A09365:377
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.
Touching Meditations, we must in the first place, consider Death in a double respect; one, as it is in it own nature, and another, as it is changed and qualified by the death of Christ Death in it own nature, is a Curse, or fore •er of condemnation, the very gates and suburbs of Hell it self: but being qualified by Christ, it is a blessing, an end of all miseries, a full freedom from all dangers, a short passage unto joy, an entrance into everlasting life, a quiet sleep, void of all annoyance, by dreams and fantasies. And the grave a resting chamber, yea a bed perfumed by the death of Christ, for the bodies of all the Elect, out of which when they awake, they shall be admitted & received into the presence of God in heaven.
Touching Meditations, we must in the first place, consider Death in a double respect; one, as it is in it owne nature, and another, as it is changed and qualified by the death of Christ Death in it owne nature, is a Curse, or fore •er of comdemnation, the very gates and suburbs of Hell it selfe: but beeing qualified by Christ, it is a blessing, an end of all miseries, a full freedome from all dangers, a short passage vnto ioy, an entrance into euerlasting life, a quiet sleepe, voide of all annoyance, by dreames and fantasies. And the graue a resting chamber, yea a bed perfumed by the death of Christ, for the bodies of all the Elect, out of which when they awake, they shall be admitted & receiued into the presence of God in heauen.
Secondly, we are to consider, that there be three degrees of eternal life. The first whereof, is in this world before we die, and it is then, when we begin to repent & believe in Christ, and to be assured in conscience that God the father is our father, Christ our redeemer, & the holy Ghost our comforter. For this is eternal life, to know God and him 1whom he hath sent Jesus Christ. The next degree ⟨p. 148⟩is in death: for death cuts off all sin, original & actual: death frees us from all worldly miseries: death prepareth the body, that it may be fit to enter into eternal happiness together with the soul, which is already in heaven. The last degree is, when body & soul reunited, go both together into eternal and everlasting glory.