A09365:141
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.
Thus much touching the Preambles, or Grounds of this doctrine. Now it remaineth that we come to the Questions of Conscience.
THus much touching the Preambles, or Grounds of this doctrine. Now it remaineth that we come to the Questions of Conscience.
These Questions may be fitly divided, according to the matter or subject of them, which is Man. Now as Man is considered divers ways, that is to say, either a part •y himself; or as he stands in relation to an other, and is a member of a Society: so the Questions of Conscience are to be distinguished; some concerning man simply considered by himself: some again, as he stands in relation to an other.
These Questions may be fitly deuided, according to the matter or subiect of them, which is Man. Now as Man is considered diuers waies, that is to say, either a part •y himselfe; or as he stands in relation to an other, and is a member of a Societie: so the Questions of Conscience are to be distinguished; some concerning man simply considered by himselfe: some againe, as he stands in relation to an other.
Man standeth in a twofold relation: to God, or to Man. As he stands in relation to God, he bears the name of a Christian, that is, a member of Christ, or a son of God, whose duty is to know and to worship God ⟨p. 49⟩according to his will revealed in his word. As he stands in relation to man, he is a part of a body, and a member of some society. Now the Questions that concern him, as a member of a society, are of three sorts, according to three distinct kinds of societies. For every man is either a member of a Family, or of the Church, or of the Commonwealth. And answerably, some Questions concern man as a member of a family: some as he is a member of the Church: some as he is a member of the Commonwealth.