A09365:357
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, use all means for the cutting off of the lock of our sins, whereby alone Satan hath the vantage of us; and these means are the duties of humiliation, invocation, and true repentance. We must therefore humble our selves before God, be instant in ⟨p. 140⟩prayer, for the pardon of our sins past, and present, and in this point give the Lord no rest, until we have obtained in our consciences, the sweet certificate of his favour and mercy in Christ, whereby our minds may be stayed and comforted.
First, vse all meanes for the cutting off of the locke of our sinnes, whereby alone Satan hath the vantage of vs; and these means are the duties of humiliation, inuocation, and true repentance. We must therefore humble our selues before God, be instant in ⟨p. 140⟩praier, for the pardon of our sinnes past, and present, and in this point giue the Lord no rest, vntill we haue obtained in our consciences, the sweet certificate of his fauour and mercie in Christ, whereby our mindes may be staied and comforted.
This done, it stands us in hand to turn unto God, to be careful to leave sin, to entertain in our hearts, a resolved purpose and intention of new obedience, and conformity to the will, and commandment of God in all things. And this is the only way in the world, to bereave this our enemy of his armour, to pull the sting out of the mouth of this serpent, and consequently, even in death to prevail against him.
This done, it stands vs in hand to turne vnto God, to be carefull to leaue sinne, to entertaine in our hearts, a resolued purpose and intention of new obedience, and conformitie to the will, and commandement of God in all things. And this is the onely way in the world, to bereaue this our enemie of his armour, to pull the sting out of the mouth of this serpent, and consequently, euen in death to prèuaile against him.