A09365:1065
The Whole Treatise of the Cases of Conscience
The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three books: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundry places, and the other two annexed. Taught and delivered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his own briefs, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelor of Divinity. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolved; another of the principal texts of Scripture which are either explained, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.The whole treatise of the cases of conscience distinguished into three bookes: the first whereof is revised and corrected in sundrie places, and the other two annexed. Taught and deliuered by M. W. Perkins in his holy-day lectures, carefully examined by his owne briefes, and now published together for the common good, by T. Pickering Bachelour of Diuinitie. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one of the heads and number of the questions propounded and resolued; another of the principall texts of Scripture vvhich are either explaned, or vindicated from corrupt interpretation.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1606Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1606
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.
Object. II. Persecution is sent of God, for the trial and good of his Church. Ans. First, evil things sent of God, may be avoided, if he show a mean or way, how they may be avoided. For example: God sendeth sickness, famine, the plague and sword; he sends also means, and remedies for the preventing, and removing of them, as physic and food, &c. And these we may lawfully use for the said purposes: and in like manner may persecution be avoided, if God offer means of escape. Secondly, there is a twofold ⟨p. 371⟩Will of God, his revealed, and his secret will. By his Revealed will, he hath appointed, that in case of present danger, when means of escape be offered, they may be used. Now because they that fly lawfully, are assured of Gods revealed will, therefore in obedience thereunto, they use the means to save themselves from danger. As for his Secret will, because it is unknown, and therefore uncertain unto us, we may not rashly presume thereof, and against his express will, refuse the means offered, but use them rather, till God reveal the contrary.
Obiect. II. Persecution is sent of God, for the triall and good of his Church. Ans. First, euill things sent of God, may be auoided, if he shewe a meane or way, how they may be auoided. For example: God sendeth sicknes, famine, the plague and sword; he sends also meanes, and remedies for the preuenting, and remoouing of them, as physicke and foode, &c. And these we may lawfully vse for the said purposes: and in like manner may persecution be auoided, if God offer meanes of escape. Secondly, there is a twofold ⟨p. 371⟩Will of God, his reuealed, and his secret will. By his Reuealed will, he hath appointed, that in case of present daunger, when meanes of escape be offered, they may be vsed. Now because they that flie lawfully, are assured of Gods reuealed will, therefore in obedience thereunto, they vse the meanes to saue themselues from danger. As for his Secret will, because it is vnknowne, and therefore vncertaine vnto vs, we may not rashly presume thereof, and against his expresse will, refuse the meanes offered, but vse them rather, till God reueale the contrarie.