LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES MOYES, CASTLE STREET,

LEICESTER SQUARE.

CONTENTS

OF

THE TWELFTH VOLUME.

THE RULE OF CONSCIENCE.

BOOK I.-continued.

OF CONSCIENCE, THE KINDS OF IT, AND THE GENERAL RULES

OF CONDUCTING THEM.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE CONFIDENT OR ERRONEOUS CONSCIENCE.

RULE I.

An erroneous Conscience defined

RULE II.

An erroneous Conscience binds us to Obedience, but not so as a right

Conscience does

...

RULE III.

PAGE

1

5

An erring Conscience is a Cause of Sin

RULE IV.

....

16

It is a greater Sin to do a good Action against our Conscience, than to

do an evil Action in Obedience to it

It is not lawful to delight in an evil Action, after the Discovery of our

Error..

20

Conscience is to be obeyed even against the Commandment of our

Superiors

RULE VII.

.. 22

An abused Conscience ought to be reformed by the Will, and con-

trary Reason...

RULE VIII.

The Error of a Conscience is not always to be opened to the erring

Person

26

28

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE PROBABLE, OR THINKING CONSCIENCE.

RULE I.

A probable Conscience defined

RULE II.

A probable Conscience may be made certain

RULE III.

Of two Opinions equally probable, one may be safer

RULE IV.

333

138

71

An Opinion speculatively probable, is not always practically the same.. 72

RULE V.

The greater Probability destroys the less..

RULE VI.

When two Opinions seem equally probable, the last Determination is

to be made by collateral Inducements...

RULE VII.

It is not lawful to change our practical Sentence, while the same

Probability remains

RULE VIII.

A Probability is not to be followed, except in great Necessity

RULE IX.

Multitude of Authors is not ever the most probable Inducement

RULE X.

......

In following the Authority of Men, the Choice is wholly to be con-

ducted by Prudence....

100

RULE XI.

A probable opinion may be lawfully deposed, upon Confidence of the

Sentence of another

PAGB

109

RULE XII.

He that inquires of several Doctors until he find one answering accord-

ing to his Mind, cannot by that Inquiry make his Conscience safe 113

RULE XIII.

A Man may sometimes answer against his own Opinion

RULE XIV.

The Guide of Souls may sometimes proceed according to the Con-

science of the Penitent

116

RULE XV.

The probable Sentence of a prudent Man, is more than a probable War-

ranty to Actions otherwise undeterminable

CHAPTER V.

...

OF A DOUBTFUL CONSCIENCE.

RULE I.

A doubtful Conscience defined

RULE II.

In Doubts of Right, or Law, we are always bound to inquire, but in

Doubts of Fact not always

Every Judgment of the Conscience is sufficient for the Deposition of

Doubt

RULE VIII.

Of two contrary Precepts, the more binding is preferable......

133

.... 138

140

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE SCRUPULOUS CONSCHIML

A scrupulous Conscience defined

RULE L

RULE II.

A Conscience sufficiently instructed by proper Arguments may

proceed to Action against the Scruple.....

RULE IIL

He that is troubled with Scruples, ought to rely upon the Judgment of

a prudent Guide....

RULE IV.

When a Doubt is resolved in the Entrance of an Action, we must judge

of our Action by the same Measures as before.....

PAGE

172

177

180

ib.

The Law of Nature is the Foundation of all Laws, and the Measure of

their Obligation

RULE III.

228

The greatest Band of the Law of Nature is the Fear of Punishment.... 230

RULE IV.

The second Band of Virtue is Love

....

236

RULE V.

The Imperfection of civil Laws is supplied by natural Obligation