A09365:13
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.
And as the benefit is great; so the want of this Doctrine, together with the true manner of applying the same, is, and hath been the cause, of many and great inconveniences. For even of those that fear God, and have received to believe, there be many, who in the time of their distresses, when they have considered the weight and desert of their sins, and withal apprehended the wrath of God, due unto them; have been brought unto hard exigents, mourning, and wailing, and 1crying out, as if God had forsaken them, until they have been relieved by the Spirit of Christ, in the meditation of the word, & promise 2of God. But those especially, who have not been instructed in the knowledge of the truth, nor acquainted with the course of Gods dealing, with his distressed children, by reason of ignorance and blindness in matters of Religion and piety, when the Lord hath let loose the cord of their Consciences, and ⟨image 4⟩set before their eyes, both the number of their sins committed, and the just anger of God purchased thereby, what have they done? surely despairing of the mercy of God, and their own salvation, they have either grown to frenzy, and madness, or else sorted unto themselves fearful ends, some by hanging, some by drowning, others by embruing their hands in their own blood. And if not in regard of grief and trouble of mind; yet for want of better resolution in particular cases, within the compass of their general or personal callings, (though otherwise, men endued with some measure of knowledge and obedience,) they have either abused, or else quite relinquished and forsaken their callings, and thereby become scandalous, and offensive unto others.
And as the benefit is great; so the want of this Doctrine, together with the true manner of applying the same, is, and hath beene the cause, of many and great inconueniences. For euen of those that feare God, and haue receiued to beleeue, there be many, who in the time of their distresses, when they haue considered the waight and desert of their sinnes, and withall apprehended the wrath of God, due vnto them; haue beene brought vnto hard exigents, mourning, and wayling, and 1crying out, as if God had forsaken them, vntill they haue beene releeued by the Spirit of Christ, in the meditation of the word, & promise