A09365:174
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.
Sect. 5.
The fourth and last duty, is to perform 1New obedience unto God in our life and conversation. In this new obedience, three things are required. First, it must be a fruit of the spirit 2of Christ in us: for when we do any good thing, it is Christ that doth it in us. To this purpose David prays unto God, Psal. 143. 10. Let thy good Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. And Paul exhorts the Galatians to walk in the Spirit; and then mark what follows; and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh, Gal. 5. 16. Secondly, this new obedience must be the keeping of every commandment of God: for as S. James saith, He that breaks one commandment, is guilty of all, 3that is, he that doth willingly and wittingly break any commandment, and makes not conscience of some one, maketh not conscience of any, and before God he is as guilty of all, as if he had broken all. Thirdly, in new obedience, the whole man must endeavour to keep the whole law in his mind, will, affections, and all the faculties of soul and body. As it is said of Josiah, that he turned to God, according to all the laws of Moses, with all 4his heart. This last point added to the rest is ⟨p. 65⟩the very form and life of new obedience, & from hence it follows; First, that the repentant person, must not live in the practise of any outward sin. Secondly, that there must be in him, an inward resisting and restraining of the corruption of nature, and of the heart, that he may truly obey God, by the grace of the spirit of God. The heart of Joseph was