A09365:849
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.
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.
Thirdly, the Sacrament, if it be administred in the name, and by the power of Christ, is the ordinance of God, beeing receiued by faith, yea a true Sacrament of Christ; and the force and efficacie thereof, doth not depend vpon the worthines of the Minister, but vpon Christ. The letters or epistle sent from one man to an other, are authenticall, and serue fully to expresse the minde of the author, though the messenger or carier be a wicked or a naughtie man. And in like manner, the sinne of any man that stands in the roome of a lawfull Minister, doth not nullifie the Sacrament, and therefore not heresie, or vnsufficiencie. S. Cyprian who liued 300. yeares after Christ, was of this opinion, that Sacraments administred by Heretikes, were no Sacraments. But the Churches of Africa in those times concluded the contrarie against him, according to the doctrine that hath beene deliuered.
The Use. I. By this doctrine they are justly to be blamed, who would have their children rebaptized, which were before baptized by Popish priests; because the Sacrament, though administered by a Papist, if he stand in the room of a true Pastor, & keep the form thereof, is a true Sacrament. II. Others by this doctrine come to be reproved, ⟨p. 306⟩that refuse to receive the Sacraments at the hands of unpreaching ministers. For though the minister be unsufficient, & preach not, yet if he be called by the Church, he hath the place of a lawful Pastor, his administration is warrantable, and the Sacrament by him administered a true Sacrament.