A09365:270
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, choice must be made of the most fit and present remedy, and that must be used in the first place.
First, choise must be made of the most fitte and present remedie, and that must be vsed in the first place.
Now the most fit and present remedy is, to bring the party troubled to the personal exercises of faith and repentance, by, and in himself. For this end, he must examine his conscience most straightly and narrowly of all the sins of his heart, and life. Secondly, he must humbly confess against himself, all his known sins: and withal acknowledge the due condemnation, that he thereby hath deserved. Thirdly, he must cry to heaven for mercy, entreating the Lord most instantly for pardon, and for the restraint of his wrath due unto him for his sin. David being in this distress, performed all these duties, as we may read in the 6. Psalm: and he saith further of himself, that whilst he concealed his sins, the hand of God was heavy upon him: but 1upon his earnest confession, and deprecation, he received mercy. And if we read the book of ⟨p. 111⟩Job, we shall find that the principal scope thereof is this; namely, to show unto us, that Job was throughly exercised with this temptation, and that in the end having been rebuked both by his friends, and by God himself, his recovery was made, by humbling himself, when he saith, Behold, I am vile: again, now I abhor my self, and repent in dust 2and ashes.
Now the most fit and present remedie is, to bring the partie troubled to the personall exercises of faith and repentance, by, and in himselfe. For this ende, he must examine his conscience most straightly and narrowly of all the sinnes of his heart, and life. Secondly, he must humbly confesse against himselfe, all his knowne sinnes: and withall acknowledge the due condemnation, that he thereby hath deserued. Thirdly, he must crie to heauen for mercie, intreating the Lord most instantly for pardon, and for the restraint of his wrath due vnto him for his sinne. Dauid beeing in this distresse, performed all these duties, as we may read in the 6. Psalme: and he saith further of himselfe, that whilst he concealed his sinnes, the hand of God was heauie vpon him: but