 St. Paul, then, introduces an entirely new phase in the history of the term “conscience” in moral theory, and two new features characterize his use of it. First, it is to play a directive role before action takes place. In the pagan writers, conscience did not appear on the scene until after the action was performed, and its role was purely judicial; but in St. Paul, conscience is credited with a legislative function, and it induces an obligation in the proper sense. Second, conscience is fallible: the directions it issues may be mistaken; but whether it be mistaken or not, it seems that we are bound to follow its rulings. (D’Arcy 1961: 11–12)