his own purposes, 8, 9, ver. Seel it is a witness, as the eye is to the Henry and Gill in loc.; Stilling-action done before it; or, as South fleet's Orig. Sac. 1. iii, c. v, § 2-4; observes, it is a double or joint Shuckford's Con. vol. i. p. 124-knowledge, namely, one of a di140; Vitringa's Obs. vol. i, diss. vine law or rule, and the other 1, c. ix; Le Clerc's Diss. No. vi; of a man's own action. It may be Hutchinson on the confusion of defined to be the judgment which Tongues; Bishop Law's Theory of a man passes on the morality of Religion, p. 66. his actions as to their purity or CONGREGATION, an as-turpitude; or the secret testimony sembly of people met together for of the soul, whereby it approves religious worship. The term has things that are good, and conbeen also used for assemblies of demns those that are evil. Some cardinals appointed by the pope object to its being called an act, hafor the discharge of certain func-bit, or faculty. An act, say they, tions, after the manner of our would be represented as an agent, offices and courts: such as the whereas conscience is a testimony. congregation of the inquisition, the To say it is a habit, is to speak of congregation of rites, of alms, &c. it as a disposition acting, which is &c. It also signifies a company scarce more accurate than ascribor society of religious persons can- ing one act to another; and, betoned out of this or that order, sides, it would be strange language and making an inferior order, &c. to say that conscience itself is a Such are the congregations of the habit. Against defining it by the Oratory; those of Cluny, &c. name of a power or faculty, it among the Benedictines. is objected, that it occasions a CONGREGATIONALISTS, false notion of it, as a distinct a denomination of Protestants who power from reason.

reject all church government, ex- The rules of conscience. We must cept that of a single congregation distinguish between a rule that of under the direction of one pastor, itself and immediately binds the with their elders, assistants, or ma-conscience, and a rule that is ocnagers. See CHURCH. casionally of use to direct and saCONONITES, a denomination tisfy the conscience. Now in the which appeared in the sixth cen- first sense the will of God is the tury. They derived their name only rule immediately binding the from Conon, bishop of Tarsus. He conscience. No one has autho

taught that the body never lost rity over the conscience but God. its form; that its matter alone All penal laws, therefore, in matwas subject to corruption and de-ters of mere conscience, or things cay, and was to be restored when that do not evidently affect the cithis mortal shall put on immor-vil state, are certainly unlawful; tality. yet, secondly, the commands of CONSCIENCE signifies know-superiors, not only natural as paledge in conjunction; that is, in rents, but civil as magistrates or conjunction with the fact to which masters, and every man's pri

rects.

vate engagements, are rules of as it were, by chance, and withconscience in things indifferent. out any just ground to build on. -3. The examples of wise and 5. An erroneous conscience is a good men may become rules of conscience mistaken in its decisiconscience; but hear it must be ons about the nature of actions. observed, that no example or 6. A doubting conscience is a judgment is of any authority a-conscience unresolved about the gainst law: where the law is doubt-nature of actions; on account of ful, and even where there is no the equal or nearly equal probabidoubt, the side of example cannot lities which appear for and against be taken till inquiry has been first each side of the question. made concerning what the law di- 7. Of an evil conscience there are several kinds. Conscience, in Conscience has been considered regard to actions in general, is as, 1. natural, or that common evil when it has lost more or less principle which instructs men of the sense it ought to have of the all countries and religions in the natural distinctions of moral good duties to which they are all alike and evil this is a polluted or obliged. There seems to be some-defiled conscience. Conscience thing of this in the minds of all is evil in itself when it gives eimen. Even in the darkest re-ther none or a false testimony as gions of the earth, and among the to past actions when reflecting rudest tribes of men, a distinction upon wickedness it feels no pains, has ever been made between just it is evil, and said to be seared, or and unjust, a duty and a crime. hardened, 1st Tim. iv, 2. It is 2. A right conscience is that also evil when during the commiswhich decides aright, or, accord-sion of sin it lies quiet. In regard ing to the only rule of rectitude, to future actions, conscience is evil the law of God. This is also if it does not startle at the propocalled a well-informed conscience, sal of sin, or connives at the comwhich in all its decisions proceeds mission of it. upon the most evident principles of truth.

For the right management of conscience, we should, 1. Endea5. A probable conscience is that your to obtain acquaintance with which, in cases which admit of the law of God, and with our own the brightest and fullest light, con- tempers and lives, and frequently tents itself with bare probabilities. compare them together. The consciences of many are of 3. Furnish conscience with geno higher character; and though neral principles of the most exwe must not say a man cannot be tensive nature and strongest insaved with such a conscience, yet fluence; such as the supreme love such a conscience is not so perfect of God; love to our neighbours as it might be. as ourselves; and that the care 4. An ignorant conscience is of our souls is of the greatest imthat which may declare right, but, portance.

3. Preserve the purity of con-that Joshua consecrated the Giscience. 4. Maintain the freedom of con-did the Nethinims, to the service beonites, as David and Solomon science, particularly against inte- of the temple; and that the Herest, passion, temper, example, and brews sometimes consecrated their the authority of great names. fields and cattle to the Lord, after

5. We should accustom our-which they were no longer in their selves to cool reflections on our power. Among the ancient chrispast actions. See Grove's and tians, the consecration of churches Paley's Moral Philosophy; South's was performed with a great deal of Sermons, vol. ii, ser. 12; and books pious solemnity. In what manner under CASUISTRY. CONSCIOUSNESS, the per- is uncertain, the authentic acit was done for the three first ages ception of what passes in a man's counts reaching no higher than own mind. We must not con- the fourth century, when, in the found the terms consciousness and peaceable reign of Constantine, conscience; for though the Latin churches were every where built be ignorant of any such distinc-and dedicated with great solemnition, including both in the word ty. conscientia, yet there is a great deal of foppery in the ceremonies The Romanists have a great deal of difference between them of consecration, which they bestow in our language. Consciousness on almost every thing; as bells, is confined to the actions of the candles, books, water, oil, ashes, mind, being nothing else but that palms, swords, banners, pictures, knowledge of itself which is in-crosses, agnus deis, roses, &c. separable from every thought and In England, churches have been voluntary motion of the soul. always consecrated with particuConscience extends to all human lar ceremonies, the form of which actions, bodily as well as mental. was left to the discretion of the Consciousness is the knowledge of bishop. That observed by abp. the existence; conscience of the Laud, in consecrating Saint Camoral nature of actions. Conscious-therine Cree church, in London, ness is a province of metaphysics; gave great offence, and well it conscience of morality. CONSECRATION, a rite or observes, to have made even a might. It was enough, as one ceremony of dedicating things or popish cardinal blush, and which persons to the service of God. It no Protestant can read but with is used for the benediction of the indignant concern. elements at the eucharist: the or-came attended with several of the "The bishop dination of bishops is also called high commission, and some civiconsecration. lians. At his approach to the

The Mosaical law ordained that west door of the church, which all the first born, both of man and was shut, and guarded by halberbeast, should be sanctified or con-deers, some that were appointed secrated to God. We find also,for that purpose cried with a

loud voice-Open, open, ye ever-phane that holy place by musters lasting doors, that the King of of soldiers, or keeping prophane Glory may come in! Presently law courts, or carrying burdens the doors were opened, and the through it: and at the end of bishop, with some doctors and every curse he bowed to the east, principal men, entered. As soon and said, Let all the people say, as they were within the place, Amen. When the curses were his lordship fell down upon his ended, which were about twenty, knees; and, with eyes lifted up, he pronounced a like number of and his arms spread abroad, said, blessings upon ALL that had any This place is holy; the ground is hand in framing and building that holy in the name of the Father, sacred and beautiful church; and Son, and Holy Ghost, I pronounce on those that had given, or should it holy. Then, walking up the hereafter give, any chalices, plate, middle aisle towards the chan-ornaments, or other utensils; and, cel, he took up some of the dust, at the end of every blessing, he and threw it into the air several bowed to the east, and said, Let times. When he approached all the people say, Amen. After near the rail of the communion- this came the sermon, then the table, he bowed towards it five sacrament, which the bishop conor six times; and, returning, went secrated and administered in the round the church, with his at- following manner :-As he aptendants in procession; saying first proached the altar, he made five the hundredth and then the nine-or six low bows; and coming up teenth Psalm, as prescribed in to the side of it, where the bread the Roman Pontifical. He then and wine were covered, he bowed read several collects, in one of seven times. Then, after reading which he prays God to accept of many prayers, he came near the that beautiful building, and con-bread, and, gently lifting up the cludes thus:-We consecrate this corner of the napkin, beheld it; church, and separate it unto thee and immediately letting fall the as Holy Ground, not to be pro- napkin, he retreated hastily a step phaned any more to common use. or two, and made three low In another he prays-That ALL obeisances: his lordship then adwho should hereafter be buried vanced, and, having uncovered within the circuit of this holy and the bread, bowed three times as sacred place, may rest in their se-before. Then he laid his hand pulchres in peace, till Christ's on the cup, which was full of coming to judgment, and may then wine, with a cover upon it; which rise to eternal life and happiness. having let go, he stepped back, Then the bishop, sitting under a and bowed three times towards it; cloth of state in the aisle of the then he came near again, and, chancel, near the communion-lifting up the cover of the cup, table, took a written book in his looked in it; and seeing the wine, hand, and pronounced curses upon let fall the cover again, retired those who should hereafter pro-back, and bowed as before. Then

the elements were consecrated ;||formed; the effect of which is, and the bishop, having first re- that a man never drops a good ceived, gave it to some principal design out of fear, and is consis men in their surplices, hoods, and tent with himself in all his words tippets; after which, many prayers and actions. being said, the solemnity of the consecration ended.”

CONSISTENTES, a kind of penitents, who were allowed to assist at prayers, but who could not be admitted to receive the sacrament.

Constancy is more particularly required of us, 1. In our devotions, Luke xviii, 1. 1st Thess. v, 17. 18.-2. Under our sufferings, Matt. v, 12, 13. 1st Pet. iv, 12, 13. -3. In our profession and character, Heb. x, 23.-4. In our CONSISTORY, a word com-beneficence, Gal. vi, 9.-5. In our monly used for a council-house of friendships, Prov. xxvii, 10. ecclesiastical persons, or place of CONSUBSTANTIAL, a term justice in the spiritual court: a ses-of like import with co-essential, sion or assembly of prelates. Eve- denoting something of the same ry arch-bishop and bishop of every substance with another. Thus we diocese hath a consistory court, say, that Christ is consubstantial held before his chancellor or com-with the Father. The term missary, in his cathedral church, gros, .consubstantial, was first or other convenient place of his adopted by the fathers of the diocese, for ecclesiastical causes. councils of Antioch and Nice, to The bishop'schancellor isthe judge express the orthodox doctrine the of this court, supposed to be skill-more precisely, and to serve as a ed in the civil and canon law; and barrier and precaution against the in places of the diocese far re-errors and subtleties of the Arimote from the bishop's consistory, ans, who owned every thing exthe bishop appoints a commissary cept the consubstantiality. The to judge in all causes within a Arians allowed that the word was certain district, and a register to God, as having been made God; enter his decrees, &c. Consistory but they denied that he was the at Rome, denotes the college of same God, and of the same subcardinals, or the pope's senate stance with the Father: accordand council, before whom judi-ingly they exerted themselves to ciary causes are pleaded. Con- the utmost to abolish the use of sistory is also used among the re-the word. The emperor Constanformed for a council or assembly tine used all his authority with of ministers and elders to regulate the bishops to have it expunged their affairs, discipline, &c. out of the symbols; but it was re

CONSTANCY, in a general tained, and is at this day, as it sense, denotes immutability, or in-was then, the distinguishing cri variableness. When applied to the terion between an Athanasian and human mind, it is a steady adher-an Arian. See articles ARIANS, ence to those schemes and reso-and JESUS CHRIST. lutions which have been maturely

CONSUBSTANTIATION,