A09365:286
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.
This Rule is grounded upon the speech of the Lord by the Prophet, the just man shall live 1by his faith. When we have neither sight, nor sense, nor any taste of Gods mercy, but only apprehend his wrath, even then we must labour to lay hold of mercy in his word, and promise. Sense & feeling, are not always fit directions for the time of this life: For he may be the dear child of God, that in present feeleth nothing but his wrath and indignation. This indeed is the true trial of our faith, when even above and against reason, we rely on the mercy of God, in the apprehension of his anger. So did David. Out of the deep, (saith he) that is, being now ⟨p. 117⟩deeply plunged into the pangs of a distressed conscience, have I called upon thee, O Lord: 2and Job in the like case. Lord, though thou kill me, yet will I trust in thee. Abraham is commended by the holy Ghost, amongst other things, for this, that he believed in God, above hope: that is, against all matter of hope, that might possibly be conceived, upon the consideration of the strength of natural causes. The thief upon the cross, feeling nothing but woe: and seeing nothing in Christ but misery and contempt, yet he believed in Christ, and was saved. In a word, Christ 3himself when he was forsaken of all men, and void of all worldly comfort, and felt nothing but the depth of the wrath God, in his agony and passion; yet by the faith of his manhood, he stayed himself and said, My God, my God.
This Rule is grounded vpon the speech of the Lord by the Prophet, the iust mā shall liue 1by his faith. When we haue neither sight, nor sense, nor any tast of Gods mercie, but onely apprehend his wrath, euen then we must labour to lay hold of mercie in his word, and promise. Sense & feeling, are not alwaies fit directiōs for the time of this life: For he may be the deare child of God, that in present feeleth nothing but his wrath and indignation. This indeede is the true triail of our faith, when euen aboue and against reason, we relie on the mercie of God, in the apprehension of his anger. So did Dauid. Out of the deepe, (saith he) that is, beeing nowe