A09365:441
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 second Ground. Men of years, living in the Church of God, and knowing the doctrine of salvation, shall not be condemned simply for their sins, but for lying in their sins. Upon this ground, I say, that men distressed must be grieved, not so much for committing of sin, as for lying and continuing in sins committed.
The second Ground. Men of yeares, liuing in the Church of God, and knowing the doctrine of saluation, shall not be condemned simply for their sinnes, but for lying in their sinnes. Vpon this ground, I say, that men distressed must be grieued, not so much for committing of sinne, as for lying and continuing in sinnes committed.
A third Ground. It pleaseth God many times to leave men to themselves, and to suffer them to commit some sin that woundeth conscience. It is true and cannot be denied. But we must withal remember, that sins committed, do ⟨p. 175⟩not utterly take away grace, but rather make it the more to shine and show it self. For God in mercy turneth all things, even sin it self, to the good of them that be his: and therefore sin committed, cannot either waste, or extinguish grace received, but by divine dispensation, serveth to amplify and enlarge the same; so as where sin aboundeth, there grace aboundeth much more, Rom. 5. 20. And the Lord said to Paul, being in great extremity, 2. Cor. 12. 9. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect through weakness. Hence it appeareth, that the grace of God is not utterly lost, but appeareth lively in the time of distress.
A third Ground. It pleaseth God many times to leaue men to themselues, and to suffer them to commit some sinne that woundeth conscience. It is true and cannot be denied. But we must withall remember, that sinnes committed, doe ⟨p. 175⟩