A09365:248
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.
And here remember, that it is most convenient, this Application be made by the Minister of the Gospel, who in it, must use his ministerial authority given him of God, to pronounce the pardon. For in distress, it is as hard a thing, to make the conscience yield to the promise, as to make fire and water agree. For though men have signs of grace and mercy in them, yet will they not acknowledge it, by reason of the extremity of their distress. In this manner, upon any of the former grounds, may the troubled and perplexed soul be assured, that mercy belongs to it. And this I take to be, the only general and right way, of comforting a distressed conscience.
And here remember, that it is most conuenient, this Application be made by the Minister of the Gospell, who in it, must vse his ministeriall authority giuen him of God, to pronounce the pardon. For in distresse, it is as hard a thing, to make the conscience yeild to the promise, as to make fire and water agree. For though men haue signes of grace and mercie in them, yet will they not acknowledge it, by reason of the extremitie of their distresse. In this manner, vpon any of the former grounds, may the troubled and perplexed soule be assured, that mercie belongs to it. And this I take to be, the onely generall and right way, of comforting a distressed conscience.
Now that the promise thus applied, may have good success, these six rules must necessarily be observed.
Nowe that the promise thus applyed, may haue good successe, these sixerules must necessarily be obserued.
I. One is, that the comfort which is ministered, be allayed with some mixture of the Law; that is to say; the promise alone must not be applied, but withal mention is to be made, of the sins of the party, and of the grievous punishments, due unto him for the same. The reason is because there is much guile in the hart of man; in so much, as oftentimes it falleth out, that men not throughly humbled, being comforted either too soon, or