Hall, Joseph (1574-1656)

Cases of Conscience Practically Resolved Containing a Decision of the Principall Cases of Conscience of Daily Concernment and Continual Use Amongst Men: Very Necessary for their Information and Direction in these Evil Times

London

Printed by R.H. and J.G.

1654

"[T]here are cases wherein this law must vaile to an higher, which is the law of Conscience: Woe be to that man who shall tye himselfe so close to the letter of the law, as to make shipwrack of conscience; And that bird in his bosome will tell him, that if upon what ever pretences, he shall willingly condemne an innocent, he is no better than a murtherer."

Secondly, the law of judging according to allegations and proofs is a good generall direction in the common course of proceedings; but there are cases wherein this law must vaile to an higher, which is the law of Conscience: Woe be to that man who shall tye himselfe so close to the letter of the law, as to make shipwrack of conscience; And that bird in his bosome will tell him, that if upon what ever pretences, he shall willingly condemne an innocent, he is no better than a murtherer.
(p. 119)

Government::Law Vehicles::Ship::Shipwreck Animals::Bird

Reading Whitman, James Q. The Origins of Reasonable Doubt: Theological Roots of the Criminal Trial. Yale UP, 2008. p. 170. <Link to Google Books>

Hall, Joseph (1574-1656). Cases of Conscience Practically Resolved. 3rd edition. London: Printed by R.H. and J.G., 1654. <Link to EEBO>

01/13/2010