A09365:799
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.
II. Though men make lawful prayers unto God, & ask things that are to be asked, and which God will grant, yet God will sometime defer the accomplishment of their prayers, and not give ear unto them at the first. David prayed night and day, and yet was not heard. Psalm. 22. 2. Again, his eyes failed, his throat was dry, while he waited for his God by prayer, Psal. 69. 3. The Angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, Luk. 1. 13. Thy prayer is heard. Now in all likelihood, that prayer of Zechariah was made long before, even in his youth, yet it was not granted him till he was old.
II. Though men make lawfull praiers vnto God, & aske things that are to be asked, and which God will grant, yet God will sometime deserre the accomplishment of their praiers, and not giue eare vnto them at the first. Dauid prayed night and day, and yet was not heard. Psalm. 22. 2. Againe, his eies failed, his throat was drie, while he waited for his God by prayer, Psal. 69. 3. The Angel Gabriel said to Zacharie, Luk. 1. 13. Thy prayer is heard. Now in all likelihood, that prayer of Zacharie was made long before, euen in his youth, yet it was not granted him till he was olde.
The Lord defers the grant of our requests upon good reason. For hereby he stirreth up the dullness of our hearts, and quickeneth our faith and hope. Again, he makes us when we enjoy the blessings desired, to have them in higher estimation, and to be more thankful unto him; yea in the want thereof, to strive the more earnestly with him by prayer for them. The woman of Canaan, was repulsed and called a dog, by our Saviour Christ, not for that he intended to reject her prayer, but to stir up her faith, to make her more earnest in asking; as also more thankful for the benefit, when she had received it.