in respect of his estate, But such a Conscience men both may and are wont to have, Rom. 2. 15. 2 Because no man can either eschew or desire an unknown state: But one of these states a man ought to eschew, and to labour for the other, Mat. 7. 8.
Ans. He may, 1. Because without this knowledge he cannot have anaccusing, or excusing Conscience in respect of his estate, But such a Conscience men both may and are wont to have, Rom. 2. 15. 2 Because no man can either eschew or desire an unknowne state: But one of these states a man ought to eschew, and to labour for the other, Mat. 7. 8.
12. Quest. 2. Whether men ought to make inquiry into their estates.
Ans. Yes, and that with all diligence possible, for 1. This is a thing that God requireth, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. without this knowledge a man cannot have peace, or tranquillity in his Conscience, Rom. 5. 1. & 8. 1. 3. Otherwise a man cannot perform worship to God, with that preparation which is requisite, 1 Cor. 11. 28., 1 Cor. 11. 28.
Ans. Yes, and that with all diligence possible, for 1. This is a thing that God requireth, 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2. without this knowledge a man cannot have peace, or tranquillity in his Conscience, Rom. 5. 1. & 8. 1. 3. Otherwise a man cannot performe worship to God, with that preparation which is requisite, 1 Cor. 11. 28., 1 Cor. 11. 28.
Ans. 1. By consideration of those actions external, and internal, which proceed from him, Mat. 7. 17. 2. By the inclinations, and dispositions, from whence those actions flow, Rom. 7. 15, 16, 17. 3. By that reflex act, which is proper to man, whereby he hath a power, as it were to enter into, and perceive what is in himself, 1 Cor. 2. 11. 4. By a kind of spiritual sense, Luke 24. 32. Rom. 7. 21. 28.
Ans. 1. By consideration of those actions externall, and internall, which proceed from him, Mat. 7. 17. 2. By the inclinations, and dispositions, from whence those actions flow, Rom. 7. 15, 16, 17. 3. By that reflex act, which is proper to man, whereby he hath a power, as it were to enter into, and perceive what is in himselfe, 1 Cor. 2. 11. 4. By a kind of spirituall sense, Luke 24. 32. Rom. 7. 21. 28.
14. Quest. 4. what is it that hinders this knowledge?1
- 1The hinderance of this knowledge.
Ans. 1. Wicked and profane thoughts in many, Psal. 14. 1. 2. 2. Presumption, Apoc. 3. 17. Mat. 7. 21. 23. 3. The overcharging of the heart by the lusts of the flesh, and care about the things of this life, Luke 21. 34. 4. An evil Conscience, John 3. 20. 5. Spiritual sloth, and idleness, Isaiah •4. 11▪ 6. Ignorance, Rom. 6. 11.
Ans. 1. Wicked and prophane thoughts in many, Psal. 14. 1. 2. 2. Presumption, Apoc. 3. 17. Mat. 7. 21. 23. 3. The overcharging of the heart by the lusts of the flesh, and care about the things of this life, Luke 21. 34. 4. An evill Conscience, Iohn 3. 20. 5. Spirituall sloth, and idlenesse, Esay •4. 11▪ 6. Ignorance, Rom. 6. 11.
CHAP. 2. Of the state of sin.
CHAP. 2. Of the state of sinne.
1. The state of man since the fall of Adam is twofold. A state of sin, and a state of grace Acts •6. 18. • John 3. 10. 14.
1. THe state of man since the fall of Adam is twofold. A state of sinne, and a state of grace Acts •6. 18. • Iohn 3. 10. 14.
2. The state of sin consists in the privation of spiritual life, and happiness. From this estate therefore we are to fly, as from death and the greatest evil: Concerning this state of sin the first question is, how a man may discern, whither he do still continue in it?
2. The state of sinne consists in the privation of spirituall life, and happinesse. From this estate therefore we are to fly, as from death and the greatest evill: Concerning this state of sin the first question is, how a man may discerne, whither he do still continue in it?
3. Ans. The signs, o• arguments, whereby this state may1 certainly be discerned, are in general, all those which are opposite to a state of grace, and spiritual life. For if a man be not in the one state, he must necessarily be in the other.
3. Ans. The signes, o• arguments, whereby this state may1 certainly be discern'd, are in generall, all those which are opposite to a state of grace, and spirituall life. For if a man be not in the one state, he must necessarily be in the other.
- 1Signs of the state of sin.Signes of the state of sin.
4. The first sign is a gross ignorance of those things, which belong to spiritual life, Ep. 4. 18. for hereby▪ men are strangers to the life of God. The reason is because it is impossible that any man should please God without faith, Heb. 11. 6. And for Faith it is impossible to be had without the knowledge of the will of God, which comes by the preaching and hearing of the Word, Rom. 10. 14.
4. The first signe is a grosse ignorance of those things, which belong to spirituall life, Ep. 4. 18. for hereby▪ men are strangers to the life of God. The reason is because it is impossible that any man should please God without faith, Heb. 11. 6. And for Faith it is impossible to be had without the knowledge of the will of God, which comes by the preaching and hearing of the Word, Rom. 10. 14.