A09364:104
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.
Here a necessary Question is moved. Considering that all good works, are the fruits of a regenerate person, & are contained under new obedience▪ How a man may do a good work, that may be accepted of God, & please him? For resolution whereof, it is to be carefully remembered, that to the doing of a good work, sundry things are required: Whereof, some in nature do go before the work to be done, some do accompany the doing thereof, and some again do follow the work, being required to be done, when the work is done. Before the work, there goes reconciliation: for the person must be reconciled unto God in Christ, and be pleasing to him: for if the person of the worker do not please God, the work it self cannot; neither are works of what dignity soever, to be esteemed by the show, and outward appearance of them, but by the mind and condition of the doer. Again, before we do any good work, we must by prayer lift up our hearts unto God, and desire him to enable us by his spirit to do it, & to guide us by the same, in the action, which we are about to do. This did the Prophet David oftentimes, as we ⟨p. 62⟩may read in the Psalms, but especially in Psal. 143. 10. when he saith; Teach me to do thy will O God, for thou art my God, let thy good spirit lead me, unto the land of righteousness.
Here a necessarie Question is mooued. Cōsidering that all good workes, are the fruits of a regenerate person, & are contained vnder newe obedience▪ How a man may doe a good worke, that may be accepted of God, & please him? For resolutiō wherof, it is to be carefully remēbred, that to the doing of a good worke, sundrie things are required: Wherof, some in nature do goe before the worke to be done, some doe accompany the doing thereof, and some againe doe followe the worke, being required to be done, when the worke is done. Before the worke, there goes reconciliation: for the person must be reconciled vnto God in Christ, and be pleasing to him: for if the person of the worker doe not please God, the worke it selfe cannot; neither are workes of what dignitie soeuer, to be esteemed by the shevv, and outvvard appearance of them, but by the mind and condition of the doer. Againe, before vve doe any good vvorke, vve must by praier lift vp our hearts vnto God, and desire him to inable vs by his spirit to doe it, & to guid vs by the same, in the action, vvhich vve are about to doe. This did the Prophet Dauid oftentimes, as vve