A09365:475
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, though all the actions of man come from the soul, yet the most of them ⟨p. 189⟩are such, as be performed by the body, and the parts thereof, and by the spirits that are seated in the body, as by instruments. Indeed some actions of the soul and mind, are done without the help of the body; but I say, that the most of them, are wrought by the body, and spirits therein contained. And yet notwithstanding the Spirits in them selves, are no agents at all: but the only agent in any work, is the soul it self. For example: the using of the outward senses, as of sight, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling, as also of the inward, as imagination, memory, &c. all this is done by the brain, and the parts of the brain, as proper instruments. All affections both good and bad, come from the soul, but yet they are done and acted in, and by means of the heart and vital spirits. So also the powers of life and nourishment proceed from the soul; and yet they are done and wrought by the liver, and other inward parts, as instruments whereby the soul nourisheth the body. In a word, there is no natural action in man, but for the effecting thereof, the parts of the body are used as it were the hands and instruments of the soul; and all this comes by reason of the union of the body with the soul, whereby they make one person.
Secondly, though all the actions of man come from the soule, yet the most of them ⟨p. 189⟩are such, as be performed by the bodie, and the parts thereof, and by the spirits that are seated in the bodie, as by instruments. Indeede some actions of the soule and minde, are done without the helpe of the bodie; but I say, that the most of them, are wrought by the bodie, and spirits therein contained. And yet notwithstanding the Spirits in thē selues, are no agents at all: but the onely agent in any worke, is the soule it selfe. For example: the vsing of the outward senses, as of sight, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling, as also of the inward, as imagination, memorie, &c. all this is done by the braine, and the parts of the braine, as proper instruments. All affections both good and bad, come from the soule, but yet they are done and acted in, and by meanes of the heart and vitall spirits. So also the powers of life and nourishment proceede from the soule; and yet they are done and wrought by the liuer, and other inward parts, as instruments whereby the soule nourisheth the bodie. In a word, there is no naturall action in man, but for the effecting thereof, the parts of the bodie are vsed as it were the hands and instruments of the soule; and all this comes by reason of the vnion of the bodie with the soule, whereby they make one person.