A09364:34
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.
Now in the end of the second verse, is contained an answer to a secret reply, that some obstinate Jew might make after this manner: God hath no• now the like power in saving ⟨p. 3⟩and delivering us, as he hath had in former times: therefore we cannot hope or expect any deliverance from him, and how then shall we do in the mean while? To this the Lord himself makes answer, ver. 2, 3, 4. that his hand is not shortened, not his power lessened in regard of greater works, much less in respect of their deliverance; and though the present affliction which they endured, was great and tedious, yet they were not to be overmuch dismayed in themselves, but rather to be comforted: because God had given him the tongue of the learned, to minister a word in season to the weary and distressed, and consequently, that he had power to ease & refresh that their weariness and affliction.
Now in the ende of the second verse, is contained an answer to a secret reply, that some obstinate Iewe might make after this manner: God hath no• nowe the like power in sauing ⟨p. 3⟩and deliuering vs, as he hath had in former times: therefore we cannot hope or expect any deliuerance from him, and howe then shall we doe in the meane while? To this the Lord himselfe makes answere, ver. 2, 3, 4. that his hand is not shortned, not his power lessened in regard of greater workes, much lesse in respect of their deliuerance; and though the present affliction which they indured, was great and tedious, yet they were not to be ouermuch dismaied in themselues, but rather to be comforted: because God had giuen him the tongue of the learned, to minister a word in season to the wearie and distressed, and consequently, that he had power to ease & refresh that their wearines and affliction.
In this text then, there is set down one principal duty of Christs prophetical office, by allusion to the practises of the Prophets in the old Testament, especially those which belonged to the schools of Elijah and Elisha, who are here termed, the learned. And out of the words thereof, one special point of instruction may be gathered, namely, That there is a certain knowledge or doctrine revealed in the word of God, whereby the consciences of the weak may be rectified and pacified. I gather it thus. It was one special duty of Christs prophetical office, to give comfort to the consciences