A09364:134
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, if the cause may be known, (for sometime it is hid, from the party distressed) then trial must be made, whether the said party, be fit for comfort yea or no? For if he be found to be unfit, the word of God shall be misapplied, and consequently abused. His fitness for comfort, may be found out, by searching whether he be humbled for his sins, or not; for men may be in great distress, and yet not touched at all, for their sins. This humiliation stands in sorrow for sin, with confession of the same unto God, and in earnest prayer for the pardon thereof, with an hearty desire of amendment of life. But if on the other side, the party be unhumbled, then the first and principal care must be, to work in him some beginning of humiliation. This may be done in a friendly, and Christian talk and conference, whereby he must first be brought to see, and well to consider his own sins; secondly, to grieve, and to be sorry for them, at the least, for some of the principal.
Secondly, if the cause may be knowne, (for sometime it is hid, from the partie distressed) thē triall must be made, whether the said partie, be fit for comfort yea or no? For if he be found to be vnfit, the word of God shall be misapplyed, and consequently abused. His fitnesse for comfort, may be found out, by searching whether he be humbled for his sinnes, or not; for mē may be in great distresse, and yet not touched at all, for their sinnes. This humiliation stands in sorrow for sinne, with confession of the same vnto God, and in earnest praier for the pardon thereof, with an heartie desire of amendment of life. But if on the other side, the partie be vnhumbled, then the first and principall care must be, to worke in him some beginning of humiliation. This may be done in a freindly, and Christian talke and conference, whereby he must first be brought to see, and well to consider his own sinnes; secondly, to grieue, and to be sorrie for them, at the least, for some of the principall.
And touching this sorrow, two things must be remembered: first, that the nature of worldly sorrow must be altered, by being turned, and changed into sorrow according to God. If a man be in some danger of his life, by bleeding at the nose: experience teacheth, the counsel of the Physician is, to open a vain, and let the party blood in the arm, that the course thereof may