A09364:348
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 first of all, if it be asked what Melancholy is? I answer, it is a kind of earthy & black blood, that is specially in the spleen, being stopped; which conveyeth it self to the heart, and the brain, and there partly by his corrupt substance, and specially by his contagious quality, annoyeth both heart and brain, being the seat & instrument of reason.
And first of all, if it be asked what Melancholie is? I answer, it is a kind of earthie & black blood, that is specially in the splene, beeing stopt; which conuaieth it selfe to the heart, and the braine, and there partly by his corrupt subsiāce, and specially by his contagious qualitie, annoyeth both heart and braine, beeing the seat & instrument of reason.
The second is, what are the effects and operations of Melancholy? Ans. They are strange, and often fearful. There is no humour, yea nothing in mans body, that hath so strange effects, as this humour hath, being once distempered. An ancient Divine calls it the Devils bait, because the Devil, by Gods just permission,1 conveys himself into this humour, and worketh strange conceits. When the evil Spirit ⟨p. 177⟩came upon Saul, it so tempted him, that he would have slain him that was next unto him: how so? surely, because God in justice withdrew his spirit of government from him, and suffered Satan, to enter into the humour of choler, or melancholy, or both, and by this means caused him to offer violence to David.
The second is, what are the effects and operations of Melancholie? Ans. They are strange, and often fearefull. There is no humour, yea nothing in mans bodie, that hath so strange effects, as this humour hath, beeing once distempered. An auncient Diuine calls it the Deuills bait, because the Deuill, by Gods iust permissiō,1 conueies himselfe into this humour, and worketh strange conceits. When the euill Spirit