A09365:186
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.
II. Question. How a man may be in conscience assured, of his own salvation?
II. Question. How a man may be in conscience assured, of his owne saluation?
Before I come to the Question it self, this conclusion is to be laid down as a main Ground; That Election, vocation, faith, adoption, ⟨p. 74⟩justification, sanctification, & eternal glorification, are never separated in the salvation of any man, but like inseparable companions, go• hand in hand; so as he that can be assured of one of them, may infallibly conclude in his own heart, that he hath and shall have interest in all the other in his due time. This is plain by the words of S. Paul, Rom. 8. 30. Whom he predestinate, them also he called; whom he called, them also he justified; whom he justified, them also he glorified. In which place, the Apostle compares the causes of salvation, to a chain of many links, whereof every one is so coupled to the other, that he which taketh hold of the highest, must needs carry all the rest with him. Again, amongst these links Faith is one, a principal grace of God, whereby man is ingrafted into Christ, and thereby becomes one with Christ, and Christ one with him, Eph. 3. 17. Now whosoever is by faith united unto Christ, the same is elected, called, justified, and sanctified. The reason is manifest. For in a chain, the two extremes, are knit together, by the middle links; and in the order of causes of happiness and salvation, faith hath a middle place, and by it hath the child of God assured hold of his election, and effectual vocation, and consequently of his glorification in the kingdom of heaven. To this purpose saith S.