A09365:445
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.
To conclude this point, there remains yet a further question to be resolved, and that is 1this. A man after repentance, for some grievous sin, falls into it again, and is distressed more then before: It is a cause somewhat grievous. For we know, that if a man be recovered ⟨p. 177⟩of an ague, and through distemper in diet, or otherwise, makes a relapse into it again, his case is often desperate, and he hardly scapeth with his life. In the same man ner it is a dangerous case, if after repentance, men make a relapse into the same sin again. It may then be asked, how such persons may be recovered after a relapse?
To conclude this point, there remaines yet a further question to be resolued, and that is 1this. A man after repentance, for some greiuous sinne, falls into it againe, and is distressed more then before: It is a cause somewhat grieuous. For we knowe, that if a man be recouered ⟨p. 177⟩of an ague, and through distemper in diet, or otherwise, makes a relapse into it againe, his case is often desperate, and he hardly scapeth with his life. In the same mā ner it is a dangerous case, if after repentance, men make a relapse into the same sinne againe. It may then be asked, how such persons may be recouered after a relapse?
- 1The Case of Re•idination.
I answer, though we find not any one particular example in scripture, of any one person, that was restored again after a relapse: yet nevertheless there is some comfort for such persons. Upon what grounds may some say? Ans. Men that have not so much as a drop of mercy, in comparison of God, must forgive there brethren often and many times, yea as our Saviour Christ saith to Peter, till seventy times seven times, if they return and say it repents them. Now god is infinite in all his attributes. He is much in sparing: with him is plenteous redemption: and therefore he will questionless, upon true repentance, often forgive and forget, even the same sin iterated again and again.