A09365:389
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.
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.
Secondly, we must consider, it falleth out oftentimes, that straunge diseases doe seaze vpon men, arising from corrupt humours in the bodie; yea men and women may haue straunge passions vpon naturall causes vnknowne; and these will sometimes haue strange and extraordinarie effects in them, which the art of Physicke neither can search out, nor cure; and yet they are neither acts of witchcraft, nor reall possessions. As when God laid extraordinarie diseases on the Corinthians, for the contempt of his Word and Sacraments, 1. Cor. 11. 30. Like vnto which, he worthily inflicts vpon men in these daies, for the same and other sinnes.
Now to stay the mind in this case, these Rules are carefully to be thought upon.
Now to stay the minde in this case, these Rules are carefully to be thought vpon.
First of all, it is to be remembered, that though Satan's malice and power, be very great and large: yet he can not practise the same, against the children of God, when, where, and how he listeth. The malice which Satan bears to mankind, and principally to the members of Christ, appears in this, because he is said, to accuse them before God, day and