A09365:235
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.
For the first Recourse must not be bad to ⟨p. 97⟩all graces, or to all degrees and measures of grace; but only such, as a troubled Conscience may feel and reach unto. For those that be the true children of God, and have excellent measure of grace; when they are in distress, feel little or no grace at all in themselves. The graces then, that serve for this purpose, are three: Faith, Repentance, and the true Love of God, which is the fruit of them both. And that we may the more easily and truly discern of them, and not be deceived, inquiry must be made, what be the Seeds and beginnings of them all.
For the first Recourse must not be bad to ⟨p. 97⟩all graces, or to all degrees and measures of grace; but onely such, as a troubled Conscience may feele and reach vnto. For those that be the true children of God, and haue excellent measure of grace; when they are in distresse, feele little or no grace at all in themselues. The graces then, that serue for this purpose, are three: Faith, Repentance, and the true Loue of God, which is the fruit of them both. And that we may the more easily and truly discerne of them, and not be deceiued, inquirie must be made, what be the Seedes and beginnings of them all.
The first Ground of grace is this: A desire to repent, and believe, in a touched heart and conscience, is faith and repentance it self, though not in nature, yet in Gods acceptation. I prove it thus. It is a principle granted and confessed of all men; that in them which have grace, God accepteth the will for the deed. If there be a willing mind (saith the Apostle) it is accepted not according to that a man hath 1not, but according to that he hath. Again, God hath annexed a promise of blessedness, and life everlasting to the true and unfeigned desire of grace. Whence it is, that they are in Scripture pronounced blessed, which hunger and thirst after righteousness. And who are they