A09365:438
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.
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.
First, the party is to be informed of a possibility of pardon, that is, that his sins are pardonable, and though in themselves they be great, and heinous, yet by the mercy of God in Christ, they may be remitted. Now put the case, that the afflicted apprehendeth only the odiousness of his sins, and the wrath of God due to the same, and in this fit puts off the pardon from himself, and cannot be persuaded that his sin may be forgiven, what then is to be done? Ans. Then for the effecting of this first degree, certain Grounds are to be laid down, whereupon assurance in that case may be built up in his heart.
First, the partie is to be informed of a possibilitie of pardon, that is, that his sinnes are pardonable, and though in themselues they be great, and hainous, yet by the mercie of God in Christ, they may be remitted. Now put the case, that the afflicted apprehendeth onely the odiousnesse of his sinnes, and the wrath of God due to the same, and in this fitte puts off the pardon from himselfe, and cannot be perswaded that his sinne may be forgiuen, what then is to be done? Ans. Then for the effecting of this first degree, certaine Grounds are to be laid downe, whereupon assurance in that case may be built vp in his heart.