A09365:437
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, the particular sin being known, Inquiry must be made, as much as possibly may be, by signs, whether the party distressed repenteth, yea or no. For except he hath repented, he cannot be fitted to receive comfort: & unless he be first fitted to receive con fort, he cannot be relieved in Conscience. Now if it be found, that the party hath repented, then care must be had in the next place, that his repentance may be renewed, for the particular sin committed.
Secōdly, the particular sinne being known, Inquirie must be made, as much as possibly may be, by signes, whether the partie distressed repenteth, yea or no. For except he hath repented, he cannot be fitted to receiue comfort: & vnlesse he be first fitted to receiue cō fort, he cannot be releeued in Conscience. Now if it be found, that the partie hath repented, then care must be had in the next place, that his repentance may be renued, for the particular sinne committed.
Thirdly, having thus done, the comfort ⟨p. 173⟩must be ministered, for the moderating, or taking away of the distress. And here remember by the way, that the comforts ministered, usually and ordinarily, must not go alone, but be mingled and tempered, with some terrors of the Law: that being thereby feared, with the consideration of sin, and of the wrath of God due unto the same, the comfort may appear to be the sweeter. The ministering whereof, in case of this distress, would not be direct and present, but by certain steppes and degrees: except only in the point of death: for then a directer course must be used. These degrees are two.
Thirdly, hauing thus done, the comfort ⟨p. 173⟩must be ministred, for the moderating, or taking away of the distresse. And here remember by the way, that the comforts ministred, vsually and ordinarily, must not goe alone, but be mingled and tempered, with some terrors of the Law: that beeing thereby feared, with the consideration of sinne, and of the wrath of God due vnto the same, the comfort may appeare to be the sweeter. The ministring whereof, in case of this distresse, would not be direct and present, but by certaine steppes and degrees: except onely in the point of death: for then a directer course must be vsed. These degrees are two.