Selected quad for the lemma: conscience_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
conscience_n evil_a good_a motive_n 1,128 5 11.3729 5 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A92744 The Christian life wheren is shew'd, I. The worth and excellency of the soul. II. The divinity and incarnation of our Saviour III. The authority of the Holy Scripture. IV. A dissuasive from apostacy. Vol. V. and last. By John Scott, D.D. late rector of St. Giles's in the Fields.; Christian life. Vol. 5 Scott, John, 1639-1695.; White, Robert, 1645-1703, engraver.; Zouch, Humphrey. 1700 (1700) Wing S2060; ESTC R230772 251,294 440

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be_v true_a or_o false_a yet_o they_o seldom_o undergo_v any_o mild_a name_n than_o heresy_n or_o gentle_a doom_n than_o damnation_n which_o have_v be_v one_o of_o the_o grand_a occasion_n of_o all_o the_o rupture_n and_o division_n that_o have_v happen_v in_o the_o christian_a world_n but_o as_o for_o the_o faith_n which_o the_o apostle_n here_o speak_v of_o it_o be_v of_o a_o much_o less_o bulk_n than_o what_o it_o be_v now_o arrive_v to_o by_o roll_v through_o the_o wild_a opiniatry_n of_o sixteen_o disputation_n age_n which_o by_o degree_n have_v swell_v it_o from_o a_o short_a script_n into_o a_o large_a volume_n for_o if_o we_o look_v into_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o into_o the_o write_n of_o the_o most_o primitive_a father_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o sum_n of_o christian_a faith_n therein_o contain_v consist_v of_o very_a few_o article_n and_o those_o such_o only_a as_o be_v essential_a to_o christian_a religion_n and_o such_o as_o wherein_o almost_o all_o the_o differ_a persuasion_n of_o christian_n do_v to_o this_o day_n concentre_v to_o hold_v the_o faith_n therefore_o be_v to_o persevere_v immovable_o in_o the_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a christian_a doctrine_n so_o far_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v and_o not_o to_o be_v prevail_v upon_o to_o desert_n or_o forsake_v it_o either_o through_o fear_n of_o persecution_n or_o hope_v of_o temporal_a advantage_n or_o the_o knavish_a art_n and_o sly_a insinuation_n of_o false_a teacher_n 2._o the_o second_o term_n here_o to_o be_v explain_v be_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n conscience_n in_o general_n be_v nothing_o but_o our_o practical_a judgement_n direct_v we_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o what_o to_o avoid_v and_o approve_v or_o reprove_v according_a as_o we_o follow_v its_o direction_n or_o run_v counter_a to_o they_o the_o conscience_n therefore_o be_v good_a or_o bad_a according_a as_o the_o direction_n be_v which_o it_o give_v for_o the_o government_n of_o our_o life_n and_o action_n if_o our_o judgement_n be_v false_a and_o erroneous_a and_o direct_v we_o to_o do_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o avoid_v or_o to_o avoid_v what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v it_o be_v a_o bad_a conscience_n that_o instead_o of_o be_v a_o light_n to_o guide_v our_o step_n in_o the_o path_n of_o righteousness_n be_v only_o a_o wander_a night-fire_n that_o lead_v we_o into_o bog_n and_o quagmire_n as_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o good_a conscience_n be_v our_o practical_a judgement_n well_o inform_v and_o true_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o course_n of_o our_o action_n what_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o what_o to_o avoid_v for_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v the_o true_a echo_n of_o god_n within_o we_o that_o faithful_o resound_v his_o voice_n and_o upon_o all_o opportunity_n of_o action_n repeat_v after_o he_o to_o our_o will_n and_o affection_n to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n therefore_o imply_v two_o thing_n first_o to_o maintain_v in_o our_o mind_n a_o true_a sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a and_o so_o far_o forth_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o preserve_v our_o practical_a judgement_n pure_a from_o all_o false_a principle_n of_o action_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v either_o our_o vicious_a inclination_n or_o worldly_a interest_n to_o warp_v and_o seduce_v it_o and_o cause_v it_o to_o mistake_v evil_a for_o good_a and_o good_a for_o evil._n second_o it_o imply_v our_o follow_v the_o dictate_v and_o direction_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n our_o do_v what_o it_o bid_v and_o abstain_v from_o what_o it_o forbid_v and_o faithful_o resign_v ourselves_o to_o its_o conduct_n and_o government_n and_o not_o to_o be_v prevail_v upon_o by_o any_o temptation_n whatsoever_o to_o act_v counter_a to_o its_o sense_n and_o persuasion_n in_o short_a to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n be_v to_o live_v in_o a_o strict_a conformity_n to_o the_o dictate_v of_o a_o well-informed_n judgement_n and_o not_o to_o allow_v ourselves_o in_o any_o course_n of_o action_n which_o this_o vice-god_n within_o we_o forbid_v or_o disapprove_v 3._o the_o three_o term_n to_o be_v explain_v in_o the_o text_n be_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o put_v away_o a_o good_a conscience_n which_o be_v direct_o oppose_v here_o to_o keep_v a_o good_a conscience_n must_v denote_v the_o contrary_n to_o it_o to_o put_v away_o a_o good_a conscience_n therefore_o be_v either_o first_o to_o corrupt_v our_o own_o judgement_n of_o thing_n and_o action_n out_o of_o vicious_a affection_n or_o worldly_a interest_n and_o impose_v upon_o ourselves_o false_a notion_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a or_o second_o to_o act_v direct_o contrary_a to_o our_o sense_n and_o persuasion_n to_o leave_v undo_v those_o thing_n which_o our_o own_o conscience_n tell_v we_o we_o ought_v to_o do_v and_o to_o do_v those_o thing_n which_o it_o tell_v we_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o do_v in_o short_a to_o put_v away_o a_o good_a conscience_n be_v to_o live_v in_o any_o know_a course_n of_o sin_n either_o of_o omission_n or_o commission_n to_o practice_v contradiction_n to_o our_o own_o judgement_n and_o to_o follow_v the_o inclination_n of_o our_o will_n against_o the_o light_n and_o conviction_n of_o our_o conscience_n 4._o the_o last_o enquiry_n be_v what_o be_v here_o mean_v by_o make_v shipwreck_n of_o the_o faith_n which_o be_v here_o set_v in_o opposition_n to_o hold_v or_o keep_v the_o faith_n must_v signify_v opposite_o and_o consequent_o must_v denote_v not_o hold_v and_o keep_v it_o or_o which_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n lose_v and_o abandon_v it_o for_o in_o this_o allegory_n the_o true_a christian_a faith_n be_v represent_v as_o a_o ship_n and_o a_o good_a conscience_n or_o a_o pure_a and_o holy_a life_n as_o the_o pilot_n that_o steer_v and_o govern_v it_o and_o indeed_o in_o that_o state_n of_o thing_n there_o be_v no_o other_o pilot_n but_o purity_n of_o conscience_n and_o holiness_n of_o life_n be_v able_a to_o conduct_v and_o preserve_v this_o ship_n and_o carry_v it_o safe_a through_o those_o incessant_a storm_n of_o persecution_n wherein_o at_o that_o time_n it_o be_v toss_v and_o agitate_a for_o when_o christian_n have_v once_o throw_v off_o the_o obligation_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n by_o abandon_v themselves_o to_o a_o wicked_a and_o dissolute_a life_n what_o be_v there_o left_a to_o restrain_v they_o from_o abandon_v their_o faith_n when_o it_o stand_v in_o competition_n with_o their_o worldly_a ease_n and_o interest_n and_o though_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o competition_n between_o their_o faith_n and_o interest_n but_o they_o may_v free_o enjoy_v they_o both_o without_o any_o disturbance_n yet_o their_o wicked_a life_n will_v natural_o tempt_v they_o to_o corrupt_v their_o faith_n with_o wicked_a principle_n of_o which_o late_a in_o the_o next_o verse_n he_o give_v a_o eminent_a instance_n in_o hymenaeus_n who_o have_v not_o whole_o desert_v christianity_n but_o only_o renounce_v one_o fundamental_a article_n of_o it_o viz._n the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o dead_a as_o of_o the_o former_a he_o give_v another_o instance_n in_o alexander_n who_o as_o it_o seem_v probable_a have_v through_o the_o fear_n of_o persecution_n desert_v christianity_n itself_o the_o word_n thus_o explain_v may_v be_v resolve_v into_o this_o sense_n that_o man_n live_v wicked_o against_o the_o conviction_n and_o obligation_n of_o their_o conscience_n do_v very_o much_o expose_v they_o to_o apostasy_n from_o true_a religion_n into_o gross_a and_o impious_a error_n thus_o to_o the_o love_n of_o money_n which_o be_v the_o root_n of_o all_o evil_a the_o apostle_n attribute_n man_n err_v from_o the_o faith_n 1_o tim._n 6.10_o and_o that_o which_o expose_v those_o silly_a woman_n 2_o tim._n 3.6_o to_o the_o seduction_n of_o false_a teacher_n be_v their_o be_v lade_v with_o sin_n and_o lead_v away_o with_o divers_a lust_n and_o the_o same_o apostle_n ascribe_v demas_n apostasy_n to_o his_o covetousness_n or_o inordinate_a love_n of_o this_o present_a world_n 2_o tim._n 4.10_o but_o that_o i_o may_v evince_v this_o truth_n more_o full_o i_o shall_v give_v you_o some_o particular_a instance_n of_o the_o mighty_a tendency_n there_o be_v in_o every_o vicious_a course_n of_o life_n to_o error_n and_o apostasy_n from_o true_a religion_n 1._o it_o corrupt_v and_o debauch_n man_n reason_n and_o understanding_n 2._o it_o render_v the_o principle_n of_o true_a religion_n uneasy_a to_o their_o mind_n 3._o it_o deprive_v man_n of_o the_o high_a encouragement_n to_o constancy_n and_o steadfastness_n in_o religion_n 4._o it_o weaken_v the_o natural_a force_n of_o their_o conscience_n which_o be_v the_o great_a restraint_n from_o apostasy_n 5._o it_o strengthen_v the_o temptation_n to_o apostasy_n 6._o it_o provoke_v god_n to_o give_v we_o up_o to_o the_o power_n of_o delusion_n 1._o live_v in_o any_o know_v and_o wilful_a course_n of_o sin_n corrupt_v and_o debauch_n man_n reason_n and_o
will_v ever_o have_v charge_v i_o with_o tyranny_n and_o oppression_n but_o lord_n thou_o know_v we_o be_v fickle_a and_o mutable_a creature_n and_o though_o we_o do_v hearty_o resolve_v that_o we_o will_v never_o rovolt_v from_o thy_o service_n yet_o through_o the_o many_o temptation_n that_o perpetual_o solicit_v we_o we_o be_v at_o last_o seduce_v into_o a_o rebellion_n against_o thou_o and_o though_o when_o we_o reflect_v upon_o what_o we_o have_v do_v we_o be_v full_a of_o sorrow_n and_o remorse_n and_o wish_v from_o our_o soul_n that_o we_o have_v never_o do_v it_o yet_o then_o be_v desperate_a of_o mercy_n and_o past_o all_o hope_n of_o pardon_n we_o conclude_v that_o it_o be_v too_o late_o to_o repent_v or_o to_o think_v of_o return_v to_o our_o duty_n again_o ah_o unworthy_a wretch_n with_o what_o confidence_n can_v you_o impute_v the_o continuation_n of_o your_o rebellion_n against_o i_o to_o your_o despair_n of_o ever_o find_v mercy_n at_o my_o hand_n when_o you_o know_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n that_o i_o die_v to_o procure_v forgiveness_n for_o you_o and_o that_o by_o my_o death_n i_o obtain_v a_o act_n of_o indemnity_n and_o oblivion_n for_o all_o that_o will_v come_v in_o and_o return_v to_o their_o duty_n upon_o the_o proclamation_n of_o my_o gospel_n when_o you_o can_v but_o know_v that_o i_o tender_v you_o your_o pardon_n seal_v with_o my_o own_o blood_n and_o court_v you_o to_o accept_v of_o it_o and_o though_o time_n after_o time_n you_o scornful_o refuse_v and_o reject_v it_o yet_o in_o hope_n that_o at_o last_o you_o may_v be_v prevail_v with_o you_o know_v how_o long_o i_o wait_v upon_o you_o even_o till_o you_o have_v tire_v out_o my_o patience_n and_o i_o see_v there_o be_v no_o remedy_n and_o do_v you_o now_o charge_v your_o not_o return_v to_o your_o duty_n upon_o your_o hopelesness_n of_o pardon_n for_o your_o former_a rebellion_n it_o be_v true_a lord_n we_o can_v deny_v but_o thou_o do_v offer_v we_o pardon_n but_o alas_o it_o be_v upon_o a_o impossible_a condition_n even_o upon_o a_o hearty_a repentance_n and_o a_o thorough_a reformation_n which_o thou_o know_v we_o be_v not_o then_o able_a to_o perform_v for_o by_o a_o long_a custom_n of_o rebellion_n against_o thou_o we_o have_v contract_v so_o many_o inveterate_a evil_a habit_n which_o have_v so_o weaken_a and_o debilitate_a our_o power_n that_o we_o be_v no_o more_o able_a to_o reform_v and_o amend_v ourselves_o than_o the_o leopard_n be_v to_o change_v his_o spot_n or_o the_o aethiopian_a he_o skin_n to_o what_o purpose_n then_o shall_v we_o attempt_v impossibility_n or_o set_v ourselves_o to_o wrestle_v with_o difficulty_n which_o we_o know_v we_o wre_v never_o able_a to_o surmount_v but_o pray_v how_o do_v you_o know_v that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o you_o to_o repent_v when_o by_o all_o the_o argument_n i_o use_v with_o you_o i_o can_v never_o persuade_v you_o to_o make_v trail_n of_o it_o you_o know_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n that_o there_o be_v many_o thing_n that_o you_o can_v do_v you_o can_v have_v betake_v yourselves_o to_o a_o serious_a consideration_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o motive_n of_o religion_n you_o can_v have_v attend_v and_o abstain_v at_o least_o from_o the_o outward_a act_n of_o sin_n and_o humble_o implore_v my_o grace_n and_o assistance_n and_o that_o to_o encourage_v you_o to_o do_v this_o and_o what_o else_o be_v in_o your_o power_n i_o give_v you_o the_o most_o ample_a assurance_n in_o the_o world_n that_o i_o will_v back_v and_o enforce_v your_o endeavour_n with_o the_o aid_n of_o my_o grace_n and_o in_o despite_n of_o all_o opposition_n crown_v they_o with_o success_n so_o that_o though_o by_o your_o own_o single_a strength_n indeed_o you_o can_v never_o have_v effect_v your_o repentance_n yet_o it_o be_v far_o from_o be_v impossible_a to_o you_o since_o you_o know_v that_o by_o do_v what_o be_v in_o your_o power_n you_o shall_v infallible_o oblige_v i_o to_o enable_v you_o to_o do_v all_o the_o rest_n but_o bless_a lord_n what_o encouragement_n have_v we_o to_o repent_v and_o return_v to_o our_o duty_n for_o if_o we_o have_v do_v it_o we_o must_v have_v bid_v adieu_o for_o ever_o to_o all_o those_o pleasure_n and_o delight_n by_o which_o we_o be_v invite_v and_o detain_v in_o the_o service_n of_o our_o lust_n and_o thou_o offered'_v we_o nothing_o in_o exchange_n for_o they_o but_o only_a sigh_n and_o tear_n with_o other_o ungrateful_a rigour_n of_o a_o bitter_a and_o severe_a repentance_n how_o then_o can_v thou_o blame_v our_o disobedience_n against_o thou_o when_o we_o have_v so_o many_o invite_a temptation_n to_o it_o and_o so_o little_a encouragement_n to_o the_o contrary_a o_o prodigious_a impudence_n with_o what_o face_n can_v you_o assert_v such_o a_o notorious_a falsehood_n when_o you_o know_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n that_o beside_o all_o those_o pleasure_n that_o be_v connatural_a to_o my_o service_n and_o which_o do_v vast_o exceed_v all_o the_o pleasure_n of_o sin_n i_o lay_v a_o immortal_a crown_n at_o your_o foot_n and_o faithful_o promise_v you_o that_o if_o you_o will_v but_o spend_v a_o short_a life_n in_o my_o service_n i_o will_v at_o the_o end_n of_o it_o receive_v you_o into_o that_o blissful_a state_n where_o you_o shall_v be_v happy_a beyond_o all_o your_o wish_n and_o to_o the_o utmost_a capacity_n of_o your_o nature_n where_o you_o shall_v live_v with_o god_n and_o angel_n in_o the_o most_o rapturous_a exercise_n of_o everlasting_a love_n and_o joy_n which_o one_o will_v have_v think_v have_v be_v sufficient_a to_o recompense_v you_o for_o those_o silly_a pleasure_n for_o who_o sake_n you_o desert_v i_o and_o my_o service_n but_o since_o you_o have_v trample_v upon_o all_o my_o offer_n and_o will_v by_o no_o mean_n be_v persuade_v by_o all_o those_o mighty_a tender_v i_o have_v make_v you_o go_v you_o deserve_o curse_v into_o ever_o hold_v lord_n we_o beseech_v thou_o and_o before_o thou_o pass_v thy_o irrevocable_a doom_n upon_o we_o hear_v this_o last_o petition_n we_o shall_v make_v for_o ourselves_o we_o now_o confess_v that_o we_o be_v full_o convince_v and_o o_o that_o we_o have_v understand_v it_o soon_o what_o infinite_a reason_n we_o have_v to_o adhere_v to_o thou_o and_o thy_o service_n it_o be_v our_o misery_n that_o these_o thing_n be_v not_o soon_o discover_v to_o we_o or_o at_o least_o that_o they_o be_v not_o so_o clear_o discover_v as_o to_o convince_v and_o persuade_v we_o have_v we_o but_o know_v what_o we_o now_o know_v we_o will_v never_o have_v desert_v thou_o as_o we_o do_v and_o therefore_o we_o beseech_v thou_o have_v pity_n upon_o our_o ignorance_n and_o impute_v not_o to_o our_o will_n the_o fault_n of_o our_o understanding_n which_o be_v not_o in_o our_o power_n to_o remedy_n why_o be_v this_o the_o utmost_a that_o you_o can_v plead_v for_o your_o self_n have_v i_o not_o tell_v you_o all_o these_o thing_n beforehand_o as_o plain_o as_o word_n can_v express_v they_o have_v i_o not_o institute_v a_o order_n of_o man_n in_o my_o church_n to_o explain_v these_o thing_n to_o you_o and_o to_o put_v you_o in_o mind_n of_o they_o so_o that_o whatever_o you_o pretend_v you_o can_v not_o but_o know_v and_o understand_v they_o or_o if_o you_o do_v not_o it_o be_v because_o you_o will_v not_o and_o if_o you_o will_v wilful_o shut_v your_o eye_n against_o the_o light_n it_o be_v your_o own_o fault_n that_o you_o do_v not_o see_v and_o you_o may_v thank_v yourselves_o for_o the_o consequent_n of_o it_o i_o plain_o tell_v you_o where_o your_o wickedness_n will_v end_v and_o unless_o you_o be_v wilful_o blind_v you_o can_v not_o but_o see_v what_o the_o event_n of_o your_o sin_n will_v prove_v even_o while_o you_o be_v commit_v it_o and_o you_o know_v in_o your_o own_o conscience_n that_o this_o fearful_a doom_n which_o now_o you_o deprecate_v you_o be_v fair_o warn_v of_o when_o you_o may_v have_v easy_o avoid_v it_o by_o a_o timely_a submission_n but_o you_o will_v not_o and_o see_v you_o will_v be_v so_o mad_a as_o to_o reject_v heaven_n when_o it_o lay_v before_o you_o and_o leap_v into_o hell_n with_o your_o eye_n open_a your_o blood_n be_v upon_o your_o own_o head_n for_o i_o have_v try_v all_o the_o art_n of_o love_n and_o method_n of_o kindness_n to_o reclaim_v you_o and_o since_o you_o have_v render_v they_o all_o ineffectual_a what_o remain_v but_o that_o you_o depart_v from_o i_o like_o accurse_a wretch_n as_o you_o be_v into_o that_o everlasting_a fire_n prepare_v for_o the_o devil_n and_o his_o angel_n and_o now_o i_o beseech_v you_o do_v not_o your_o own_o conscience_n consent_v to_o the_o justice_n and_o righteousness_n of_o this_o procedure_n be_v there_o any_o tolerable_a plea_n you_o
heart_n upon_o reason_n of_o worldly_a interest_n before_o ever_o he_o think_v of_o those_o reason_n of_o religion_n that_o make_v he_o a_o convert_n in_o his_o judgement_n so_o that_o it_o be_v his_o interest_n that_o convert_v his_o affection_n and_o his_o affection_n that_o convert_v his_o faith_n and_o yet_o all_o this_o while_n for_o want_v of_o selfreflection_n the_o man_n imagine_v that_o his_o new_a faith_n be_v whole_o owe_v to_o the_o reason_n and_o evidence_n it_o carry_v with_o it_o whereas_o will_v he_o but_o impartial_o consult_v himself_o and_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o review_v the_o step_n and_o progress_n of_o his_o change_n where_o it_o begin_v and_o how_o it_o proceed_v and_o conclude_v he_o will_v soon_o be_v force_v to_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o first_o and_o fundamental_a reason_n of_o it_o be_v nothing_o but_o a_o worldly_a interest_n wherefore_o to_o secure_v you_o against_o this_o dangerous_a piece_n of_o self-delusion_n by_o which_o i_o doubt_v 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