A09365:1366
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.
First, that we may put a difference between Christian and Heathen virtues. For, howbeit the same virtues in kind and name, are and may be found, both in them that profess Christ, and those also that are ignorant of the true God; yet they are in them after a divers manner. For in Heathen men they are the gifts of God, but not parts of regeneration and new birth: but in those that be true Christians, they are indeed not only the gifts of Gods spirit, but also essential parts of regeneration.
First, that we may put a differēce between Christian and Heathen vertues. For, howbeit the same vertues in kind and name, are and may be found, both in them that professe Christ, and those also that are ignorant of the true God; yet they are in them after a diuers manner. For in Heathen men they are the gifts of God, but not parts of regeneration and new birth: but in those that be true Christians, they are indeede not onely the gifts of Gods spirit, but also essentiall parts of regeneration.
That we may the better yet conceive this difference, we must understand, that the grace of God in man, is two-fold; restraining, and renewing.
That we may the better yet conceiue this difference, we must vnderstand, that the grace of God in man, is two-fold; restraining, and renewing.
Restraining is that, which bridleth and restraineth the corruption of mens hearts, from breaking forth into outward actions, for the common good, that Societies may be preserved, and one man may live orderly with another. Renewing grace is that, which doth not only restrain the corruption, but also mortifieth sin, and renews the heart daily more & more. The former of these is incident to Heathen men; & the Virtues which they have, serve only to repress the act of sin in their outward actions: but in Christians, they are graces of God, not only bridling