A97353:266
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
38. So it is asked, what shall a man do whose (Conscience telleth him that this or that (commanded perhaps by man) is duty or sin, commanded or forbidden by God, but yet is not absolutely certain?] Answ. Either (antecedently) it is a duty, or sin, or it is not: If it be, he is bound to do it, or forbear it accordingly; whatever he think of it himself: His doubts change not Gods Laws.
39. So the question is, what a man should do that hath an erring Conscience? Answ. 1. An erring Conscience is improperly called Conscience; because error is not properly science: But let that pass. 2. He is under a double obligation: The first is to obey Gods Laws, about which he erreth: The second is, to lay by his error.
40. Quest. But must he in the mean time go against his Conscience? Answ. No; nor against Gods Law: what God hath conjoined, none of your questions must tempt us to put asunder: He is still under the double obligation of rectifying Conscience, and obeying God. And both must be done and not one alone.
40. Quest. But must he in the mean time go against his Conscience? Answ. No; nor against Gods Law: what God hath conjoyned, none of your questions must tempt us to put asunder: He is still under the double obligation of rectifying Conscience, and obeying God. And both must be done and not one alone.