A09365:494
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 means whereby the body 1annoys the mind is, when it occasions trouble to the mind, by strange alterations incident to the body. When a man begins to enter into a Frenzy, if the brain admit never so little alteration; presently the mind is troubled, the reason corrupted, the heart terrified, the man distracted in the whole body. Thus from the trembling of the heart, come many fearful imaginations and conceits, whereof a man knows not the cause. The same is procured by the swelling of the spleen, by the rising of the entrails, by strange cramps, convulsions, and such like.
The Second meanes whereby the bodie 1annoies the minde is, when it occasions trouble to the minde, by strange alterations incident to the body. When a man beginnes to enter into a Phrensie, if the braine admit neuer so little alteration; presently the minde is troubled, the reason corrupted, the heart terrified, the man distracted in the whole bodie. Thus from the trembling of the heart, come many fearefull imaginations and conceits, whereof a man knowes not the cause. The same is procured by the swelling of the splene, by the rising of the entrals, by strange crampes, convulsions, and such like.
- 1Strange alterations besides Melancholy.
The remedy hereof is this. First, it is still to be considered, whether the party thus troubled, hath the beginnings of true faith & repentance, or no. If he hath, it is so much the better. If he hath not, (as usually such persons are mere natural men,) then the first duty is, to use all means, to stir up in him some godly sorrow for his sins, to bring him to the exercises of invocation, and to ⟨p. 198⟩some confidence in Gods mercy for pardon.