A09365:484
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.
Examples hereof are well known, I will only touch one or two. One is called the Bestial or Beastlike Melancholy; a disease in the brain whereby a man thinks himself to be a beast of this or that kind, and carries himself accordingly. And here with ⟨p. 193⟩have all those been troubled, which have thought themselves to be *wolves, and have practised wolfish behaviour. Again, it is said of Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 30. that he was driven from men, and did eat grass as the oxen, that is, behaved himself, and fed as a beast. Now some are of opinion that his humane shape was taken from him, and that he was transformed into a beast; at least that he had the soul of a beast in stead of an humane soul for a time. But they are deceived. For there is no such transportation of souls into bodies, either of men or beasts. Others think, that Nebuchadnezzar was smitten in the brain with this disease of beastlike Melancholy, whereby he was so bereft of his right mind, that he carried himself as a beast. And this interpretation is not against the text: for in the 31. verse of that chapter it is said, that his mind came to him again: and therefore in the disease, his understanding, and the right use of his reason was lost. And the like is true in history, by divers examples, though it were not true in Nebuchadnezzar.
Examples hereof are well knowne, I will onely touch one or two. One is called the Beastiall or Beastlike Melancholie; a disease in the braine whereby a man thinkes himselfe to be a beast of this or that kind, and carries himselfe accordingly. And here with ⟨p. 193⟩haue all those beene troubled, which haue thought themselues to be *wolues, and haue practised woluish behauiour. Againe, it is said of Nebuchadnezzar, Dan. 4. 30. that he was driuen from men, and did eate grasse as the oxen, that is, behaued himselfe, and fed as a beast. Now some are of opinion that his humane shape was taken from him, and that he was transformed into a beast; at least that he had the soule of a beast in stead of an humane soule for a time. But they are deceiued. For there is no such transportation of soules into bodies, either of men or beasts. Others thinke, that Nebuchadnezzar was smitten in the braine with this disease of beastlike Melancholy, whereby he was so bereft of his right minde, that he carried himselfe as a beast. And this interpretation is not against the text: for in the 31. verse of that chapter it is said, that his minde came to him againe: and therefore in the disease, his vnderstanding, and the right vse of his reason was lost. And the like is true in historie, by diuers examples, though it were not true in Nebuchadnezzar.