A09365:531
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
Book 2 › Chapter 2 › Question 1: I. Question. Whether there be a God?
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.
Before we come to answer the Question, this one caveat must be remembered, that it is a main Ground and Principle in all Religions whatsoever, not to be doubted of, or called into question, That there is a God. Heb. 11. 6. He that cometh to God, must believe that God is. As for those that are commonly termed Atheists, which deny that there is a God, they are to be punished with death, as not worthy to live in humane society; and the greatest torment that can be devised by the wit of man, is too good for them. For if those be holden as Traitors to an earthly Prince, and are most deservedly adjudged to ⟨p. 203⟩death, that revile his person, and deny his lawful authority: then they that call into question the Godhead; are much more worthy to be esteemed traitors to God, and consequently to bear the just punishment of their rebellion, death it self.
BEfore we come to answer the Question, this one caueat must be remembered, that it is a maine Ground and Principle in all Religions whatsoeuer, not to be doubted of, or called into question, That there is a God. Heb. 11. 6. He that commeth to God, must beleeue that God is. As for those that are commonly tearmed Atheists, which denie that there is a God, they are to be punished with death, as not worthie to liue in humane societie; and the greatest torment that can be deuised by the witte of man, is too good for them. For if those be holden as Traytors to an earthly Prince, and are most deseruedly adiudged to ⟨p. 203⟩death, that reuile his person, and denie his lawfull authoritie: then they that call into question the Godhead; are much more worthie to be esteemed traytors to God, and consequently to beare the iust punishment of their rebellion, death it selfe.
For this cause I do not mean to dispute the question, whether there be a God or no; and thereby minister occasion of doubting and deliberation in that which is the only main Ground and pillar of Christian religion: But rather my purpose is, in showing that there is a God, to remove, or at least to help an inward corruption of the soul that is great and dangerous, whereby the heart and conscience by nature denieth God and his providence. The wound in the body that plucks out the heart, is the most dangerous wound that can be: and that opinion that takes away the Godhead, doth in effect rend and pluck out the very heart of the soul. This Caveat premised, I come now to the point in hand, to show that there is a God.