A09365:495
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 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.
The remedie hereof is this. First, it is still to be considered, whether the partie 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 vsually such persons are meere naturall men,) then the first dutie is, to vse all meanes, to stirre vp in him some godly sorrow for his sinnes, to bring him to the exercises of inuocation, and to ⟨p. 198⟩some confidence in Gods mercy for pardon.
Secondly, this being done, means must be used to take away the opinion conceived, which will be done by giving him information of the state of his body, and what is the true and proper cause of the alteration thereof. This being known the grief or fear conceived, will easily be stayed. For take away the false opinion, and inform the judgement, and the whole man will be the better.
Secondly, this beeing done, meanes must be vsed to take away the opinion conceiued, which will be done by giuing him information of the state of his bodie, and what is the true and proper cause of the alteratiō therof. This being knowne the griefe or feare conceiued, will easily be staied. For take away the false opinion, and inform the iudgement, and the whole man will be the better.