A09365:452
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.
And the Grounds of comfort, whereby the heart may be sta•ed in this sorrow, that it be not immoderate, may be these.
I. Ground. It is Gods will, that the work of sanctification, or regeneration, should be imperfect in this life, and remain unfinished till death. This point needs no proof, it is manifest both in the word of God, and in daily experience. The reasons for which God will have it to be so, may be these.
I. Ground. It is Gods will, that the worke of sanctification, or regeneration, should be imperfect in this life, and remaine vnfinished til death. This point needs no proofe, it is manifest both in the word of God, and in daily experience. The reasons for which God will haue it to be so, may be these.
First of all, God gives grace, according to the measure, and manner of our receiving of it, which in this life is imperfect. Some gifts of God in Christ, bestowed on his servants, as remission of sins by his death, and justification by his obedience, are not put into us, but are only applied and made ours by imputation. Some other gifts there be, which are infused and put into us, as namely, sanctification, regeneration, the love of God and man: and by one of these two means, to wit, either by imputation or infusion, are all the gifts of God in Christ made ours. Yet before we can have them, we must receive them: and the means whereby we receive them is faith, which God hath ordained, to be the hand of our souls, to receive his benefits bestowed on us. Which faith because it is weak and imperfect, in this life, therefore the gifts which we receive thereby, are ⟨p. 180⟩also imperfect. For though Gods benefits be like a bottomless sea, yet the faith, whereby we lay hold of them, is like unto a vessel with a narrow neck, which though it be cast into the great Ocean, receives but a little water at once, and that by degrees, drop by drop, according to the wideness of the mouth. And hence it is, that though the gifts of God without us, which are ours by imputation, be perfect; yet all such graces as are put into us, are weak and imperfect.