A09365:685
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. Rule. When we are to pray, or to worship God, we must not conceive him, in the form of any earthly or heavenly, bodily, or spiritual creature whatsoever: for thus not to conceive him, is a degree of conceiving him aright.
I. Rule. When we are to pray, or to worship God, we must not conceiue him, in the forme of any earthly or heauenly, bodily, or spirituall creature whatsoeuer: for thus not to conceiue him, is a degree of conceiuing him aright.
II. Rule. God must be conceived of us, not by his nature, but by his attributes, & works. By his attributes, as that he is infinite in mercy, justice, goodness, power, &c. By his works of creation, and government of the world, of redemption, &c. Thus the Lord revealed himself to Moses, Exod. 6. 14. I AM hath ⟨p. 254⟩sent me unto you: that is, one which hath his being in himself, and of himself, that gives being to all creatures by creation, and continues the same by his providence: one that gives a being and accomplishment, to all his merciful promises. When the Lord appeared to Moses, he showed not his face unto him, but passed by him with a voice, The 1Lord, the Lord, strong, merciful, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in goodness and truth. In which place, the Lord proclaims his name, by his attributes. So in the prophecy of Jeremiah, I am he that shows mercy, judgement, 2and justice in the land. The same, Daniel confesseth in his prayer, when he saith, O Lord God, which art great and fearful, keeping 3covenant and mercy toward them that love thee, & keep thy commandments. And lastly, the author to the Hebrews, He that comes to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder