A09365:627
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.
First, of holy Martyrs, in the Old and New testament, who have given their lives for the maintenance of this word, and sealed the same with their own hearts blood; yea suffered the most horrible and exquisite torments, that the wit of man could devise, and that most patiently and willingly, not being daunted or dismayed. The stories of Martyrs in all ages, confirm this truth, especially of those that suffered before, in, and after the times of the ten bloody persecutions. ⟨p. 232⟩And. unless they had been supported by a d••ine power, in so good a cause, they could never, so many of them, have suffered in such manner, as they did.
First, of holy Martyrs, in the Olde and New testament, who haue giuen their liues for the maintenance of this word, and sealed the same with their owne hearts blood; yea suffered the most horrible and exquisite torments, that the wit of man could deuise, and that most patiently and willingly, not beeing daunted or dismaied. The stories of Martyrs in all ages, confirme this truth, especially of those that suffered before, in, and after the times of the tenne bloodie persecutions. ⟨p. 232⟩And. vnlesse they had beene supported by a d••ine power, in so good a cause, they could neuer, so many of them, haue suffered in such manner, as they did.
The second, is the testimony and consent of Heathen men, who have recorded the very same things, at l•ast many of the principal, that are set down in the Bible. If this were not so, man should have some colourable excuse of his unbelief. And these things which they record, were not all taken out of the Scripture, but were registered to memory by Historiographers, that lived in the times, when they were done. Such are the stories of the Creation, and Flood, of the tower of Babel, of the Ark, of Abraham and his possessions, of Circumcision, of the miracles of Moses, of the birth of Christ, and the slaughter of the young children, of the miracles of Christ, of the death of Herod, Agrippa, and such like. And these we take for true in humane stories: much more then ought we to do it in the word of God.