A09365:222
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.
First of all, the party must disclose the cause of the particular distress, that the remedy may the better be applied. For the truth is, that the very opening of the cause, is a great ease to the mind, before any remedy be applied. Yet by the way, this care must be had, that the thing to be revealed, be not hurtful to the party, to whom it is made known. For the distress may happily arise of some confederacy, in matters of Treason; by the concealing whereof, the party to whom they are revealed, may entangle himself in the same danger.
First of all, the partie must disclose the cause of the particular distresse, that the remedie may the better be applied. For the truth is, that the very opening of the cause, is a great ease to the minde, before any remedie be applied. Yet by the way, this care must be had, that the thing to be reuealed, be not hurtfull to the partie, to whome it is made knowne. For the distresse may happily arise of some confederacie, in matters of Treason; by the concealing whereof, the partie to whome they are reuealed, may intangle himselfe in the same danger.
Secondly, if the cause may be known, (for sometime it is hid from the party distressed) then trial must be made, whether the said party, be fit for comfort yea or no? For if he be found to be unfit, the word of God shall be misapplied, and consequently abused. His fitness for comfort, may be found out, by searching whether he be humbled for his sins, or not: for men may be in great distress, and yet not touched at all for their sins. This humiliation stands in sorrow for ⟨p. 92⟩sin, with confession of the same unto God, and in earnest prayer for the pardon thereof, with an hearty desire of amendment of life. But if on the other side, the party be unhumbled, then the first and principal care must be, to work in him some beginning of humiliation. This may be done in a friendly, and Christian talk and conference, whereby he must first be brought to see, and well to consider his own sins: secondly, to grieve, and to be sorry for them, at the least, for some of the principal.