A09364:100
The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three main questions concerning…The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three maine questions concerning…
The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three main questions concerning man, simply considered in himself, are propounded and resolved, according to the word of God. Taught and delivered, by M. William Perkins in his Holy-day lectures, by himself revised before his death, and now published for the benefit of the Church.The first part of The cases of conscience Wherein specially, three maine questions concerning man, simply considered in himselfe, are propounded and resolued, according to the word of God. Taught and deliuered, by M. William Perkins in his Holy-day lectures, by himselfe revised before his death, and now published for the benefit of the Church.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1604Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1604
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, it is demanded: When faith begins to breed in the heart, and when a man begins to believe in Christ? Answer. When he begins to be touched in conscience for his own sins, and withal hungers and thirsts after Christ, and his righteousness, then beginneth faith. The reason is plain. As faith is renewed, so it is begun, but it is renewed when a man is touched in conscience for his sins, and begins a new to hunger after Christ: therefore when these things first show themselves, then faith first begins. For these were the things that were in David, when he renewed his repentance.1
Secondly, it is demaunded: When faith beginnes to breed in the heart, and when a man beginnes to beleeue in Christ? Answer. VVhen he beginnes to be touched in conscience for his owne sinnes, and withall hungers and thirsts after Christ, and his righteousnesse, then beginneth faith. The reason is plaine. As faith is renewed, so it is begunne, but it is renewed when a man is touched in conscience for his sinnes, and beginnes a new to hunger after Christ: therefore when these things first shew themselues, then faith first begins. For these were the things that were in Dauid, when he renewed his repentance.1
- 1Psal. 51.
The third duty necessary to salvation is Repentance. In which, two things are to be considered▪ the beginning, namely, a Godly Sorrow ⟨p. 58⟩2. Cor. 7. and upon this sorrow a Change. In Sorrow we consider, first, the nature of it; secondly the properties of it. Touching the nature of sorrow, it is either inward or outward. The inward sorrow, is when a man is displeased with himself for his sins. The outward, when the heart declares the grief thereof by tears, or such like signs. And sorrow in this case, called a godly sorrow, is more to be esteemed by the first of these, then by the second. The property of this sorrow, is to make us to be displeased with our selves, for our sins directly, because they are sins, & do displease God. If there were no judge, no hell, or death, yet we must be grieved because we have offended, so merciful a God and loving father. And as godly sorrow will make us thus to do, so is it the next cause of repentance, and by this is repentance discerned.