A09365:565
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.
V. The fifth and last argument from nature, is that which is used by all Philosophers. In the world there is to be seen an excellent wise frame and order of all things. One creature depends upon an other by a certain order of causes: in which, some are first and above in higher place, some are next and inferior, some are the basest and the lowest.
V. The fifth and last argument from nature, is that which is vsed by all Philosophers. In the world there is to be seene an excellent wise frame and order of all things. One creature depends vpon an other by a certaine order of causes: in which, some are first and aboue in higher place, some are next and inferiour, some are the basest and the lowest.
Now these lowest are moved of those that are superior to them, and always the ⟨p. 215⟩superior is the cause of the inferior, and that whereof the inferior depends. Something then there must be that is the cause of all causes, that must be caused by none, and must be the cause of all. For in things wherein there is order, there is alway some first and sovereign cause: and where there is no first nor last, there the Creatures are infinite. But seeing all creatures are finite, there must be somewhat first, as well as last. Now the first and the last cause of all is God, which moveth all, and to whom all creatures do tend, as to their end, and which is moved of none.
Now these lowest are mooued of those that are superiour to them, and alwaies the ⟨p. 215⟩superiour is the cause of the inferiour, and that whereof the inferiour depends. Something then there must be that is the cause of all causes, that must be caused by none, and must be the cause of all. For in things wherein there is order, there is alway some first and soueraigne cause: and where there is no first nor last, there the Creatures are infinite. But seeing all creatures are finite, there must be somewhat first, as well as last. Now the first and the last cause of all is God, which mooueth all, and to whome all creatures doe tend, as to their ende, and which is mooued of none.