secret testimony of the soul, whereby it gives its approbation to things that are naturally good, and condemns those that are evil. See Moral Philosophy.

A man of integrity will never listen to any reason, or give way to any measure, or be misled by any inducement, against conscience.—The inhabitants of a great town offered Marshal de Turenne 100,000 crowns, upon condition he would take another road, and not march his troops their way. He answered them, "As your town is not on the road I intend to march, I cannot accept the money you offer me."—The Earl of Derby, in the reign of Edward III., making a descent in Guienne, carried by storm the town of Bergerac, and gave it up to be plundered. A Welch knight happened by chance to light upon the receiver's office. He found there such a quantity of money that he thought himself obliged to acquaint his general with it, imagining that so great a booty naturally belonged to him. But he was agreeably surprised when the earl told him, with a pleasant countenance, that he wished him joy of his good fortune; and that he did not make the keeping of his word to depend upon the great or little value of the thing he had promised.—In the siege of Falisci by Camillus general of the Romans, the schoolmaster of the town, who had the children of the senators under his care, led them abroad under the pretext of recreation, and carried them to the Roman camp, saying to Camillus, that by this artifice he had delivered Falisci into his hands. Camillus abhorring this treachery, observed, "That there were laws for war as well as for peace; and that the Romans were taught to make war with integrity not less than with courage." He ordered the schoolmaster to be stripped, his hands to be bound behind his back, and to be delivered to the boys to be lashed back into the town. The Falerians, formerly obstinate in resistance, struck with an act of justice so illustrious, delivered themselves up to the Romans; convinced that they would be far better to have the Romans for their allies than their enemies.

It is a saying, That no man ever offended his own conscience, but first or last it was revenged upon him. The power of conscience indeed has been remarked in all ages, and the examples of it upon record are innumerable. The following is related by Mr Fordyce, in his Dialogues on Education, as a real occurrence which happened in a neighbouring state not many years ago. A jeweller, a man of good character and considerable wealth, having occasion in the way of his business to travel at some distance from the place of his abode, took along with him a servant, in order to take care of his portmanteau. He had with him some of his best jewels, and a large sum of money, to which his servant was likewise privy. The master having occasion to dismount on the road, the servant watching his opportunity, took a pistol from his master's saddle and shot him dead on the spot; then raised him off his jewels and money, and hanging a large stone to his neck, he threw him into the nearest canal. With this booty he made off to a distant part of the country, where he had reason to believe that neither he nor his master were known. There he began to trade in a very low way at first, that his obliquity might screen him from observation, and in the course of a good many years seemed to rise, by the natural progress of business, into wealth and consideration; so that his good fortune appeared at once the effect and reward of industry and virtue. Of these he counterfeited the appearance so well, that he grew into great credit, married into a good family, and by laying out his sudden stores discreetly, as he saw occasion, and joining to all an universal affability, he was admitted to a share of the government of the town, and rose from one post to another, till at length he was chosen chief magistrate. In this office he maintained a fair character, and continued to fill it with no small applause, both as a governor and a judge; till one day as he sat on the bench with some of his brethren, a criminal was brought before him who was accused of murdering his master. The evidence came out full, the jury brought in their verdict that the prisoner was guilty, and the whole assembly waited the sentence of the president of the court (which he happened to be that day) with great suspense. Mean while he appeared to be in unusual disorder and agitation of mind, and his colour changed often; at length he arose from his seat, and coming down from the bench, placed himself just by the unfortunate man at the bar. "You see before you (said he, addressing himself to those who had sat on the bench with him), a striking instance of the just awards of heaven, which this day, after 30 years concealment, presents to you a greater criminal than the man just now found guilty." Then he made an ample confession of his guilt, and of all its aggravations. "Nor can I feel (continued he) any relief from the agonies of an awakened conscience, but by requiring that justice be forthwith done against me in the most public and solemn manner." We may easily suppose the amazement of all the assembly, and especially of his fellow-judges. However, they proceeded, upon this confession, to pass sentence upon him, and he died with all the symptoms of a penitent mind.

Courts of Conscience, are courts for recovery of small debts, constituted by act of parliament in London, Westminster, &c. and other populous and trading districts.

Consciousness. Metaphysicians, in lieu of the word conscience, which seems appropriated to theological or moral matters, ordinarily use that of consciousness; whereby they mean an inner sentiment of a thing, whereof one may have a clear and distinct notion. In this sense they say that we do not know our own soul, nor are assured of the existence of our own thoughts, otherwise than by self consciousness. See Metaphysics.

Conscripti, in Roman antiquity, an appellation given to the senators of Rome, who were called con- CONFESSION script fathers, on account of their names being all entered in one register.

CONFECTION, the act of devoting anything to the service and worship of God. The Mosaic law ordained, that all the first-born, both of man and beast, should be sanctified or consecrated to God. We find also, that Joshua consecrated the Gibeonites, as Solomon and David did the Nethinims, to the service of the temple; and that the Hebrews sometimes consecrated their fields and cattle to the Lord, after which they were no longer in their power.

Among the ancient Christians, the consecration of churches was performed with a great deal of pious solemnity. In what manner it was done for the three first ages, is uncertain; the authentic accounts reaching no higher than the fourth, when, in the peaceable reign of Constantine, churches were everywhere built, and dedicated with great solemnity. Some think the consecration consisted in setting up the sign of the cross, or in placing a communion-table in the church; and others, that no more was done than preaching a panegyrical sermon in commemoration of the founder, and that then they proceeded to prayers, one of which was composed for purpose for the church to be consecrated. The Romanists have a great deal of pious popery in the ceremonies of consecration; which they bestow on almost everything, as bells, candles, books, water, oil, affix, palms, swords, banners, pictures, crosses, agnus-dei's, roses, children's clouts, &c.

In England, churches have been always consecrated with particular ceremonies, the form of which was left to the discretion of the bishop. That observed by bishop Laud, in consecrating St Catherine Creed church, in London, gave great offence.

CONSECRATION is particularly used for the benediction of the elements in the eucharist.