A09365:436
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, that particular sin must be known, which is the cause of this violent distress. And here we are to know, by the way; that it is an usual thing, with the parties thus distressed, to dissemble and cloak their sins: ⟨p. 172⟩and therefore they will allege, that their trouble ariseth from some evil thoughts, from wicked affections, and from the corruption of nature: whereas commonly men are not distressed, in violent manner, for evil thoughts, affections, &c. but the violent distress cometh from so•e actual and odious sin or sins done, which wound the conscience, and are the causes of great distraction of mind: and they are many, which having bin upon occasion before rehearsed, I will not now repeat them. Only this must be remembered, that the greater sins against the third, sixth, and seventh commandments, are the main and proper causes of violent 1distresses: and the more secret the sin is, in regard of the practise thereof, the greater horror of Conscience it bringeth; and open offences do not give so deep a wound unto it, as secret and hidden sins.
First, that particular sinne must be known, which is the cause of this violent distresse. And here we are to know, by the way; that it is an vsuall thing, with the parties thus distressed, to dissemble and cloake their sinnes: ⟨p. 172⟩and therefore they will alleadge, that their trouble ariseth from some euill thoughts, from wicked affections, and from the corruption of nature: whereas commonly men are not distressed, in violent manner, for euill thoughts, affections, &c. but the violent distresse commeth from so•e actuall and odious sinne or sinnes done, which wound the conscience, and are the causes of great distraction of minde: and they are many, which hauing bin vpon occasion before rehearsed, I will not now repeat them. Onely this must be remembred, that the greater sinns against the third, sixt, and seuenth commandements, are the maine and proper causes of violent 1distresses: and the more secret the sinne is, in regard of the practise thereof, the greater horror of Conscience it bringeth; and open offences doe not giue so deepe a wound vnto it, as secret and hidden sinnes.