we are obliged to suspend our action; but then this is the act, not of a doubt∣ful,
but of a right conscience, because in this we are certain, and right, and de∣termined:
so that a doubtful conscience is but an aequivocal and improper consci∣cence;
like an unresolved will, or an artist with his hands bound behinde him:
that is, the man hath a conscience, but it is then in chains and fetters, and he
wears a hood upon his eye, and his arm in a string, and is onely to be taught
how to cut the knot, and to doe some little things of advantage, or security
to his intermedial state of impediment; but a doubtful conscience can be no
rule of humane actions.
But yet some collateral and indirect obligations are pass'd upon the man
by that state of infelicity, according to the nature of the doubt.
In order to which, doubts are considered, either as relating to the Law,
or as relating to matters of fact, viz. whether such a thing be lawful or not?
or whether I did such an action or no, by which I am bound to restitution or
repentance?
Doubts also are Negative, or Positive, that is, they are still upon us be∣cause
there is no means to determine the understanding; as no man can ever
be resolved whether the number of the starres be even or odde; when is the
precise minute in which a man first comes to the use of reason; and this is
called a Negative doubt. The Positive enters by the indifferency of the argu∣ments,
and their equal weight on both sides: as if it be doubted whether the
souls departed enjoy the beatifick vision before the day of Judgement? whe∣ther
Residence on a Benefice be an indispensable precept, or in what cases it
obliges not? whether Ecclesiastical persons be bound by justice or by charity
to give all that they can prudently spare to the poor? These are positive doubts,
because there are many arguments on eithe side.
The Negative doubt is either Metaphysical or Moral, or it is onely a Suspi∣cion;
that is, these are several degrees of such a doubt, for the determination
of which there is no sufficient instrument.
Lastly, sometimes a doubt is placed onely in the understanding, without
any other effect but the trouble of thoughts; and then for methods sake, and
right understanding of the rules of practice, it is called a speculative doubt.
Sometimes this doubt passes on to the conscience, and hath influence upon the
action or event; so as to be an impediment to it, or the spoil of it, that is, so
as to cause that it shall not be done, or if it be done that it becomes a sin:
and this is called a practical doubt.
According to these distinctions the following Rules are useful in order to
practice.