A09364:127
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.
Distress of mind, (which Solomon calls a broken 1or troubled spirit) is, when a man is disquieted and distempered in conscience, and consequently in his affections, touching his estate before God. This distress hath two degrees; the less, and the greater: The less is a single fear, or grief, when a man standeth in suspense and doubt, of his own salvation, and in fear that he shall be condemned. The greater distress is Despair, when a man is without all hope of salvation, in his own sense and apprehension. I call despair a greater distress, because it is not a distinct kind of trouble of mind, (as some do think,) but the highest degree, in every kind of distress. For every distress in the mind, is a fear of condemnation, and comes at length to desperation▪ if it be not cured.
DIstresse of mind, (which Salomō calls a brokē 1or troubled spirit) is, whē a mā is disquieted and distempered in conscience, and consequently in his affections, touching his estate before God. This distresse hath two degrees; the lesse, and the greater: The lesse is a single feare, or griefe, when a man standeth in suspense and doubt, of his owne saluation, and in feare that he shall be condemned. The greater distresse is Despaire, when a man is without all hope of saluation, in his owne sense and apprehension. I call dispaire a greater distresse, because it is not a distinct kind of trouble of minde, (as some doe thinke,) but the highest degree, in euery kinde of distresse. For euery distresse in the minde, is a feare of condemnation, and comes at length to desperation▪ if it be not cured.
All distress of mind, ariseth from temptation, either begun or continued. For these two do so necessarily follow, and so inseparably accompany each the other, that no distress, of what kind soever, can be severed from temptation. And therefore according to the divers sorts of temptations, that do befall men, must the distresses of the mind be distinguished.