A09365:361
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.
I. First, how may we in this life have and ⟨p. 141⟩nourish in our hearts, a true taste of eternal happiness, and of the joys of the world to come?
I. First, how may we in this life haue and ⟨p. 141⟩nourish in our hearts, a true tast of eternall happinesse, and of the ioyes of the world to come?
Ans. First, by a serious consideration of the evils that do hinder, or prejudice our happiness: and they are principally four.
Ans. First, by a serious consideration of the euills that doe hinder, or preiudice our happines: and they are principally foure.
One is, the Misery of our lives, in respect of sin, and the consequents thereof. For there is no man in the world, be he never so righteous, that can truly say of himself, I am clean from my sin, Prov. 20. 9. Yea, •uen the regenerate, that have received grace to believe, to turn unto God, and to live according to the Spirit, do find by experience, 1corruption & rebellion in their minds, wills, and affections, which daily affordeth matter of sinning against God: and on the other side, hindereth and quencheth, all the good motions of the Spirit, that are in them. Again, such is the irreconcilable malice of Satan, that he takes vantage of mans corruption, and neglects no time or opportunity, to intrappeth children of God, in the snares of his temptations. And hence it is that man, by reason of his own corruption, and the wicked suggestions of the Devil, is at continual strife with himself, hath daily occasion of sorrow, worketh out his salvation with fear and trembling, wading (as it were) even while he liveth, in a sea of many miseries.