A09364:316
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 fourth ground is this. The promises of God touching remission of sins, and l•fe eternal, in respect of believers are general, and in regard of all and every man indefinite: that is, they do not define, or exclude any person, or any sinner, or any time; only they admit one exception, of final impenitency. Here a question may be moved, Howe long he that ministereth comfort, must stand upon the possibility of pardon? I answer, until he hath brought the party distressed, to some measure of true repentance: and this being done, then he is to proceed to the second degree of comfort.
The fourth ground is this. The promises of God touching remission of sinnes, and l•fe eternall, in respect of beleeuers are generall, and in regard of all and euery man indefinite: that is, they doe not define, or exclude any person, or any sinner, or any time; onely they admit one exception, of finall impenitencie. Here a question may be mooued, Howe long he that ministreth comfort, must stand vpon the possibilitie of pardon? I answer, vntill he hath brought the partie distressed, to some measure of true repentance: and this beeing done, then he is to proceede to the second degree of comfort.
The second degree of comfort is, to teach, that the sin or sins of the party distressed, are indeed pardoned. But it may be asked, upon what signs may this comfort be applied? I answer, upon these two. First, if the party distressed confess, that he or she ⟨p. 163⟩is heartily grieved, that by their sin or sins, they have offended so loving and so merciful a God. Secondly, if they profess, that they desire with all their heart, to be reconciled unto God in Christ: and at least do desire to repent for their sins; and withal do carry in heart, a purpose to sin no more, but in all things, (as much as in them lieth) to perform new obedience unto God. Now for the better enforcing of this comfort, some texts of Scripture, fitting this purpose must be rehearsed, as for example,