A09365:300
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, because God decreeth, and foreappointeth every particular cross. Mark the words of Paul, Whom God hath foreknown, them he 1hath predestinate, to be made like unto the image of his s••ne; and what is this image? nothing else, but a conformity unto Christ in afflictions for this life, and in glory for the life to come. Now if God hath decreed, that those whom he foreknew, should be conformable unto his Son in these respects, then hath he also decreed the afflictions themselves.
First, because God decreeth, and foreappointeth euery particular crosse. Marke the words of Paul, Whome God hath foreknowne, them he 1hath predestinate, to be made like vnto the image of his s••ne; and what is this image? nothing else, but a conformitie vnto Christ in afflictions for this life, and in glorie for the life to come. Now if God hath decreed, that those whome he foreknew, should be conformable vnto his Sonne in these respects, then hath he also decreed the afflictions themselues.
Secondly, God doth not only barely permit afflictions to be, but also he effecteth them, and brings them into execution, as they are crosses, corrections, trials, and punishments. ⟨p. 121⟩I make peace (saith the Lord) and I 1create evil, that is, not the evil of sin, but of punishment, which is evil in our sense and feeling. For things are termed evil two ways: some are evil indeed, some are evil not indeed, but in regard of our sense, apprehension, and estimation; and of this latter sort are afflictions, which God is said to create. And to this purpose is the saying of the Prophet Amos, Shall there be evil in the city,