A09364:319
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.
I answer, though we find not any one particular example in scripture, of any one person, that was restored again after a relapse: yet nevertheless there is some comfort for such persons. Upon what grounds may some say? Ans. Men that have not so much as a drop of mercy, in comparison of God, must forgive their brethren often & many times, yea as our Saviour Christ saith to Peter, till seventy times seven times, if they return & say it repents them. Now God is infinite in all his attributes. He is much in sparing: with him is plenteous redemption: and therefore he will questionless, upon true repentance, often forgive & forget, even the same sin iterated again and again. Now these persons are to be relieved in this sort. First they must have their Consciences settled in this point, that their relapse is pardonable, though very dangerous. For proof hereof read Isaiah▪ 2. 18. Where mention is made of divers Apostates, that were by God called to repentance, with promise of pardon, if they turned unto him. And in Luk. 15. the Prodigal child, (by whom I understand one, that after grace received, •ell from his repentance and obedience to God) when he ⟨p. 165⟩did but purpose in his heart to return again, was pardoned, and received into favour. In the 2. Cor. 5. 20. Paul saith to the Corinths, that were fallen away▪ We pray you in Christs stead that ye be reconciled unto God.
I answer, though we finde not any one particular example in scripture, of any one person, that was restored againe after a relapse: yet neuerthelesse there is some comfort for such persons. Vpon what grounds may some say? Ans. Men that haue not so much as a drop of mercy, in cōparison of God, must forgiue their brethrē often & many times, yea as our Sauiour Christ saith to Peter, till seuenty times seauen times, if they returne & say it repents them. Now God is infinite in all his attributes. He is much in sparing: with him is plenteous redemption: and therefore he will questionlesse, vpon true repentance, often forgiue & forget, euen the same sinne iterated againe and againe. Nowe these persons are to be releiued in this sort. First they must haue their Consciences setled in this point, that their relapse is pardonable, though very dangerous. For proofe hereof read Esay 2. 18. Where mention is made of diuers Apostataes, that were by God called to repentance, with promise of pardō, if they turned vnto him. And in