A09364:145
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.
It will be said, that the desire of good things is natural: and therefore God will not regard ⟨p. 87⟩mens desires. I answer, Desires be of two sorts; some be of such things, as men by the mere light of nature know to be good: for example: the desire of wisdom, of civill virtue, of honour, of happiness, and such like: and all these nature can desire. Others be above nature, as the desire of remission of sins, reconciliation, and sanctification: and they which seriously desire these, have a promise of blessedness and life everlasting. And hence it follows, that desire of mercy, in the want of mercy, is mercy it self; and desire of grace, in the want of grace, is grace it self.
It will be said, that the desire of good things is naturall: and therefore God will not regard ⟨p. 87⟩mens desires. I answer, Desires be of two sorts; some be of such things, as men by the meere light of nature know to be good: for example: the desire of wisdome, of ciuill vertue, of honour, of happinesse, and such like: and all these nature can desire. Others be aboue nature, as the desire of remission of sinnes, reconciliation, and sanctification: and they which seriously desire these, haue a promise of blessednes and life euerlasting. And hence it followes, that desire of mercie, in the want of mercie, is mercie it selfe; and desire of grace, in the want of grace, is grace it selfe.
A second Ground is this. A godly sorrow whereby a man is grieved for his sins, because they are sins, is the beginning of repentance, & indeed for substance is repentance it self. The Apostle Paul rejoiced that he had in the work of his Ministry, wrought this godly sorrow in the hearts of the Corinthians, calling it sorrow that causeth repentance not to be repented of. 1This sorrow may be discerned in this sort: The heart of him in whom it is, is so affected, that though there were no conscience, nor devil to accuse, no hell for condemnation; yet it would be grieved in it self, because God by sin is displeased, and offended.