CHAP. I.
COnscience is a sensible feeling of Gods iudgements grounded vpon the word, nourished by the consideration of the latter day, stirring vp our hearts to the approouing of our doings both before God and men. It is an effect of faith, faith therefore as the cause must goe be∣fore; where no faith is, there is no knowledge; where there is no knowledge, there is no conscience. Many men say, this is my cōscience; they might better say, this is mine opinion, this is my fancie. Know∣ledge is lesse than faith, and opinion lesse than knowledge. Againe, it is placed in the heart, to the stirring vp of vs, and summoning of vs to approoue those things which we knowe before God. We must not make our conscience like a cheuerel purse, stretch it too farre, or too narrow, that is, bee not too righteous, as the Anabaptists, and the Familie of loue. Saul in sparing Agag would be too mercifull, and afterwards waxed cruell, by killing the Prophets. Those that are true * 1.1 Puritanes are such. We must not let our conscience looser than the Scriptures be, for then wee fall to be prophane. Take heede of extreames, for ver∣tue is a meane betweene two extreames, taking something of one, and something of the* 1.2 other; knowledge of generals, and conscience of particulars. Papists, and Iusticiaries, be∣cause they haue no knowledge, but rest vpon their doings, they can haue no conscience.* 1.3
2 In our cōscience we must begin with the weightiest matters, as that our sins are remit∣ted* 1.4 by Christ, that our infirmities are couered, &c: but, to begin at small matters, and passe ouer great, is to swallow vp a Camel, and to straine at a gnat, to tithe Mint, Anise and Com∣mine it is Pharisaicall. Keepe the foundation; if wee erre in inferiours, Gods spirite will in time reueale it, and the fire will consume it.
3 Conscience approoueth our doings to God, that is, the thing that is done, albeit there be infirmity in the action, that is, either the manner of doing, or the affection of our doing is not good. A thing is named of the greater part: Wine a little mixed with water* 1.5 is wine, Aqua vitae is so called, because it is the principall: so it is called a good conscience, though some infirmitie be in it.
4 Conscience is good, or euill, naturall, and good; an erroneous conscience is where is no knowledge, but ignorance, or doubting, as to doubt in Gods prouidence, Mat. 4. Com∣maund that these stones may be bread, &c.