A09365:636
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.
I answer. First, we must put a difference between cause and cause. For of causes, some be the highest, some subordinate unto them. The highest and first cause, of all creatures, is God himself, from whom all things at the first immediately flowed, without any relation to their causes in nature. And thus were the first, second, and third days created and appointed immediately from God, and distinguished from the night, by an intercourse of light, ordained by him for that purpose.
I answere. First, we must put a difference betweene cause and cause. For of causes, some be the highest, some subordinate vnto them. The highest and first cause, of all creatures, is God himselfe, from whom all things at the first immediately flowed, without any relation to their causes in nature. And thus were the first, second, and third daies created and appointed immediately from God, and distinguished from the night, by an intercourse of light, ordained by him for that purpose.
But the subordinate and inferior cause of ⟨p. 235⟩the day, in order of nature, was the sun, and that by the same appointment of God: and this cause was not set in nature, as the cause of the day, before the fourth day of creation; for then it pleased him to make it his instrument, to distinguish the day from the night, as also for other ends and uses. And therefore it is no marvel, though the day was created before the sun, the instrumental cause thereof: considering that it was created before the sun was set in the heaven, by the Creator himself.
But the subordinate and inferior cause of ⟨p. 235⟩the day, in order of nature, was the sunne, and that by the same appointment of God: and this cause was not set in nature, as the cause of the day, before the fourth day of creation; for then it pleased him to make it his instrument, to distinguish the day from the night, as also for other ends and vses. And therfore it is no marueile, though the day was created before the sunne, the instrumentall cause thereof: considering that it was created before the sunne was set in the heauen, by the Creatour himselfe.