A09364:15
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 by the benefit & abuse of this Doctrine, we see how necessary it is, that in Churches which profess Christian religion, it should be more taught, & further enlarged then it is. And to this purpose it were to be wished, that men of knowledge in the Ministry, that have by the grace of God attained unto the Tongue of the learned, would employ their pains this way: not only in searching into the depth of such points as stand in bare speculation, but in annexing thereunto the grounds and conclusions of practise, whereby they might both inform the judgement, and rectify the conscience of the hearers. By this means it would come to pass, that the poor distressed soul might be relieved, piety and devotion more practiced, the kingdom of Sin, Satan, and Antichrist weakened, & impaired, & the contrary kingdom of Christ Jesus more & more established.
Now by the benefit & abuse of this Doctrine, we see how necessary it is, that in Churches which professe Christian religion, it should be more taught, & further inlarged then it is. And to this purpose it were to be wished, that men of knowledge in the Ministerie, that haue by the grace of God attained vnto the Tongue of the learned, would imploy their paines this way: not onely in searching into the depth of such points as stand in bare speculation, but in annexing thereunto the grounds and conclusions of practise, whereby they might both informe the iudgement, and rectifie the conscience of the hearers. By this meanes it would come to passe, that the poore distressed soule might be releeued, pietie and deuotion more practized, the kingdome of Sinne, Satan, and Antichrist weakened, & impayred, & the contrarie kingdome of Christ Iesus more & more established.
What the Author & contriver of the discourse ensuing hath done in this behalf, it is evident by the whole course of his writings, that he hath left behind him: all which, as they do openly show unto the world, how great a measure of knowledge & understanding, with other endowments both of nature and grace, the Lord had enriched him withal, so do they carry with them the sweet savour of piety and sanctification, wherewith he approved his heart unto god, & his life unto men. Wherein also upon occasion he hath propounded, ⟨image 7⟩