Perkins, William (1558-1602)

A Discourse of Conscience

Cambridge

Printed by John Legate

1596

"Vnderstanding is that facultie in the soale whereby we vse reason: and it is the more principall part seruing to rule and order the whole man, and therefore it is placed in the soule to be as the wagginer in the waggin."

I say conscience is a part of the vnderstanding, and I shew it thus. God in framing of the soule placed in it two principall faculties, Vnderstanding and Will. Vnderstanding is that facultie in the soale whereby we vse reason: and it is the more principall part seruing to rule and order the whole man, and therefore it is placed in the soule to be as the wagginer in the waggin. The Will is an other facultie, whereby we doe will or nill any thing, that is, choose or refuse it. With the will is ioyned sundrie affections, as ioy, sorrow, loue, hatred, &c. whereby we imbrace or eschew that which is good or euill. Now, conscience is not placed in the affections nor will, but in the vnderstanding, because the actions thereof stand in the vse of reason. Vnderstanding againe hath two parts. The first is that which stands in the view and contemplation of truth and falshood, and goes no further. The second is that which stands in the view and consideration of euery particular action, to search whether it be good or badde. The first is called the Theorical, the second the practical vnderstanding. And vnder this latter is conscience to be comprehended: because his propertie is to iudge of the goodnes or badnes of things or actions done.

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Reading

Perkins, William. A Discourse of Conscience. Cambridge: Printed by John Legate, 1596. <Link to EEBO>

01/11/2010