A09364:74
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 upon this consideration, that we should be at continual defiance with them, using all holy means to get the victory over them, by the daily exercises of invocation and repentance, and by a continual practise of new obedience, unto all the laws and commandments of God, according to the measure of grace received. And so much of ⟨p. 43⟩the third Ground.
And vpon this consideration, that we should be at continuall defiance with them, vsing all holy meanes to get the victorie ouer them, by the daily exercises of inuocation and repentance, and by a continuall practise of new obedience, vnto all the lawes and commandements of God, according to the measure of grace receiued. And so much of ⟨p. 43⟩the third Ground.
The fourth and last Ground, is touching the subjection & power of Conscience. Conscience is a knowledge joined with a knowledge. For by conscience we know what we know; and by it we know that thing of our selves which God knoweth of us. The natural condition of every mans conscience is this; that it is placed in the middle between man and God, under God and above man. And this natural condition hath two parts: the one is the subjection of conscience to God and his word; the second is a power whereby the conscience is over the man to urge and bind him. Of the first, we have this rule, that God alone by his word doeth only bind conscience properly: for he is the only Lord of the conscience, which created it, and governs it. He again is the only law-giver, that hath power to save or destroy the soul, for the keeping and breaking of his Laws. Jam. 4. 12. Againe, mans conscience is known to none but to God, and it is he only that gives liberty to the conscience, in regard of his own laws. Upon this it followeth, that no mans commandment or Law can of it self, and by it own sovereign power bind conscience, but doeth it only by the authority and virtue of the written word of God, or some part thereof. Now the Power of conscience appears in Pauls rule: