A09365:162
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.
The third point, is touching the Questions of conscience, concerning Humiliation, all which may be reduced to four principal Cases.
The third point, is touching the Questions of conscience, concerning Humiliation, all which may be reduced to foure principall Cases.
I. Case. What if it fall out, that a man in humbling himself, cannot call to mind either all, or the most of his sins? I answer; A particular humiliation indeed is required, for main and known sins: but yet there are two cases, wherein general repentance, will be accepted of God for unknown sins. One is, when a man hath searched himself diligently, and by a serious examination, passed through all the commandments of ⟨p. 57⟩God, and yet after such examination and search made, his particular offences are yet hidden and not revealed unto him, so as he cannot call them to remembrance; then the general repentance is accepted. For this is answerable to the practise of David, who after long search, when he could not attain to the knowledge of his particular slips, then he addresseth himself to a general humiliation, saying, Who knoweth the errors of 1this life? cleanse me, Lord, from my secret faults: and upon this, he was no doubt accepted. Again, when a man humbleth himself, and yet is prevented by the time, so as he cannot search his heart and life, as he would: his general repentance will be taken and accepted of God. The truth hereof appears in the thief upon the cross, who having no time to search himself, made no special humiliation, yet upon his general confession he was accepted. Now the ground of this doctrine is this; He that truly repents of one sin, in this case when he is prevented: is, as if he repented of all.
I. Case. What if it fall out, that a man in humbling himselfe, cannot call to minde either all, or the most of his sinnes? I answer; A particular humiliation indeed is required, for maine and knowne sinnes: but yet there are two cases, wherein generall repentance, will be accepted of God for vnknowne sinnes. One is, when a man hath searched himselfe diligently, and by a serious examination, passed through all the commaundements of