A09364:142
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.
The right way of ministering Comfort to a party distressed followeth. In the handling whereof, first, I will lay down the Grounds, whereby any man that belongs to God, may be brought within the Covenant. And then, I will show the Right Way, how they must be used, and applied.
The right way of ministring Comfort to a partie distressed followeth. In the handling whereof, first, I will lay downe the Grounds, whereby any man that belongs to God, may be brought within the Couenant. And then, I will shew the Right Way, how they must be vsed, and applied.
For the first. Recourse must not be had to all graces, or to all degrees and measures of grace; but only such, as a troubled Conscience may feel and reach unto. For those that be the true children of God, and have excellent measure of grace; when they are in distress, feel little or no grace at all in themselves. The graces then, that serve for this purpose, are three. Faith, Repentance, and the true Love of God. which is the fruit of them both. And that we may the more easily and truly discern of them, and not be deceived, inquiry must be made, what be the Seeds and beginnings of them all.
For the first. Recourse must not be had to all graces, or to all degrees and measures of grace; but onely such, as a troubled Conscience may feele and reach vnto. For those that be the true children of God, and haue excellent measure of grace; when they are in distresse, feele little or no grace at all in themselues. The graces then, that serue for this purpose, are three. Faith, Repentance, and the true Loue of God. which is the fruit of them both. And that we may the more easily and truly discerne of them, and not be deceiued, inquirie must be made, what be the Seedes and beginnings of them all.
The first Ground of grace is this: A desire to repent, and believe, in a touched heart and conscience, is faith and repentance it self, though not in nature, yet in Gods acceptation. I prove it thus. It is a principle granted and