A09365:177
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.
Ans. Though all the books of the old and new Testament, are direction sufficient for a good life; yet a more special answer may be made out of the same, plainly and briefly. That, there are three main grounds or rules of New Obedience. The first is laid down by our Saviour Christ, Luk. 9. 23. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. The meaning is this; Every one that will become a scholar in the school of Christ, and learn obedience unto God, must deny himself, that is, he must in the first place, exalt and magnify the grace of God, and become nothing in himself, renouncing ⟨p. 66⟩his own reason, will, & affections, and subjecting them to the wisdom & will of God in all things; yea esteeming all things in the earth, even those that are dearest unto him, as dross and dung in regard of the kingdom of Christ. Again, he must take up his Cross, that is, he ought always to make a forehand reckoning, even of private crosses and particular afflictions, and when they come, to bear them with cheerfulness. This done, he must follow Christ, by practising the virtues of meekness, patience, love, and obedience, and by being conformable to his death, in crucifying the body of sin in himself. The second rule is propounded by Paul, Act. 24. 14. To believe all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets; and that is, to hold and embrace the same faith, which was embraced by the Saints and servants of God in ancient times, and which was written by Moses and the Prophets. Again, in all reverence to subject himself, to the true manner of worshipping and serving God, revealed in his word; and not to depart from the same doctrine and worship, either to the right hand, or to the left. The third and last rule, is to have and to keep faith and a good conscience, 1. Tim. 1. 19. Now faith is preserved, by knowledge of the doctrine of the Law and the Gospel, by yielding assent unto the same doctrine, believing it to be true, and by a particular application of it ⟨p. 67⟩unto a mans self, specially of the promise of righteousness and life everlasting, in and by Christ. Again, that a man may keep a good conscience, he must do three things. First, in the course of his life, he must practise the duties of the general Calling in the particular;