A09365:229
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.
It is objected, that God would have all men to be saved. Ans. The Apostle is the best expounder of himself, and he saith in the 1Acts to the same effect, The time of this ignorance God regarded not, but NOW he admonisheth all men every where to repent. In which 2words, Paul adds this circumstance of time [now] to limit this good will of God, to the last age of the world, after the coming of Christ in the flesh, and not to enlarge the same to all the posterity of Adam. And so must he be understood in the place to Timothy, God would have all men to be saved, that is, now in this last age of the world. And thus ⟨p. 95⟩the same Apostle, 2. Cor. 6. expounds a certain prophecy of Isay, concerning the acceptable time of grace. Now, saith he, is the acceptable time: behold, [Now] is the day of salvation, 3meaning the time of the new Testament. And Coloss. 1. 26. The mystery hid from the beginning, is now made manifest to the Saints. And, Rom. 16. 26. The revelation of the secret mystery is now opened. All which, and many other places about the same matter, having this circumstance of time [Now,] must needs be limited to this last age of the world. As for the note of universality, All, it must not be understood of all particulars, but of all kinds, sorts, conditions, and states of men, as may be gathered out of the former words: I would that prayers be made for all men, not for every particular man: (for there be some that sin unto death, for whom 4we may not pray,) but for all states of men, as well Princes as subjects, poor as rich, base as noble, unlearned as learned, &c.
It is obiected, that God would haue all men to be saued. Ans. The Apostle is the best expounder of himselfe, and he saith in the