A09364:323
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.
And the grounds of comfort, whereby the heart may be stayed in this sorrow, that it be not immoderate, may be these.
And the grounds of comfort, whereby the heart may be staied in this sorrow, that it be not immoderate, may be these.
I. Ground. It is Gods will, that the work of sanctification, or regeneration, should be imperfect in this life, and remain unfinished till death. This point needs no proof, for it is manifest both in the word of God, and in daily experience. The reasons for which God will have it to be so, may be these.
I. Ground. It is Gods will, that the worke of sanctification, or regeneration, should be imperfect in this life, and remaine vnfinished til death. This point needs no proofe, for it is manifest both in the word of God, and in daily experience. The reasons for which God will haue it to be so, may be these.
First of all, God gives grace, according to the measure, and manner of our receiving of it, which in this life is imperfect. Some gifts of God in Christ, bestowed on his servants, as remission of sins by his death, and justification by his obedience, are not put into us, but are only applied and made ours by imputation. Some other gifts there be, which are infused and put into us, as namely, sanctification, regeneration, the love of God and man: and by one of these two means, to wit, either by imputation or infusion, are all the gifts of God in Christ made ours. Yet before we can have them, we must receive them: and the means whereby we receive them is faith, which God hath ordained, to be the hand of our souls, to receive his benefits bestowed on us. Which faith because it is weak and imperfect, in this life, therefore the gifts which we receive thereby, are also imperfect. For though Gods benefits be like a bottomless sea, yet the faith, whereby we lay hold of them, is like unto a vessel with a narrow