A09365:190
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. 1.
The first place is Rom. 8. 16. And the spirit 1of God testifieth together with our spirits, that we are the sons of God. In these words are two testimonies of our adoption set down. The first is the Spirit of God dwelling in us, and testifying unto us, that we are Gods children. But some will happily demand, How Gods spirit gives witness, seeing now there are no revelations? Answ. Extraordinary revelations are ceased; and yet the holy Ghost in and by the word, revealeth some things unto men: for which cause he is called truly the Spirit of Revelation, Eph. 3. 5. Again, the holy Ghost gives testimony, by applying the promise of remission of sins, and life everlasting by Christ, particularly to the heart of man, when the same is generally propounded, in the Ministry of the word. And because many are ready presumptuously to say, they are the children of God, when they are not, and that they have the witness of Gods Spirit; when in truth they want it: ⟨p. 76⟩therefore we are to put a difference between this carnal conceit, and the true testimony of the Spirit. Now there be two things whereby they may be discerned one from the other. The first is, by the means. For the true testimony of the holy ghost, is wrought ordinarily by the preaching, reading, and meditation of the word of God; as also by prayer, and the right use of the Sacraments. But the presumptuous testimony, ariseth in the heart, and is framed in the brain, out of the use of these means; or though in the use, yet with want of the blessing of God concurring with the means. The second is, by the effects, and fruits of the Spirit. For it stirs up the heart, to prayer and invocation of the name of God, Zach. 12. 10. yea it causeth a man to cry and call earnestly unto God, in the time of distress, with a sense and feeling of his own miseries; and with deep sighs and groans, which cannot be uttered, to crae mercy and grace at his hands, as of a loving father,