A69129:94
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.
10 Conscience through error, judging that to be lawful which is unlawful; as that it is lawful for one to lie, to save his own, or his neighbours life; binds indeed, but doth not bind to do so. It binds; because he that hath such a conscience, can neither lie, nor abstain from lying, without sin. He cannot lie, because this is simply unlawful. He cannot abstain from lying, with such a conscience, because such manner of forbearance is forbidden by God, though forbearing it self be commanded: for God requires not only that we do good, and abstain from doing evil; but likewise that we perform both these with a good conscience, and not with a bad one. Such a conscience doth not bind to do what it saith. First, because their is no obligation to unlawful things. Secondly, because Conscience bindeth not to do, but by virtue of some command of God; but such a conscience is not grounded upon any command: for the Law of God can neither incline nor bind any man to ⟨p. 14⟩sin. Thirdly, because this error is always a sin, but a sin doth not bind to practise it. Fourthly, because such a Conscience hath never so sure a ground, as that there needeth not further examination and inquiry into things. Fifthly, because man is bound to lay down such a conscience; for although that be not exactly enough spoken which some do affirm, namely, That such a Conscience bindeth a man to lay down it self; yet it is most certain, that a man is tied to lay down such an erroneous Conscience, for it is a part of that old man, whom we are commanded to put off, Ephes. 4. 22.
10 Conscience through error, judging that to bee lawfull which is unlawfull; as that it is lawfull for one to lie, to saue his owne, or his neighbours life; bindes indeed, but doth not binde to doe so. It bindes; because he that hath such a conscience, can neither lie, nor abstaine from lying, without sinne. Hee cannot lie, because this is simply unlawfull. Hee cannot abstaine from lying, with such a conscience, because such manner of forbearance is forbidden by God, though forbearing it selfe bee commanded: for God requires not only that we doe good, and abstaine from doing evill; but likewise that wee performe both these with a good conscience, and not with a bad one. Such a conscience doth not binde to doe what it saith. First, because their is no obligation to unlawful things. Secondly, because Conscience bindeth not to doe, but by vertue of some command of God; but such a conscience is not grounded upon any command: for the Law of God can neither incline nor bind any man to