socrates_n and_o content_v myself_o to_o be_v virtuous_a at_o the_o rate_n of_o a_o heathen_a than_o according_a to_o the_o measure_n of_o such_o a_o religion_n but_o bless_v be_v god_n we_o know_v better_a thing_n and_o have_v be_v teach_v quite_o otherwise_o we_o have_v not_o thus_o learned_a christ_n his_o religion_n be_v pure_a religion_n and_o undefiled_a his_o command_n be_v holy_a just_a and_o good_a he_o countenance_v no_o sort_n of_o immorality_n but_o encourage_v the_o universal_a practice_n of_o all_o virtue_n it_o threaten_v damnation_n to_o such_o as_o resist_v authority_n which_o be_v the_o ordinance_n of_o god_n and_o affirm_v the_o damnation_n of_o those_o man_n to_o be_v just_a who_o think_v to_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o rom._n 3.8_o it_o make_v it_o as_o necessary_a for_o subject_n to_o submit_v i_o do_v not_o say_v always_o to_o obey_v but_o to_o submit_v to_o their_o governor_n as_o for_o child_n to_o be_v obedient_a to_o their_o parent_n and_o for_o servant_n to_o be_v subject_a to_o their_o master_n and_o he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o take_v off_o the_o obligation_n of_o the_o one_o may_v upon_o the_o same_o term_n take_v away_o all_o duty_n in_o child_n towards_o parent_n and_o all_o faithfulness_n in_o servant_n towards_o master_n for_o obedience_n and_o subjection_n to_o civil_a government_n be_v as_o natural_a and_o sacred_a as_o that_o which_o be_v exercise_v in_o family_n and_o keep_v up_o in_o a_o man_n be_v own_o house_n i_o have_v insist_v the_o long_a on_o this_o not_o so_o much_o to_o look_v backward_o as_o forward_o to_o undeceive_v people_n by_o open_v their_o eye_n and_o discover_v those_o pious_a fraud_n profane_a cheat_n and_o hypocritical_a abuse_n which_o for_o a_o long_a time_n have_v pass_v cleverly_o with_o some_o man_n under_o the_o notion_n of_o conscience_n and_o religion_n and_o to_o show_v you_o what_o spirit_n such_o man_n be_v of_o thereby_o to_o caution_n you_o for_o the_o future_a against_o all_o such_o lewd_a principle_n and_o pretence_n how_o specious_o soever_o they_o may_v be_v gild_v over_o and_o that_o you_o take_v heed_n that_o you_o suffer_v not_o yourselves_o to_o be_v cheat_v out_o of_o a_o peaceable_a loyal_a and_o well-tempered_a religion_n by_o any_o bold_a incendiary_n or_o cunning_a hypocrite_n of_o they_o all_o be_v they_o of_o what_o party_n or_o faction_n they_o will_v whether_o foreign_a or_o domestic_a at_o home_o or_o abroad_o but_o yet_o in_o the_o second_o place_n notwithstanding_o conscience_n have_v be_v so_o gross_o mistake_v and_o abuse_v yet_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v slight_v much_o less_o cast_v off_o upon_o that_o account_n any_o more_o than_o religion_n which_o have_v often_o meet_v with_o the_o like_a hard_a fate_n or_o civil_a government_n which_o have_v be_v usurp_v by_o those_o that_o have_v no_o right_a to_o it_o and_o manage_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o primitive_a end_n and_o institution_n thereof_o now_o if_o the_o abuse_n of_o government_n and_o religion_n be_v not_o a_o sufficient_a reason_n for_o our_o reject_v of_o they_o no_o more_o be_v it_o for_o the_o lay_v aside_o of_o conscience_n because_o the_o great_a abuse_n can_v never_o be_v make_v a_o argument_n for_o the_o total_a abandon_v thereof_o for_o if_o you_o come_v once_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n you_o throw_v off_o with_o it_o all_o obligation_n to_o duty_n you_o take_v away_o all_o sense_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a all_o difference_n between_o virtue_n and_o vice_n right_o and_o wrong_n and_o thereby_o reduce_v mankind_n into_o the_o rank_n of_o brute-beast_n without_o regard_n to_o conscience_n you_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o religion_n nor_o of_o the_o ordinary_a duty_n of_o morality_n we_o can_v do_v one_o good_a action_n without_o it_o nor_o rejoice_v in_o the_o witness_n and_o testimony_n thereof_o there_o will_v be_v then_o no_o peace_n in_o private_a family_n nor_o good_a government_n in_o public_a society_n no_o obedience_n to_o magistrate_n nor_o subjection_n to_o authority_n no_o man_n then_o will_v either_o fear_n god_n or_o honour_n the_o king_n or_o do_v their_o duty_n one_o towards_o another_o all_o which_o be_v yet_o enjoin_v and_o bind_v express_o upon_o our_o conscience_n by_o the_o holy_a spirit_n conscience_n then_o be_v useful_a and_o necessary_a in_o that_o it_o imply_v a_o obligation_n to_o duty_n and_o lay_v upon_o we_o the_o strong_a bond_n of_o obedience_n there_o be_v no_o argument_n or_o persuasive_a like_o it_o it_o be_v strong_a than_o all_o our_o little_a hope_n and_o fear_n in_o this_o world_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v compel_v by_o force_n nor_o bribe_v by_o interest_n nor_o fright_v by_o all_o the_o terror_n and_o apprehension_n of_o death_n and_o the_o grave_a insomuch_o as_o conscience_n though_o daily_o abuse_v by_o ill_a man_n to_o ill_a design_n be_v yet_o of_o excellent_a use_n where_o right_o inform_v due_o apply_v and_o careful_o heed_v and_o attend_v unto_o where_o it_o be_v reverence_v and_o regard_v as_o it_o ought_v it_o tend_v mighty_o to_o the_o make_v man_n thorough_o good_a and_o virtuous_a just_a in_o their_o pretence_n honest_a in_o their_o intention_n upright_a and_o sincere_a in_o all_o their_o promise_n and_o profession_n all_o which_o where_o man_n make_v no_o scruple_n of_o any_o thing_n must_v needs_o be_v false_a dissemble_v and_o treacherous_a where_o man_n be_v willing_a to_o exercise_v a_o good_a conscience_n or_o keep_v it_o void_a of_o offence_n they_o will_v not_o put_v trick_n and_o cheat_n upon_o themselves_o or_o other_o they_o will_v not_o go_v about_o to_o mock_v god_n and_o deceive_v their_o own_o soul_n they_o will_v scorn_v to_o do_v a_o ill_a action_n and_o afterward_o colour_v it_o over_o with_o a_o plausible_a excuse_n or_o hypocritical_a evasion_n but_o will_v endeavour_v after_o the_o practice_n of_o unfeignee_n goodness_n a_o hearty_a compliance_n with_o their_o whole_a duty_n have_v their_o conversation_n as_o the_o apostle_n speak_v in_o simplicity_n and_o godly_a sincerity_n and_o not_o with_o fleshly_a wisdom_n 2_o cor._n 1.12_o in_o a_o word_n he_o will_v strive_v to_o approve_v himself_o to_o god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o to_o man_n as_o well_o as_o god_n that_o he_o may_v become_v as_o good_a as_o possible_o he_o can_v that_o be_v as_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n and_o his_o own_o honest_a endeavour_n will_v enable_v he_o to_o be_v that_o man_n therefore_o that_o make_v no_o conscience_n of_o any_o thing_n he_o do_v or_o say_v can_v never_o become_v so_o good_a as_o he_o ought_v he_o can_v be_v no_o true_a and_o last_a friend_n either_o to_o church_n or_o state_n to_o his_o king_n or_o country_n and_o consequent_o unsafe_a to_o be_v trust_v by_o either_o but_o he_o that_o shall_v go_v about_o to_o debauch_v and_o prostitute_n his_o conscience_n be_v of_o all_o other_o the_o very_o worst_a and_o no_o sinner_n to_o the_o conscientious_a sinner_n who_o can_v sin_v with_o a_o good_a conscience_n and_o do_v evil_a that_o good_a may_v come_v of_o it_o who_o damnation_n as_o it_o be_v most_o just_a so_o their_o reclaim_n be_v most_o difficult_a as_o be_v obstinate_a in_o their_o prejudices_fw-la against_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v or_o can_v be_v offer_v for_o their_o conviction_n and_o thus_o you_o see_v the_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n of_o conscience_n where_o it_o be_v regard_v and_o value_v as_o it_o ought_v and_o therefore_o be_v not_o to_o be_v decry_v for_o the_o ill_a use_n make_v thereof_o for_o to_o cast_v off_o conscience_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o cast_v off_o all_o religion_n with_o it_o to_o banish_v all_o true_a goodness_n common_a honesty_n and_o moral_a virtue_n out_o of_o the_o world_n and_o consequent_o all_o that_o order_n pence_n union_n and_o civil_a society_n which_o result_v from_o thence_o and_o wherein_o the_o happiness_n of_o this_o life_n do_v chief_o consist_v i_o proceed_v now_o in_o the_o four_o place_n to_o show_v in_o or_o about_o what_o thing_n conscience_n ought_v principal_o to_o be_v concern_v or_o exercise_v first_o for_o the_o better_a understanding_n of_o which_o i_o must_v remind_v you_o a_o little_a of_o what_o i_o have_v already_o hint_v in_o the_o description_n of_o conscience_n namely_o that_o conscience_n presuppose_v a_o rule_n or_o law_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o particular_o concern_v about_o thing_n indifferent_a as_o such_o which_o come_v within_o the_o compass_n of_o no_o rule_n nor_o within_o the_o limit_n of_o any_o command_n or_o prohibition_n for_o conscience_n be_v no_o further_o concern_v about_o any_o thing_n or_o action_n than_o as_o it_o be_v a_o instance_n of_o obedience_n to_o or_o transgression_n of_o a_o law_n now_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n no_o nor_o obedience_n neither_o now_o the_o thing_n we_o call_v indifferent_a be_v such_o as_o god_n have_v
truth_n for_o truths-sake_n not_o so_o much_o to_o set_v your_o head_n as_o your_o heart_n right_o not_o to_o furnish_v you_o with_o matter_n or_o talk_v and_o dispute_v which_o evermore_o engender_v strife_n and_o envy_n but_o to_o understand_v your_o duty_n in_o order_n to_o the_o faithful_a practice_n and_o performance_n of_o it_o now_o this_o you_o must_v do_v before_o you_o can_v safe_o follow_v the_o dictate_v of_o conscience_n or_o rely_v upon_o the_o testimony_n thereof_o in_o order_n hereunto_o you_o ought_v to_o consider_v the_o nature_n and_o extent_n of_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o conscience_n be_v to_o be_v govern_v and_o direct_v in_o all_o her_o action_n and_o undertake_n and_o this_o i_o tell_v you_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o lay_v aside_o all_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n you_o ought_v diligent_o to_o take_v heed_n and_o attend_v unto_o and_o where_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n may_v arise_v to_o consult_v and_o advise_v with_o your_o teacher_n who_o god_n have_v set_v over_o you_o or_o with_o any_o other_o who_o you_o have_v reason_n to_o judge_v most_o eminent_a for_o their_o piety_n learning_n prudence_n and_o integrity_n to_o beg_v their_o assistance_n and_o receive_v their_o instruction_n with_o that_o modesty_n and_o respect_n as_o become_v learner_n and_o disciple_n who_o desire_v nothing_o more_o than_o to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n that_o they_o may_v be_v save_v for_o want_v of_o this_o care_n conscience_n have_v be_v strange_o mist_v and_o run_v itself_o into_o many_o gross_a error_n and_o foul_a mistake_v thus_o many_o have_v be_v prompt_v to_o very_o ill_a thing_n one_o while_o by_o passion_n another_o while_n by_o prejudice_n and_o a_o three_o by_o a_o corrupt_a and_o self-interest_n and_o yet_o have_v think_v they_o have_v be_v lead_v by_o zeal_n and_o act_v by_o conscience_n all_o the_o while_n when_o as_o upon_o strict_a enquiry_n they_o have_v find_v their_o zeal_n be_v not_o according_a to_o knowledge_n and_o what_o they_o call_v conscience_n in_o no_o wise_a agreeable_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o religion_n for_o the_o avoid_n of_o which_o we_o shall_v endeavour_v as_o much_o as_o in_o we_o lie_v to_o get_v our_o conscience_n well_o inform_v and_o to_o use_v the_o mean_n in_o order_n thereunto_o second_o if_o you_o will_v have_v conscience_n to_o be_v right_o inform_v you_o must_v endeavour_v after_o a_o humble_a meek_a and_o teacheable_a spirit_n for_o it_o be_v say_v the_o meek_a will_v he_o guide_v in_o judgement_n and_o the_o week_n he_o will_v teach_v his_o way_n psalm_n 25.9_o and_o it_o be_v say_v god_n resist_v the_o proud_a but_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a 1_o pet._n 5.5_o now_o the_o meek_a and_o humble_a stand_v high_a in_o god_n grace_n and_o favour_n and_o therefore_o more_o likely_a to_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o his_o mind_n and_o will_n nay_o they_o be_v natural_o most_o capable_a of_o instruction_n and_o best_a fit_v for_o it_o as_o be_v most_o desirous_a to_o know_v their_o duty_n and_o submit_v to_o it_o when_o they_o have_v do_v whereas_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n pride_n and_o passion_n and_o self-conceit_n be_v apt_a to_o puff_n man_n up_o prejudice_v they_o against_o thetruth_n and_o fill_v they_o with_o scorn_n and_o contempt_n of_o the_o best_a counsel_n and_o advice_n in_o the_o world_n a_o peevish_a and_o froward_a disposition_n make_v man_n impatient_a of_o contradiction_n and_o to_o mis-judge_n every_o thing_n that_o thwart_v their_o particular_a sentiment_n insomuch_o as_o the_o best_a advice_n be_v common_o lose_v and_o throw_v away_o upon_o such_o perverse_a temper_n though_o offer_v in_o never_o so_o kind_a and_o charitable_a a_o manner_n three_o after_o conscience_n be_v well_o inform_v keep_v it_o close_o to_o its_o rule_n and_o do_v not_o suffer_v it_o wilful_o or_o wanton_o to_o swerve_v from_o it_o upon_o any_o account_n or_o under_o any_o pretence_n whatever_o otherwise_o it_o may_v be_v in_o danger_n to_o seduce_v and_o deceive_v conscience_n be_v chief_o exercise_v about_o good_a or_o evil_n the_o do_v of_o the_o one_o and_o the_o avoid_n of_o the_o other_o now_o though_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v the_o great_a stand_a rule_n according_a to_o which_o we_o ought_v to_o take_v our_o principal_a measure_n of_o good_a and_o evil_a yet_o this_o difference_n be_v more_o early_o teach_v we_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n and_o the_o suggestion_n of_o our_o own_o mind_n and_o therefore_o whatever_o appear_v a_o sin_n or_o be_v universal_o condemn_v for_o such_o by_o that_o law_n conscience_n must_v needs_o judge_v it_o to_o be_v a_o sin_n too_o and_o believe_v it_o condemn_v likewise_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o no_o natural_a or_o rather_o unnatural_a crime_n can_v possible_o commence_v a_o religious_a duty_n and_o to_o think_v otherwise_o be_v to_o lie_v under_o one_o of_o the_o gross_a delusion_n and_o scandalous_a mistake_v for_o hereby_o we_o set_v the_o two_o law_n to_o wit_n that_o of_o nature_n and_o revelatron_n in_o opposition_n to_o one_o another_o yea_o we_o make_v they_o absolute_o inconsistent_a and_o contradictory_n though_o both_o of_o they_o at_o first_o come_v from_o god_n conscience_n therefore_o ought_v not_o to_o plead_v for_o or_o encourage_v the_o practice_n of_o any_o sin_n namely_o which_o appear_v to_o be_v so_o by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n as_o well_o as_o religion_n and_o therefore_o all_o treason_n and_o rebellion_n murder_n and_o conspiracy_n sacrilege_n and_o perjury_n be_v great_a sin_n and_o such_o as_o be_v discern_v to_o be_v so_o by_o natural_a light_n and_o therefore_o can_v never_o become_v otherwise_o however_o they_o may_v be_v palliate_v or_o plead_v for_o never_o think_v that_o the_o plea_n of_o conscience_n religion_n or_o reformation_n can_v justify_v a_o wicked_a or_o immoral_a action_n such_o as_o rebellion_n and_o perjury_n which_o all_o mankind_n do_v natural_o acknowledge_v and_o condemn_v for_o such_o now_o every_o man_n almost_o have_v so_o much_o of_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n yet_o leave_v within_o he_o as_o to_o discern_v the_o great_a evil_n of_o such_o thing_n though_o not_o always_o to_o shun_v yet_o to_o condemn_v the_o gild_n thereof_o what_o ever_o nature_n tell_v we_o be_v a_o sin_n conscience_n for_o that_o very_a reason_n must_v disapprove_v of_o it_o too_o because_o the_o religion_n of_o christ_n be_v but_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n perfect_v and_o improve_v and_o therefore_o no_o pretence_n of_o conscience_n draw_v from_o scripture_n can_v make_v that_o to_o be_v lawful_a or_o cease_v to_o be_v a_o sin_n which_o be_v so_o before_o now_o if_o god_n law_n oblige_v not_o to_o sin_n much_o less_o the_o private_a dictate_v or_o impulse_n of_o conscience_n which_o ought_v evermore_o to_o make_v that_o her_o rule_n and_o fetch_v all_o her_o direction_n from_o thence_o for_o a_o man_n therefore_o to_o allow_v himself_o in_o the_o commission_n of_o such_o crime_n as_o all_o law_n and_o religion_n in_o the_o world_n must_v needs_o condemn_v as_o impious_a and_o wicked_a pray_v what_o conscience_n have_v such_o a_o man_n but_o then_o to_o plead_v conscience_n in_o favour_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v so_o much_o the_o worse_o still_o and_o render_v his_o crime_n infinite_o more_o wicked_a and_o abominable_a such_o a_o man_n be_v never_o to_o be_v excuse_v in_o what_o he_o do_v of_o this_o nature_n for_o his_o excuse_n instead_o of_o extenuate_a do_v but_o add_v to_o his_o gild_n and_o mighty_o aggravate_v the_o heinousness_n thereof_o four_o that_o while_o i_o be_o plead_v for_o conscience_n i_o may_v impartial_o discharge_v my_o own_o conscience_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v separate_a from_o charity_n any_o more_o than_o from_o truth_n love_n charity_n and_o goodwill_n be_v the_o chief_a gospel-precept_n and_o stand_a principle_n of_o christ_n religion_n and_o all_o zeal_n for_o the_o church_n or_o state_n nay_o for_o the_o christian_a religion_n in_o general_n or_o reform_a religion_n in_o particular_a if_o void_a of_o charity_n be_v little_a worth_n charity_n i_o mean_v not_o only_o for_o those_o of_o our_o own_o communion_n but_o even_o towards_o they_o that_o differ_v from_o we_o for_o so_o far_o as_o they_o do_v it_o pure_o on_o the_o account_n of_o conscience_n and_o no_o otherwise_o we_o ought_v to_o retain_v some_o charity_n for_o they_o be_v they_o of_o what_o church_n or_o communion_n they_o will_n indeed_o where_o conscience_n be_v manifest_o abuse_v and_o carry_v they_o to_o any_o thing_n that_o be_v wicked_a and_o unlawful_a where_o any_o sin_n or_o immorality_n be_v countenance_v or_o encourage_v under_o the_o notion_n or_o plea_n of_o conscience_n there_o we_o must_v leave_v they_o and_o deserve_o too_o to_o the_o public_a censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o punishment_n of_o the_o state_n but_o where_o it_o be_v mere_a conscience_n and_o
a_o discourse_n about_o conscience_n relate_v to_o the_o present_a difference_n among_o we_o in_o opposition_n to_o both_o extreme_n of_o popery_n and_o fanaticism_n london_n print_v for_o william_n crook_n at_o the_o green_a dragon_n without_o temple_n bar_n next_o devereux_n court_n 1684._o a_o discourse_n about_o conscience_n etc._n etc._n the_o design_n of_o this_o short_a discourse_n be_v to_o treat_v about_o the_o nature_n and_o office_n of_o conscience_n how_o or_o in_o what_o respect_v it_o do_v oblige_v which_o as_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o practice_n of_o some_o man_n lay_v claim_n thereunto_o haâ—h_v be_v either_o gross_o mistake_v or_o wilful_o abuse_v but_o be_v it_o either_o one_o way_n or_o other_o i_o be_o sure_a it_o have_v be_v make_v the_o common_a cloak_n and_o excuse_v for_o some_o of_o the_o great_a disorder_n and_o unwarrantable_a proceed_n not_o only_o against_o the_o peaceable_a communion_n of_o our_o church_n but_o the_o legal_a and_o well-established_n government_n of_o the_o state_n now_o if_o these_o few_o line_n charitable_o offer_v may_v conduce_v any_o thing_n towards_o the_o rectify_v of_o such_o mistake_v and_o consequent_o the_o prevent_v the_o like_a abuse_n in_o any_o that_o be_v willing_a to_o be_v undeceive_v i_o have_v all_o the_o end_v i_o aim_v at_o if_o not_o i_o shall_v have_v however_o this_o satisfaction_n that_o what_o i_o have_v here_o offer_v towards_o it_o be_v do_v with_o all_o the_o kindness_n and_o charity_n that_o possible_o i_o can_v without_o betray_v the_o cause_n i_o have_v undertake_v or_o do_v injury_n to_o that_o church_n who_o communion_n i_o have_v here_o take_v occasion_n to_o recommend_v and_o plead_v for_o and_o therefore_o without_o any_o tedious_a preface_n or_o fruitless_a apology_n i_o shall_v address_v myself_o to_o the_o subject_a in_o hand_n and_o that_o in_o a_o very_a plain_a and_o impartial_a manner_n now_o in_o my_o discourse_n hereupon_o i_o shall_v show_v you_o first_o what_o conscience_n be_v or_o what_o be_v include_v in_o the_o notion_n of_o it_o second_o what_o it_o be_v to_o live_v up_o to_o conscience_n three_o that_o notwithstanding_o conscience_n by_o many_o person_n pretend_v to_o it_o have_v be_v and_o be_v still_o abuse_v yet_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v neglect_v or_o lay_v aside_o four_o what_o thing_n conscience_n ought_v chief_o to_o be_v concern_v for_o or_o exercise_v about_o five_o to_o offer_v a_o few_o thing_n by_o way_n of_o advice_n concern_v the_o govern_n of_o ourselves_o with_o relation_n to_o our_o conscience_n from_o whence_o you_o may_v perceive_v that_o i_o intend_v to_o speak_v of_o conscience_n not_o so_o much_o as_o it_o relate_v to_o matter_n of_o doctrine_n as_o to_o matter_n of_o practice_n not_o how_o it_o ought_v to_o form_v our_o judgement_n and_o model_n our_o opinion_n as_o how_o it_o ought_v to_o direct_v our_o life_n and_o govern_v our_o action_n which_o be_v much_o more_o necessary_a of_o the_o two_o 1._o what_o be_v mean_v by_o conscience_n which_o be_v almost_o in_o every_o one_o mouth_n and_o have_v create_v so_o much_o noise_n and_o bustle_n in_o the_o world_n conscience_n be_v that_o power_n or_o faculty_n of_o the_o mind_n which_o judge_n of_o our_o action_n according_a to_o a_o right_a rule_n whether_o they_o be_v agreeable_a to_o it_o or_o not_o or_o it_o be_v the_o reflex_n act_n of_o our_o reason_n and_o understanding_n respect_v the_o goodness_n or_o badness_n of_o our_o action_n so_o that_o conscience_n be_v a_o act_n of_o the_o understanding_n and_o but_o another_o name_n for_o reason_n it_o be_v reason_n exercise_v about_o the_o lawfulness_n or_o unlawfulness_n of_o what_o we_o do_v or_o the_o judgement_n of_o our_o mind_n acquit_v or_o condemn_v we_o in_o our_o own_o thought_n in_o which_o description_n of_o conscience_n we_o may_v take_v notice_n of_o these_o follow_a thing_n which_o enter_v the_o definition_n and_o constitute_v the_o nature_n of_o it_o first_o conscience_n suppose_v a_o rule_n by_o which_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v direct_v and_o govern_v in_o all_o its_o act_n for_o conscience_n be_v no_o lordly_a nor_o lawless_a principle_n and_o therefore_o be_v not_o leave_v at_o liberty_n to_o think_v or_o do_v what_o it_o listen_v to_o act_v rash_o and_o at_o all_o adventure_n no_o conscience_n be_v under_o authority_n and_o restraint_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v keep_v within_o bound_n and_o not_o suffer_v to_o run_v out_o into_o a_o unaccountable_a extravagancy_n or_o violent_a extreme_a to_o keep_v its_o eye_n daily_o on_o the_o rule_n and_o take_v advice_n from_o thence_o in_o what_o it_o do_v for_o god_n who_o will_n ought_v to_o be_v a_o law_n in_o this_o case_n and_o none_o else_o and_o that_o be_v sure_a be_v a_o rule_n large_a enough_o for_o conscience_n to_o walk_v by_o and_o which_o together_o with_o judgement_n and_o discretion_n in_o the_o application_n thereof_o be_v sufficient_a to_o direct_v a_o christian_a upon_o all_o occasion_n second_o there_o must_v be_v a_o knowledge_n of_o this_o rule_n otherwise_o conscience_n be_v not_o concern_v the_o very_a notion_n of_o the_o word_n according_a to_o the_o letter_n and_o derivation_n of_o it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o greek_a and_o conscientia_fw-la in_o latin_a import_v as_o much_o there_o can_v be_v conscientia_fw-la without_o scientia_fw-la no_o conscience_n without_o knowledge_n if_o i_o be_o whole_o ignorant_a of_o the_o rule_n or_o law_n it_o be_v all_o one_o to_o i_o as_o if_o there_o be_v none_o at_o all_o and_o oblige_v i_o no_o further_o than_o i_o have_v or_o may_v have_v any_o knowledge_n or_o information_n thereof_o in_o this_o sense_n quod_fw-la non_fw-la apparet_fw-la non_fw-la est_fw-la it_o be_v all_o one_o not_o to_o be_v as_o not_o to_o appear_v so_o i_o must_v therefore_o know_v what_o my_o duty_n be_v or_o what_o it_o be_v the_o law_n require_v of_o i_o before_o i_o can_v think_v myself_o oblige_v thereby_o and_o till_o i_o know_v it_o or_o have_v the_o mean_n of_o arrive_v at_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o i_o lie_v under_o no_o obligation_n from_o thence_o for_o a_o blind_a man_n may_v with_o as_o much_o reason_n be_v oblige_v to_o walk_v steady_o in_o a_o straight_a line_n or_o narrow_a path_n though_o he_o can_v see_v one_o step_n of_o his_o way_n as_o that_o a_o man_n shall_v be_v oblige_v in_o conscience_n to_o any_o law_n whereof_o he_o be_v total_o ignorant_a or_o deprive_v of_o the_o mean_n of_o know_v of_o it_o i_o speak_v here_o of_o invincible_a not_o affect_v ignorance_n there_o be_v as_o much_o difference_n between_o they_o two_o as_o between_o natural_a and_o wilful_a blindness_n between_o a_o man_n have_v no_o eye_n at_o all_o and_o another_o that_o shut_v they_o close_o and_o will_v not_o open_a or_o make_v use_n of_o they_o to_o see_v his_o way_n the_o former_a excuse_v indeed_o but_o the_o late_a never_o do_v and_o never_o will_n for_o instance_n those_o miserable_o blind_a heathen_a who_o sit_v in_o darkness_n and_o see_v no_o light_n who_o never_o hear_v of_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n nor_o once_o have_v the_o glad_a tiding_n of_o salvation_n preach_v unto_o they_o they_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o believe_v and_o embrace_v the_o gospel_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o damnation_n as_o we_o be_v who_o enjoy_v the_o mean_n and_o daily_o sit_v under_o the_o joyful_a sound_n thereof_o all_o that_o they_o be_v to_o do_v be_v to_o comply_v with_o the_o rational_a dictate_v of_o their_o own_o mind_n and_o conform_v to_o that_o part_n of_o the_o divine_a law_n which_o be_v write_v upon_o their_o heart_n and_o to_o live_v up_o to_o the_o light_n of_o natural_a religion_n the_o ground_n or_o reason_n of_o which_o hypothesis_n be_v take_v from_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n rom._n 2.14_o 15._o for_o when_o the_o gentile_n which_o have_v not_o the_o law_n do_v by_o nature_n the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n these_o have_v not_o a_o law_n be_v a_o law_n unto_o themselves_o which_o show_v the_o work_n of_o the_o law_n write_v in_o their_o heart_n their_o conscience_n also_o bear_v they_o witness_n and_o their_o thought_n in_o the_o mran_a time_n accuse_v or_o excuse_v one_o another_o now_o according_a to_o this_o of_o the_o apostle_n if_o the_o gentile_n do_v by_o nature_n the_o thing_n contain_v in_o the_o law_n and_o their_o conscience_n thereupon_o excuse_v and_o bear_v witness_n on_o their_o behalf_n as_o be_v here_o express_o affirm_v why_o shall_v we_o be_v so_o uncharitable_a as_o to_o pass_v sentence_n against_o those_o who_o be_v acquit_v by_o their_o own_o conscience_n or_o think_v that_o the_o great_a and_o good_a god_n who_o be_v the_o maker_n of_o we_o all_o will_v be_v as_o partial_a and_o severe_a as_o we_o be_v wont_v to_o be_v in_o our_o censure_n of_o they_o no_o for_o we_o be_v tell_v in_o every_o nation_n