A09365:127
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.
Now from this doctrine of the increasing and lessening of Sin in these respects, we may gather, that all sins are not alike or equal, as the Stoics of ancient times, and their followers have falsely imagined. For it hath bin proved at large, by induction of sundry ⟨p. 40⟩particulars, that there are degrees of sins, some lesser, some greater: some more offensive and odious to God & man, some less. And •hat the circumstances of time, place, person, and manner of doing, do serve to enlarge or extenuate the sin committed.
Now from this doctrine of the increasing and lessening of Sin in these respects, we may gather, that all sins are not alike or equall, as the Stoicks of auncient times, and their followers haue falsely imagined. For it hath bin prooued at large, by induction of sundrie ⟨p. 40⟩particulars, that there are degrees of sinnes, some lesser, som greater: some more offensiue and odious to God & man, some lesse. And •hat the circumstances of time, place, person, and manner of doing, doe serue to enlarge or extenuate the sinne commited.
If it be here alleged, that Sin is nothing but the doing of that, which is unlawful to be done, and that this is equal in all men that sin: and therefore by consequent, offences are equal. I answer, that in every sin, men must not consider the unlawfulness thereof only, but the reason why it should be unlawful: and that is properly, because it is a breach of Gods law, and repugnant to his will revealed in his word. Now there is no breach of a divine Law, but it is more or less repugnant unto the will of the Lawgiver, God himself. And many transgressions, are more repugnant thereunto then fewer: for the more sin is increased, the more is the wrath of God inflamed against the sinner upon his due desert.
If it be here alleadged, that Sin is nothing but the doing of that, which is vnlawfull to be done, and that this is equall in all men that sinne: and therfore by consequent, offences are equall. I answer, that in euery sin, mē must not consider the vnlawfulnes thereof onely, but the reason why it should be vnlawfull: and that is properly, because it is a breach of Gods law, and repugnant to his will reuealed in his word. Nowe there is no breach of a diuine Law, but it is more or lesse repugnant vnto the will of the Lawgiuer, God himselfe. And many transgressions, are more repugnāt thereunto then fewer: for the more sin is increased, the more is the wrath of God inlamed against the sinner vpon his due desert.