A09365:283
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.
Thus in the work of our Redemption, Christ gives life, not by life, but by death, and he sends men to heaven by the gates and suburbs of hell: he shows his greatest power, in the greatest weakness; nay his power 1is made perfect through weakness. He will not build upon an old foundation, but he pulls down and destroys all, that Man may have no hope at all in himself, but that all the hope he hath, may be in God. First he kills, and then he makes alive, as Anna 2speaketh: first he woundeth, and then he healeth. He makes man to sow in tears, that afterward he may reap in joy. And he that knows Gods dealing to be this, must herewith rest content, and satisfied: because in wrath, God useth to remember his mercy; yea his mercy is never sweet unto the palate of the soul, until it be seasoned with ⟨p. 116⟩some taste of his wrath. The Paschal Lamb was eaten with sour herbs, to signify, that we can feel no sweetness in the blood of Christ, till we first feel the smart of our own sins, and corruptions.
Thus in the worke of our Redemption, Christ giues life, not by life, but by death, and he sendes men to heauen by the gates and suburbs of hell: he shewes his greatest power, in the greatest weaknes; nay his power 1is made perfect through weakenes. He will not build vpon an old foundation, but he pulls downe and destroies all, that Man may haue no hope at all in himselfe, but that all the hope he hath, may be in God. First he kils, and then he makes aliue, as Anna 2speaketh: first he woundeth, and then he healeth. He makes man to sowe in teares, that afterward he may reape in ioy. And he that knowes Gods dealing to be this, must herewith rest content, and satisfied: because in wrath, God vseth to remember his mercy; yea his mercie is neuer sweete vnto the palate of the soule, vntill it be seasoned with ⟨p. 116⟩some tast of his wrath. The Paschall Lambe was eaten with sowre hearbs, to signifie, that we can feele no sweetenes in the blood of Christ, till wee first feele the smart of our owne sinnes, and corruptions.