A09364:65
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.
This Ground must be holden against the Church of Rome: who in her Case-divinity, useth to pacify the conscience, by teaching men, that sundry of their sins be venial. And though every sin of it self be mortal, yet all are not equally mortal: but some more, some less: because in sin there be sundry degrees, as hath ⟨p. 34⟩been in part showed.
This Ground must be holden against the Church of Rome: who in her Case-diuinitie, vseth to pacifie the conscience, by teaching men, that sundrie of their sins be veniall. And though euery sinne of it selfe be mortall, yet all are not equally mortall: but some more, some lesse: because in sinne there be sundrie degrees, as hath ⟨p. 34⟩beene in part shewed.
Again, the same sin may be increased, or lessened, and consequently made more or less heinous, sundry ways. First, by the Circumstances, which are principally seven. The first is, the subject or person sinning. Thus the sin of a public person, is more beinous, yea more mortal, then the sin of a private man: because he is in eminent place, and his actions are more exemplary and scandalous, then are the actions of inferior men. The servant, that knows his masters will, if he doth it not, is the greater sinner, and shall endure a greater punishment, then he that neglects the same upon simple ignorance. Matth. 10. 15. The Minister and dispenser of the word, if he be unfaithful and unprofitable, his offence, and consequently his punishment, is far greater then other mens. Matth. 5. 13. The second is, the object or party which is offended: thus the Jews did more heinously sin in crucifying Christ the son of God, the Lord of glory, then did their fathers which persecuted and killed the Prophets. The injury that is done unto those whom God tenderly loveth, is far more displeasing unto him, than if it were done to others. He that toucheth you (says the Prophet, meaning the Jews his chosen & beloved people) toucheth the apple of his eye. Zach. 28. The man that deviseth mischief against his