A09365:837
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, Hardness of heart, when a man is not inwardly moved and affected with the word preached, but remains in the same state he was before. This is set forth by the hard ground, that is by the high way side, and by the stony ground, Math. 13. 4, 5. And such is the heart that is not moved nor affected either with joy, sorrow, fear, or consolation. The hardness of heart, ariseth from a custom in sinning and from that the deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3. 13.
First, Hardnes of heart, when a man is not inwardly mooued and affected with the word preached, but remaines in the same state he was before. This is set forth by the hard ground, that is by the high way side, and by the stonie ground, Math. 13. 4, 5. And such is the heart that is not mooued nor affected either with ioy, sorrow, feare, or consolation. The hardnes of heart, ariseth from a custome in sinning and from that the deceitfulnesse of sinne, Heb. 3. 13.
Secondly, worldly Cares, that is, a heart possessed with desire of profits, pleasures, honours, preferments, and such like; which be as thorns that choke the seed of the word, and suffer it not to grow and fructify: yea that fill the heart full of wandering imaginations, which steal away the mind from attending to the word preached. Those that are thus hindered from profiting, are rather to be reproved, then comforted: for that the cause of their non-proficiencie, is in, & from themselves. They are therefore to use all good means for the removal of their sins, that of hard hearted and carnal, they may become good and profitable hearers of the word. The means are these.
Secondly, worldly Cares, that is, a heart possessed with desire of profits, pleasures, honours, preferments, and such like; which be as thornes that choake the seede of the word, and suffer it not to grow and fructifie: yea that fill the heart full of wandering imaginations, which steale away the mind from attending to the word preached. Those that are thus hindred from profiting, are rather to be reprooued, then comforted: for that the cause of their non-proficiencie, is in, & from themselues. They are therefore to vse all good meanes for the remooueall of their sinnes, that of hard hearted and carnall, they may become good and profitable hearers of the word. The meanes are these.