A09365:238
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.
I answer, Desires be of two sorts; Some be of such things, as men by the mere light of nature know to be good: for example; the desire of wisdom, of civill virtue, of honour, of happiness, and such like: and all these nature can desire. Others be above nature, as the desire of remission of sins, reconciliation, and sanctification: and they which seriously desire these, have a promise of blessedness & life everlasting. And hence it follows, that desire of mercy, in the want of mercy, is mercy it self; and desire of grace, in the want of grace, is grace it self.
I answer, Desires be of two sorts; Some be of such things, as men by the meere light of nature know to be good: for example; the desire of wisdome, of ciuill vertue, of honour, of happinesse, and such like: and all these nature can desire. Others be aboue nature, as the desire of remission of sinnes, reconciliation, and sanctification: and they which seriously desire these, haue a promise of blessednes & life euerlasting. And hence it followes, that desire of mercie, in the want of mercie, is mercie it selfe; and desire of grace, in the want of grace, is grace it selfe.
A second Ground is this. A godly sorrow ⟨p. 99⟩whereby a man is grieved for his sins, because they are sins, is the beginning of repentance, & indeed for substance is repentance it self. The Apostle Paul rejoiced that he had in the work of his Ministry, wrought this godly sorrow in the hearts of the Corinthians, calling 1it sorrow that causeth repentance not to be repented of. This sorrow may be discerned in this sort: The heart of him in whom it is, is so affected, that though there were no conscience, nor devil to accuse, no hell for condemnation; yet it would be grieved in it self, because God by sin is displeased, and offended.
A second Ground is this. A godly sorrow ⟨p. 99⟩