A09365:388
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, it is to be remembered, that possession is known by two signs. The one is, when the Devil is evidently present, either in the whole body, or in some part of it. The other, when he hath rule of the said body, either in whole or in part: so as the party himself, hath not that use of his body, which he would. As for example: when the Devil ⟨p. 153⟩possesseth the instruments of the voice, as the tongue, and makes a man to speak Latin, Greek, Italian, or other tongues, which he understandeth not. Both these things were found in them that were possessed, in the time of our Saviour Christ.
First, it is to be remembred, that possession is knowne by two signes. The one is, when the Deuill is euidently present, either in the whole bodie, or in some part of it. The other, when he hath rule of the said bodie, either in whole or in part: so as the partie himselfe, hath not that vse of his bodie, which he would. As for example: when the Deuill ⟨p. 153⟩possesseth the instruments of the voice, as the tongue, and makes a man to speake Latine, Greeke, Italian, or other tongues, which he vnderstandeth not. Both these things were found in them that were possessed, in the time of our Sauiour Christ.
Secondly, we must consider, it falleth out oftentimes, that strange diseases do seize upon men, arising from corrupt humours in the body; yea men and women may have strange passions upon natural causes unknown; and these will sometimes have strange and extraordinary effects in them, which the art of Physic neither can search out, nor cure; and yet they are neither acts of witchcraft, nor real possessions. As when God laid extraordinary diseases on the Corinthians, for the contempt of his Word and Sacraments, 1. Cor. 11. 30. Like unto which, he worthily inflicts upon men in these days, for the same and other sins.