A09365:819
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, when the word of God is in delivering, ⟨p. 294⟩every hearer must hear with judgment. But some will say, many preachers bewray faults and infirmities in their preaching. To this Paul answereth notwithstanding, Despise not prophecy, 1. Thess. 5. 20. Yea but what if they deliver untruths? Paul answers again, in the next verse, Try all things, and keep that which is good: and Saint John to the like purpose, 1. Joh. 4. 1. Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God.
First, when the word of God is in deliuering, ⟨p. 294⟩euery hearer must heare with iudgment. But some will say, many preachers bewray faults and infirmities in their preaching. To this Paul answereth notwithstanding, Despise not prophecie, 1. Thess. 5. 20. Yea but what if they deliuer vntruthes? Paul answeres againe, in the next verse, Try all things, and keep that which is good: and Saint Iohn to the like purpose, 1. Ioh. 4. 1. Beleeue not euery spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of God.
Her• by the way, we must remember one caveat. There be three kinds of judgement. The one is a private, whereby every private person may judge of the doctrine which is taught: For he must not hear, hand overhead, but judge of that which he heareth. Of this Saint Paul speaks to the Corinths, Judge ye what I say. 1. Cor. 10. 15. The second is, the judgement of the Prophet or minister: And this is a surer kind of judgement then the former, proceeding from a greater measure of Gods grace. The third is the judgement of the Holy Ghost in scripture; and this is sovereign and absolute. For the Holy Ghost judgeth all, and is judged of none. These three kinds of judgment are set in this order. The first depends upon the second, the second upon the third, and the third is absolute and judged of none.