A09365:395
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.
The consideration of this first point, that Satan's power is determined by God, will serve to stay the minds of those, whose persons, houses, or friends are molested by him. For hereupon it followeth, that God, who hath the Devil bound up (as it were) in chains, will not suffer his power to be enlarged, against his own children, to their destruction and confusion: but so far forth alone, as shall be expedient for their good and salvation. Again, that God being their father in Christ Jesus, they may in the time of such affliction, have access unto him, & call upon him, for the restraint of Satan's power and malice, and consequently, for the deliverance of them and theirs.
The consideration of this first point, that Satans power is determined by God, will serue to stay the minds of those, whose persons, houses, or friends are molested by him. For hereupon it followeth, that God, who hath the Deuill bound vp (as it were) in chaines, will not suffer his power to be inlarged, against his owne children, to their destruction and confusion: but so farre forth alone, as shall be expedient for their good and saluation. Againe, that God beeing their father in Christ Iesus, they may in the time of such affliction, haue accesse vnto him, & call vpon him, for the restraint of Satans power and malice, and consequently, for the deliuerance of them and theirs.
A second Rule is this. Such persons must have recourse to God in his word, in which he promiseth his presence and protection, to his children, in their greatest dangers. And namely, that there shall no evil come unto them, neither any plague shall come near their dwelling: 1because he will give his Angels charge over them, to keep them in all their ways. Again, that he will be a wall of fire, round about his people. Zach. 2. 5. that he will extend peace over his Church, like a flood, Isa. 66. 12. And that there shall be no sorcery against Jacob, nor soothsaying in