Selected quad for the lemma: sin_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
sin_n	knowledge_n	law_n	transgression_n	3,220	5	10.6539	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A59546	A discourse of conscience. The second part Concerning a doubting conscience.; Discourse concerning conscience. Part 2.	Sharp, John, 1645-1714.	1688 (1688)	Wing S2974; ESTC R221827	66,391	76

do_v well_o in_o obey_v his_o superior_n in_o such_o a_o instance_n where_o their_o command_n do_v so_o manifest_o contradict_v the_o law_n of_o god_n that_o on_o the_o contrary_a we_o affirm_v the_o man_n be_v high_o accountable_a to_o god_n for_o all_o such_o action_n that_o he_o do_v though_o they_o be_v do_v pure_o in_o obedience_n to_o that_o authority_n which_o god_n have_v set_v over_o he_o and_o pure_o in_o compliance_n with_o this_o principle_n we_o be_v now_o contend_v for_o viz._n that_o in_o all_o doubtful_a case_n it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a to_o govern_v our_o action_n by_o the_o command_v of_o our_o superior_n far_o be_v we_o therefore_o from_o assert_v that_o whatever_o our_o governor_n do_v command_v the_o subject_n be_v bind_v to_o perform_v so_o long_o as_o he_o only_o doubt_n but_o be_v not_o persuade_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o the_o thing_n command_v and_o that_o if_o there_o be_v any_o sin_n in_o the_o action_n he_o that_o command_v it_o be_v to_o answer_v for_o it_o and_o not_o he_o that_o obey_v for_o we_o do_v believe_v that_o in_o matter_n where_o a_o man_n conscience_n be_v concern_v every_o one_o be_v to_o be_v a_o judge_n for_o himself_o and_o must_v answer_v for_o himself_o and_o therefore_o if_o our_o superior_n do_v command_v we_o to_o do_v a_o action_n which_o their_o superior_a god_n almighty_a have_v forbid_v we_o be_v offender_n if_o we_o do_v that_o action_n as_o well_o as_o they_o in_o command_v it_o and_o that_o whether_o we_o do_v it_o doubt_o or_o with_o a_o persuasion_n of_o its_o lawfulness_n but_o then_o these_o two_o thing_n be_v always_o to_o be_v remember_v first_o that_o this_o be_v true_a only_a in_o such_o case_n where_o as_o i_o say_v a_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o know_v that_o god_n law_n have_v forbid_v that_o action_n which_o his_o governor_n do_v command_v and_o it_o be_v either_o through_o his_o gross_a carelessness_n or_o some_o other_o worse_a principle_n in_o he_o that_o he_o know_v it_o not_o or_o be_v doubtful_a of_o it_o for_o wherever_o a_o man_n be_v innocent_o and_o inculpable_o ignorant_a or_o doubtful_a how_o the_o law_n of_o god_n stand_v as_o to_o such_o a_o particular_a matter_n which_o authority_n have_v oblige_v he_o to_o as_o neither_o have_v mean_n to_o come_v to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o or_o if_o he_o have_v the_o circumstance_n of_o his_o condition_n not_o require_v that_o he_o shall_v so_o accurate_o inform_v himself_o about_o it_o in_o such_o a_o case_n as_o this_o i_o say_v a_o man_n can_v formal_o be_v say_v to_o be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n in_o obey_v his_o lawful_a superior_n though_o the_o instance_n in_o which_o he_o obey_v shall_v happen_v to_o contradict_v some_o law_n of_o god._n for_o the_o law_n of_o god_n here_o be_v as_o no_o law_n to_o he_o that_o be_v it_o do_v not_o oblige_v he_o because_o he_o neither_o know_v it_o nor_o be_v bind_v to_o know_v it_o and_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n and_o then_o further_o this_o be_v also_o to_o be_v remember_v that_o when_o we_o own_o that_o a_o man_n may_v be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n as_o well_o in_o obey_v his_o superior_n when_o he_o only_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o the_o action_n command_v as_o when_o he_o be_v persuade_v that_o the_o action_n be_v unlawful_a i_o say_v this_o we_o be_v to_o remember_v that_o when_o ever_o this_o case_n happen_v the_o man_n sin_n do_v not_o lie_v in_o his_o obey_v his_o superior_n with_o a_o doubt_v conscience_n which_o be_v common_o run_v away_o with_o for_o the_o man_n will_v as_o certain_o sin_n if_o in_o this_o case_n he_o do_v the_o action_n with_o a_o persuasion_n that_o it_o be_v lawful_a as_o he_o do_v in_o do_v it_o with_o a_o doubt_n whether_o it_o be_v lawful_a or_o no._n but_o the_o sin_n lie_v here_o viz._n in_o do_v a_o action_n which_o god_n law_n have_v forbid_v and_o which_o the_o man_n will_v have_v know_v to_o be_v a_o ill_a action_n if_o he_o have_v be_v so_o honest_a and_o so_o careful_a in_o mind_v his_o duty_n as_o he_o shall_v have_v be_v it_o be_v his_o act_v contrary_a to_o a_o law_n of_o god_n that_o here_o make_v the_o matter_n of_o the_o sin_n and_o it_o be_v his_o vicious_a criminal_a ignorance_n of_o that_o law_n which_o give_v the_o form_n to_o it_o but_o as_o for_o the_o obey_v his_o superior_n whether_o with_o a_o doubt_n or_o without_o one_o that_o be_v no_o part_n or_o ingredient_n of_o the_o sin_n at_o all_o five_o we_o add_v this_o further_a that_o whatever_o power_n or_o right_o we_o give_v to_o our_o superior_n for_o the_o overrule_a a_o private_a doubt_n it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v extend_v so_o far_o as_o either_o to_o destroy_v the_o truth_n or_o to_o supersede_n the_o use_n of_o those_o rule_n i_o have_v before_o lay_v down_o in_o order_n to_o the_o direct_v a_o man_n proceed_v in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o double_a doubt_n for_o this_o case_n of_o obey_v the_o command_n of_o our_o superior_n when_o we_o doubt_v of_o the_o lawfulness_n of_o they_o be_v a_o double_a doubt_n as_o proper_o as_o any_o other_o those_o rule_n be_v here_o to_o take_v place_n as_o much_o as_o in_o any_o other_o instance_n and_o therefore_o where_o ever_o a_o man_n doubt_n be_v in_o this_o case_n very_o unequal_a that_o be_v to_o say_v he_o apprehend_v himself_o in_o much_o great_a danger_n of_o sin_v if_o he_o obey_v his_o superior_n in_o this_o particular_a instance_n than_o if_o he_o obey_v they_o not_o as_o have_v abundant_o more_o reason_n to_o believe_v that_o their_o command_n be_v unlawful_a than_o that_o they_o be_v lawful_a in_o that_o case_n we_o can_v say_v he_o be_v oblige_v to_o obey_v but_o shall_v rather_o disobey_v suppose_v all_o other_o consideration_n be_v equal_a for_o no_o man_n be_v bind_v to_o obey_v his_o superior_n any_o far_o than_o they_o command_v lawful_a thing_n and_o therefore_o if_o it_o be_v two_o to_o one_o more_o probable_a that_o their_o command_n be_v unlawful_a than_o that_o it_o be_v lawful_a it_o be_v likewise_o more_o probable_a that_o a_o man_n in_o this_o instance_n be_v not_o to_o obey_v they_o and_o a_o great_a probability_n caeteris_fw-la paribus_fw-la be_v always_o to_o be_v choose_v before_o a_o less_o according_a to_o our_o first_o rule_n but_o then_o though_o the_o authority_n of_o our_o superior_n alone_o will_v not_o in_o this_o case_n be_v of_o force_n enough_o to_o retrieve_v the_o balance_n which_o be_v so_o far_o incline_v the_o other_o way_n and_o to_o turn_v it_o on_o its_o own_o side_n yet_o there_o may_v be_v and_o very_o usual_o be_v such_o other_o argument_n draw_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o great_a sin_n and_o the_o more_o dreadful_a consequence_n of_o disobey_v in_o this_o instance_n than_o of_o obey_v as_o will_v to_o any_o reasonable_a man_n outweigh_v all_o the_o probability_n on_o the_o other_o side_n so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v not_o so_o great_a as_o to_o create_v a_o persuasion_n and_o make_v it_o reasonable_a for_o the_o man_n rather_o to_o do_v the_o action_n how_o strong_a soever_o his_o doubt_n be_v of_o the_o unlawfulness_n of_o it_o so_o long_o as_o they_o be_v but_o doubt_n than_o to_o omit_v it_o after_o lawful_a authority_n have_v enjoin_v it_o but_o however_o this_o happen_v it_o be_v always_o to_o be_v bear_v in_o mind_n as_o before_o that_o if_o it_o shall_v prove_v that_o our_o superior_n do_v command_v nothing_o in_o the_o particular_a instance_n but_o what_o they_o lawful_o may_v do_v it_o will_v not_o justify_v any_o man_n disobedience_n to_o say_v that_o he_o apprehend_v it_o be_v more_o dangerous_a or_o more_o sinful_a to_o obey_v they_o than_o to_o disobey_v they_o for_o our_o mistake_v and_o false_a reason_n will_v not_o take_v off_o from_o the_o obligation_n that_o be_v upon_o we_o to_o obey_v our_o lawful_a superious_a in_o their_o lawful_a command_n unless_o as_o i_o have_v often_o say_v we_o can_v satisfy_v ourselves_o that_o in_o those_o instance_n we_o neither_o be_v bind_v nor_o have_v sufficient_a mean_n to_o understand_v better_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o clear_v our_o way_n by_o remove_v from_o our_o question_n those_o thing_n that_o be_v foreign_a to_o it_o and_o which_o indeed_o by_o be_v usual_o blend_v with_o it_o have_v make_v it_o more_o intricate_a than_o otherwise_o it_o will_v be_v we_o be_v pretty_a well_o prepare_v to_o propose_v our_o point_n in_o the_o six_o place_n then_o exclude_v as_o we_o have_v do_v out_o of_o our_o case_n all_o those_o thing_n and_o circumstance_n we_o have_v be_v speak_v of_o with_o none_o of_o which_o we_o have_v here_o to_o do_v the_o plain_a question_n before_o we_o be_v this_o whether_o in_o the_o case_n of_o a_o

this_o because_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n which_o do_v oblige_v we_o in_o all_o case_n to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v best_o and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v best_a we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v always_o that_o which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a for_o certain_o that_o which_o be_v best_a be_v always_o most_o reasonable_a and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v most_o reasonable_a much_o less_o be_v we_o bind_v to_o do_v that_o which_o be_v safe_a because_o that_o which_o be_v safe_a be_v not_o always_o either_o best_a or_o most_o reasonable_a and_o if_o there_o be_v no_o law_n of_o god_n that_o do_v oblige_v we_o to_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n than_o it_o be_v certain_a we_o do_v not_o sin_n if_o we_o act_n otherwise_o for_o where_o there_o be_v no_o law_n there_o be_v no_o transgression_n now_o that_o the_o first_o of_o these_o principle_n be_v true_a we_o have_v as_o good_a proof_n as_o can_v be_v desire_v viz._n the_o authority_n of_o st._n paul_n who_o have_v in_o the_o seven_o of_o the_o first_o of_o the_o corinthian_n thus_o determine_v and_o if_o that_o be_v true_a the_o other_o two_o must_v needs_o be_v so_o likewise_o because_o they_o follow_v from_o it_o by_o unavoidable_a consequence_n take_v now_o this_o for_o grant_v i_o ask_v what_o law_n do_v a_o man_n transgress_v that_o in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n choose_v either_o side_n indifferent_o without_o respect_n to_o what_o be_v safe_a or_o most_o reasonable_a always_o suppose_v that_o the_o side_n he_o choose_v be_v not_o in_o itself_o evil_a and_o forbid_a by_o god._n i_o say_v according_a to_o these_o principle_n he_o transgress_v no_o law_n at_o all_o and_o consequent_o can_v proper_o be_v say_v to_o sin_n at_o all_o if_o the_o man_n be_v at_o all_o guilty_a it_o be_v upon_o one_o of_o these_o account_n viz._n either_o because_o he_o act_v against_o the_o dictate_v of_o his_o conscience_n or_o because_o he_o act_v against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o prefer_v that_o which_o be_v less_o reasonable_a and_o safe_a before_o that_o which_o be_v more_o so_o now_o upon_o the_o former_a account_n he_o be_v not_o at_o all_o guilty_a for_o his_o conscience_n have_v pass_v no_o dictate_v no_o verdict_n in_o this_o matter_n and_o therefore_o he_o can_v be_v suppose_v to_o act_v against_o any_o such_o dictate_v or_o verdict_n the_o man_n be_v in_o such_o a_o state_n that_o he_o either_o believe_v he_o may_v act_v as_o he_o do_v without_o violation_n of_o his_o duty_n or_o at_o least_o he_o have_v no_o belief_n to_o the_o contrary_a so_o that_o his_o conscience_n do_v not_o any_o way_n condemn_v he_o and_o as_o for_o the_o other_o thing_n of_o his_o not_o choose_v that_o side_n of_o the_o doubtful_a case_n which_o appear_v to_o he_o most_o reasonable_a it_o be_v true_a if_o there_o be_v any_o law_n of_o god_n which_o oblige_v he_o to_o make_v such_o a_o choice_n he_o will_v be_v guilty_a of_o sin_n if_o he_o choose_v otherwise_o but_o now_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v any_o such_o law_n of_o god._n nay_o so_o far_o from_o that_o that_o it_o appear_v from_o st._n paul_n that_o there_o be_v no_o such_o law_n but_o that_o every_o man_n be_v leave_v to_o his_o own_o liberty_n in_o this_o matter_n always_o suppose_v that_o he_o take_v care_v not_o to_o choose_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n that_o he_o judge_v to_o be_v inconsistent_a with_o his_o duty_n which_o in_o our_o case_n we_o do_v likewise_o suppose_v but_o then_o have_v say_v this_o we_o must_v add_v further_o that_o though_o we_o here_o have_v conclude_v that_o no_o man_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v strict_o oblige_v by_o any_o law_n of_o god_n under_o the_o penalty_n of_o sin_n to_o choose_v one_o side_n more_o than_o another_o but_o may_v indifferent_o choose_v either_o yet_o in_o the_o first_o place_n whoever_o do_v believe_v or_o be_v persuade_v in_o his_o own_o mind_n either_o that_o he_o ought_v not_o at_o all_o to_o act_n against_o a_o doubt_n or_o that_o in_o every_o doubtful_a case_n he_o be_v bind_v to_o follow_v the_o safe_a side_n such_o a_o man_n so_o long_o as_o he_o so_o believe_v can_v without_o sin_n act_n according_a to_o the_o principle_n we_o have_v now_o lay_v down_o and_o second_o we_o be_v far_o from_o encourage_v any_o man_n to_o act_v thus_o hand_n over_o head_n in_o a_o doubtful_a case_n much_o less_o from_o commend_v he_o for_o so_o do_v for_o though_o we_o say_v that_o strict_o speak_v a_o man_n do_v not_o sin_n which_o way_n soever_o he_o act_n in_o a_o pure_o doubtful_a case_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n i_o think_v he_o be_v but_o in_o a_o low_a dispensation_n as_o to_o virtue_n and_o goodness_n that_o never_o look_v further_a into_o his_o action_n nor_o take_v more_o care_n about_o they_o than_o only_o that_o they_o be_v not_o direct_o sinful_a he_o that_o be_v hearty_o good_a will_v with_o st._n paul_n not_o only_o consider_v what_o thing_n be_v lawful_a but_o what_o thing_n be_v expedient_a and_o do_v edify_v it_o will_v not_o ordinary_o be_v sufficient_a to_o engage_v such_o a_o man_n in_o a_o action_n to_o satisfy_v he_o that_o he_o may_v do_v that_o action_n without_o transgress_v any_o law_n of_o god_n but_o he_o will_v examine_v whether_o the_o do_v or_o forbear_v the_o action_n do_v more_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o virtue_n and_o charity_n and_o according_o as_o that_o appear_v to_o he_o so_o will_v he_o determine_v his_o choice_n in_o a_o word_n the_o better_a and_o the_o more_o virtuous_a any_o man_n be_v the_o more_o delicate_a and_o tender_a sense_n will_v he_o have_v not_o only_o of_o that_o which_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v precise_o make_v his_o duty_n and_o so_o in_o a_o proper_a sense_n do_v oblige_v his_o conscience_n but_o also_o of_o every_o thing_n that_o be_v reasonable_a and_o excellent_a and_o praiseworthy_a so_o that_o it_o will_v real_o grate_v upon_o his_o mind_n to_o do_v many_o thing_n which_o in_o strict_a speak_n can_v be_v account_v unlawful_a or_o forbid_a and_o thus_o it_o be_v in_o our_o present_a case_n if_o we_o suppose_v a_o man_n to_o be_v a_o devout_a christian_a and_o a_o sincere_a lover_n of_o god_n he_o will_v not_o be_v able_a to_o prevail_v with_o himself_o in_o a_o case_n where_o he_o doubt_v to_o choose_v either_o side_n indiscriminate_o though_o if_o he_o shall_v i_o do_v not_o know_v as_o i_o say_v before_o what_o law_n of_o god_n he_o transgress_v but_o he_o will_v weigh_v and_o consider_v the_o reason_n on_o both_o side_n and_o that_o which_o appear_v to_o he_o after_o such_o consideration_n to_o be_v most_o reasonable_a and_o conduce_v to_o god_n glory_n and_o his_o own_o and_o the_o world_n good_a that_o shall_v have_v the_o preference_n to_o come_v to_o a_o conclusion_n the_o sum_n of_o what_o i_o have_v now_o say_v be_v this_o as_o conscience_n be_v the_o immediate_a guide_n of_o our_o action_n so_o the_o rule_n by_o which_o conscience_n itself_o be_v to_o be_v guide_v be_v the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o nothing_o else_o though_o therefore_o we_o can_v be_v safe_a in_o follow_v our_o conscience_n where_o our_o conscience_n be_v not_o guide_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n because_o as_o i_o have_v often_o say_v our_o false_a judgement_n of_o thing_n do_v not_o cancel_v our_o obligation_n to_o act_v according_a to_o what_o the_o law_n of_o god_n require_v of_o we_o unless_o we_o can_v just_o plead_v unblameable_a ignorance_n of_o those_o law_n yet_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n wherever_o conscience_n tell_v we_o that_o i_o must_v do_v this_o action_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v command_v it_o we_o must_v do_v it_o or_o we_o sin_n and_o again_o wherever_o conscience_n tell_v we_o that_o we_o must_v avoid_v this_o action_n because_o the_o law_n of_o god_n have_v forbid_v it_o we_o must_v forbear_v that_o action_n or_o we_o sin_n but_o if_o conscience_n can_v say_v that_o this_o action_n be_v command_v or_o forbid_v there_o we_o be_v not_o tie_v under_o the_o penalty_n of_o sin_v either_o to_o do_v or_o to_o forbear_v that_o action_n but_o yet_o if_o a_o man_n conscience_n shall_v thus_o suggest_v to_o he_o though_o i_o can_v say_v direct_o that_o this_o action_n be_v a_o duty_n or_o that_o it_o be_v a_o sin_n because_o i_o be_o at_o a_o loss_n how_o the_o law_n of_o god_n stand_v as_o to_o this_o matter_n and_o consequent_o i_o can_v lay_v any_o direct_a obligation_n upon_o you_o either_o way_n yet_o my_o advice_n be_v that_o you_o will_v choose_v this_o way_n rather_o than_o the_o other_o for_o this_o way_n all_o thing_n consider_v appear_v most_o fit_a and_o