A09365:551
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.
Fourthly, take an example of the bird and the egg. The bird brings forth the egg: the egg again brings forth the bird. This egg considered in it self, hath in it neither life nor soul, and the bird can give it neither; for all that the bird can do is to give it heat, and no more. Within the shell of this egg is made a goodly creature, which, when it comes to some perfection, it breaks the shell. In the shell broken, we shall see the nib, the wing, the leg, and all the parts and members of a bird. Now let this be considered, that the egg brought not forth this goodly creature, nor yet the hen. For the egg had no such power or virtue in it self; and the hen gave but her heat; neither did man do it: for that which was done, was within the egg, and within the shell. It therefore was some other wonderful power and wisdom that made it, and brought it forth, that surpasseth the power of a creature.
Fourthly, take an example of the bird and the egge. The bird brings forth the egge: the egge againe brings forth the bird. This egge considered in it selfe, hath in it neither life nor soule, and the bird can giue it neither; for all that the bird can doe is to giue it heat, and no more. Within the shell of this egge is made a goodly creature, which, whē it comes to some perfection, it breakes the shell. In the shell broken, we shall see the nibbe, the wing, the legge, and all the parts and members of a bird. Now let this be considered, that the egge brought not forth this goodly creature, nor yet the henne. For the egge had no such power or vertue in it selfe; and the hen gaue but her heat; neither did man doe it: for that which was done, was within the egge, and within the shell. It therfore was some other wonderfull power and wisedome that made it, and brought it forth, that surpasseth the power of a creature.
Again, consider the generation of the silkworm, ⟨p. 210⟩one of the least of the creatures, and from it we have a notable demonstration of a divine providence. This little worm at the first, is but a small seed like unto linseed. The same small seed breeds it and brings it forth. The worm brought forth, and growing to some bigness, at length weaves the silk; having woven the silk, it winds it self within it, as it were in a shell: there having lodged for a time, it conceives a creature of another form, which being within a short space perfected, breaks the shell and comes forth a fly. The same fly, like a dutiful creature, brings forth the seed again, and so continues the kind thereof from year to year.