LORD BISHOP OF DOWN, CONNOR, AND DROMORE:

WITH

A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR,

AND

▲ CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF HIS WRITINGS,

BY

REGINALD HEBER, A.M.

CANON OF ST. ASAPH, RECTOR OF HODNET, AND LATE FELLOW
OF ALL SOULS' COLLEGE, OXFord.

IN FIFTEEN VOLUMES.

VOL. XII.

LONDON:

OGLE, DUNCAN, AND CO. 37, PATERNOSTER ROW, AND 295, HOLBORN;

AND RICHARD PRIESTLEY, 143, HIGH HOLBORN;

J. PARKER, OXFORD; AND DEIGHTON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE.

1822.

BR

75

T2

A2

1822

V.12

T247.1
1822h

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.

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

Conscience does

5

RULE III.

An erring Conscience is a cause of Sin

RULE IV.

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

do an evil Action in obedience to it

16

18

RULE V.

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

20

Error

RULE VI.

Conscience is to be obeyed even against the Commandment of our

Superiors.......

RULE VII.

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...

CHAP. 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

PAGE

22

26

28

31

33

71

RULE IV.

An Opinion speculatively probable, is not always practically the same

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 Pro-

bability 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

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

PAGE

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

RULE XV.

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

Warranty to Actions otherwise undeterminable

115

116

117

118

120

A privative Doubt cannot obstruct a prudent Inducement

.........

123

RULE IV.

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

Doubts of Fact not always

RULE V.

In Doubts the safer Part is to be chosen.

RULE VI.

The Conscience may act against a speculative Doubt

RULE VII.

Every Judgment of the Conscience is sufficient for the Deposition of

a Doubt

RULE VIII.

124

127

133

138

Of two contrary Precepts, the more binding is preferable ......... 140