A09365:1805
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, the doctrines of men are to be judged by us. Try the Spirits, whether they are of God, or no, 1. Joh. 4. 1. The spiritual man judgeth all things, that is, all doctrines. 1. Cor. 2. 15. And our Saviour saith, You shall know them by their fruits; that is, partly by their doctrine, & partly by their lives, being judged according to the rule of Gods word. Mat. 7. 20.
Secondly, the doctrines of men are to be iudged by vs. Try the Spirits, whether they are of God, or no, 1. Ioh. 4. 1. The spirituall man iudgeth all things, that is, all doctrines. 1. Cor. 2. 15. And our Sauiour saith, You shall know them by their fruits; that is, partly by their doctrine, & partly by their liues, being iudged according to the rule of Gods word. Mat. 7. 20.
Thirdly, we may judge of the persons of men. Now men are of two sorts: either in the Church, or out of the Church. The members of the Church, must be judged by the judgement of charity, not of infallibility. They that are out of the Church, we must suspend our judgements concerning them, and leave it to God. For, what have I do (saith the Apostle) to judge those that are without? 1. Cor. 5. 12. We may try and examine the person, but we must reserve the judgement of condemnation to God alone.
Thirdly, we may iudge of the persons of men. Now men are of two sorts: either in the Church, or out of the Church. The members of the Church, must be iudged by the iudgement of charitie, not of infallibility. They that are out of the Church, we must suspend our iudgements concerning them, and leaue it to God. For, what haue I doe (saith the Apostle) to iudge those that are without?