A09364:305
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 second rule of the keeping of the heart, is to establish our thoughts by counsel. It is the wisemans advise in so many words. Prou. 20. 18. wherein he would teach us, that it is the property of a worldly wise man, in matters of weight, not to trust to his own wit, but to follow the direction and counsel of wise and skilful men. And if this be a sound course in matters of the world, much more ought it to be taken, in the main matters of religion, and conscience, concerning the heart and soul of man. And therefore by the law of proportion, it gives us direction, not once to think or conceive, so much as a thought, but upon advice and direction taken at God and his word. Thy testimonies (saith David) are my delight, 1and my counsellors. And what benefit had he by taking such a course? surely, by the word of God, which was his continual meditation, he gat understanding, he became wiser than the ancient; it made him to hate all the ways of falsehood: it kept him from declining from God, either to the right hand, or to the left. The same rule must be practiced of us, in the use of our senses, our speeches, and actions, and then shall the heart be kept clean, and free from these temptations.
The second rule of the keeping of the heart, is to establish our thoughts by counsell. It is the wisemans aduise in so many words. Prou. 20. 18. wherin he would teach vs, that it is the property of a worldly wise man, in matters of waight, not to trust to his own wit, but to follow the direction and counsel of wise and skilful men. And if this be a sound course in matters of the world, much more ought it to be taken, in the maine matters of religion, and conscience, concerning the heart and soule of man. And therfore by the law of proportiō, it giues vs direction, not once to thinke or conceiue, so much as a thought, but vpon aduice and direction taken at God and his word. Thy testimonies (saith Dauid) are my delight, 1and my counsellers. And what benefit had he by taking such a course? surely, by the word of God, which was his continuall meditation, he gat vnderstāding, he became wiser thē the ancient; it made him to hate al the waies of falshood: it kept him from declining from God, either to the right hand, or to the left. The same rule must be practized of vs, in the vse of our senses, our speeches, and actions, and then shall the heart be kept cleane, and free from these temptations.