A09365:1066
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. III. To fly in persecution, is a kind of denial of Christ, and against confession: he therefore that flies, seems to make no confession, but rather to deny Christ.
Obiect. III. To flie in persecution, is a kinde of deniall of Christ, and against confession: he therefore that flies, seemes to make no confession, but rather to denie Christ.
Ans. Christian confession is double, open, or implicit. Open confession is, when a man boldly confesseth his faith, before the Adversary, even to the death. This is the greatest and highest degree of confession; and in it the holy Martyrs in former times, continued even to the loss of their lives, undergoing the punishment of death, inflicted upon them by the Adversaries of Christ Jesus, for the maintenance of the truth. Implicit is, when a man to keep his Religion, is content to forsake his country, friends, and goods. This is a second degree, inferior to the former, and yet it is a true Confession, acceptable to ⟨p. 372⟩God. And under this kind, comes Flight in persecution. Whence it appeareth, that lawful flight in times of danger, is no denial of Christ, nor yet against Confession. For sometimes it pleaseth God, to call men to profess his name and truth openly, by suffering: sometimes again, not openly by suffering, but by flying: & this latter way, though it be not so high a degree, as is the former, yet it is indeed and in truth, in the measure, a true profession of Christ, and pleasing unto God.
Ans. Christian confession is double, open, or implicit. Open confession is, when a man boldly confesseth his faith, before the Aduersarie, euen to the death. This is the greatest and highest degree of confession; and in it the holy Martyrs in former times, continued euen to the losse of their liues, vndergoing the punishment of death, inflicted vpon them by the Aduersaries of Christ Iesus, for the maintenance of the truth. Implicit is, when a man to keepe his Religion, is content to forsake his countrey, friends, and goods. This is a second degree, inferiour to the former, and yet it is a true Confession, acceptable to