A09364:333
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.
Yet here remains a great difficulty. Many a good servant of God, may, and doth truly say of himself, I bewail my sins, and do in some sort rest on Gods mercy, and withal I endeavour to perform new obedience: but alas! here is my grief, I cannot do these things as I would. In matter of sorrow and grief, I am troubled with hardness of heart: in occasions of boldness and confidence, with doubting: in endeavour to obey, with many sins, and sundry faults. For the staying and moderating of this grief, these rules may further be remembered.
Yet here remaines a great difficultie. Many a good seruant of God, may, and doth truly say of himselfe, I bewaile my sinnes, and doe in some sort rest on Gods mercie, and withall I endeauour to performe new obedience: but alas! here is my griefe, I cannot doe these things as I would. In matter of sorrow and griefe, I am troubled with hardnes of heart: in occasions of boldnes and confidence, with doubting: in indeauour to obey, with many sinnes, and sundrie faults. For the staying and moderating of this griefe, these rules may further be remembred.
The first Rule. If there be in the mind, a purpose not to sin, in the will, a desire to please God, and in the whole man, an endeavour to perform the purpose of the mind, and the desire ⟨p. 170⟩of the will: mark what follows upon this: God in mercy accepteth the purpose and will to obey, for obedience it self; yea though a man fail in the very act, and do not so well as he should. This is a great mercy of God, and we can never be sufficiently thankful for the same. But yet that we may not here delude our hearts with conceits, and bless our selves in vain: we must know, that God doth not always accept the will for the deed, unless there be a constant purpose in heart, a true desire in will, and some resolved endeavour suitable in the life. Malach. 3. 17. Goa spares them that fear him, as a father spares his own child. How is that? though the child being commanded some business, goeth about it very unhandsomely, and so the deed be done to small purpose: yet the father accepts it as well done, if he see the child yield unto his commandment, and do his endeavour, to the uttermost of his power. Even so will God deal with those that be his children.