A09365:848
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.
Secondly, this point is plain by examples. The Levitical priests under the Law, were Heretics, and taught after a sort the breach of the moral law. Yea they held justification by works, Rom. 10. 3. and yet Circumcision by them administered, was in force; neither was the passover, celebrated by them, or the sacrifices which they offered, any other then the true Passover and true sacrifices. Judas was a very hypocrite, yea Christ calls him a ⟨p. 305⟩Devil, Joh. 6. 70. and yet he preached the word at Christs commandment, and baptized with the rest of his Disciples, Joh. 4. 1, 2.
Secondly, this point is plaine by examples. The Leviticall priests vnder the Lawe, were Heretickes, and taught after a sort the breach of the morall law. Yea they held iustification by workes, Rom. 10. 3. and yet Circumcision by them administred, was in force; neither was the passeouer, celebrated by them, or the sacrifices which they offered, any other then the true Passeouer and true sacrifices. Iudas was a very hypocrite, yea Christ calls him a ⟨p. 305⟩Deuill, Ioh. 6. 70. and yet he preached the word at Christs commandement, and baptized with the rest of his Disciples, Ioh. 4. 1, 2.
Thirdly, the Sacrament, if it be administered in the name, and by the power of Christ, is the ordinance of God, being received by faith, yea a true Sacrament of Christ; and the force and efficacy thereof, doth not depend upon the worthiness of the Minister, but upon Christ. The letters or epistle sent from one man to an other, are authentical, and serve fully to express the mind of the author, though the messenger or carrier be a wicked or a naughty man. And in like manner, the sin of any man that stands in the room of a lawful Minister, doth not nullify the Sacrament, and therefore not heresy, or unsufficiencie. S. Cyprian who lived 300. years after Christ, was of this opinion, that Sacraments administered by Heretics, were no Sacraments. But the Churches of Africa in those times concluded the contrary against him, according to the doctrine that hath been delivered.