A09364:129
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.
Now Temptations be of two sorts; either of trial or seducement. Temptations of trial, are such as do befall men, for the trial and proof of the grace of God which is in them. The Temptations of trial are twofold: the first is a combat of the conscience directly and immediately with the wrath of God; which being the most grievous temptation that can be, it causeth the greatest and deepest distress of conscience. The second is, the Trial of the Cross, that is, of outward affliction, whereby God maketh proof of the faith of his children; and not only that, but of their hope, patience, and affiance in his mercy, for their deliverance.
Now Temptations be of two sorts; either of triall or seducement. Temptations of triall, are such as doe befall men, for the triall and proofe of the grace of God which is in them. The Temptations of triall are twofold: the first is a combate of the conscience directly and immediately with the wrath of God; which beeing the most grieuous temptation that can be, it causeth the greatest and deepest distresse of conscience. The second is, the Triall of the Crosse, that is, of outward affliction, whereby God maketh proofe of the faith of his children; and not only that, but of their hope, patience, and affiance in his mercie, for their deliuerance.
Temptations of seducement be such, as wherein men are enticed, to fall from God & Christ, to any kind of evil. And these are of three kinds. The first is, the temptation of Blasphemies, or the Blasphemous temptation, which is from the Devil immediately. The second is, from a mans own sins, original and actual; and this also hath sundry branches, as we shall see afterward. The third proceeds from Imagination corrupted and deceived. Now answerable to these several kinds of temptations, are the several kinds of distresses: and as all temptations may be reduced to those five, which have been before named: so may all distresses be reduced to five heads, arising of the former temptations.
Temptations of seducement be such, as wherin men are entised, to fall from God & Christ, to any kind of euil. And these are of three kinds. The first is, the temptation of Blasphemies, or the Blasphemous temptation, which is from the Deuill immediately. The second is, from a mans owne sinnes, originall and actuall; and this also hath sundrie branches, as we shall see afterward. The third proceeds from Imagination corrupted and deceiued. Now answerable to these seuerall kinds of temptations, are the seueral kinds of distresses: and as all temptations may be reduced to those fiue, which haue beene before named: so may all distresses be reduced to fiue heads, arising of the former temptations.