A09365:1383
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.
Secondly, we must consider the rule of prudence; and that is, spiritual understanding, whereby we are enabled to know and conceive spiritually truth and falsehood, good & bad. This Saint Paul wished unto the Church of Coloss. when he saith, we cease not to pray for you, and desire, that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his will, in all wisdom & spiritual understanding, Col. 1. 9. And the same Apostle exhorting the Romans, to give up their bodies a living sacrifice, holy & acceptable ⟨p. 477⟩unto God, and not to fashion themselves like unto this world; he makes the ground of his exhortation, and consequently the rule of their obedience thereunto, the renovation of their minds or understandings, to this end, That they might prove, what is the good will of God, acceptable and perfect, and answerably do and perform the same, Rom. 12. 2. And his reason is good, because though prudence be the rule of all virtues, as the ancient Philosophers among the heathen have affirmed, yet it self must be ruled by a higher rule; which they knew not, namely, by spiritual understanding and knowledge, according to the word of God.
Secondly, we must consider the rule of prudence; and that is, spiritual vnderstanding, whereby we are inabled to know and conceiue spiritually truth and falshood, good & badde. This Saint Paul wished vnto the Church of Coloss. when he saith, we cease not to pray for you, and desire, that ye might be fulfilled with knowledge of his wil, in al wisedome & spirituall vnderstanding, Col. 1. 9. And the same Apostle exhorting the Romanes, to giue vp their bodies a liuing sacrifice, holy & acceptable ⟨p. 477⟩vnto God, and not to fashion themselues like vnto this world; he makes the ground of his exhortation, and consequently the rule of their obedience thereunto, the renouation of their mindes or vnderstandings, to this ende, That they might prooue, what is the good will of God, acceptable and perfect, and answerably doe and performe the same, Rom. 12. 2