A09365:975
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.
III. Case. Whether such persons, as are at contention, and go to law one with an other, may with good conscience, come to the Lords table? The reason of the Question is, because men think, when they go to law, that they do not forgive.
III. Case. Whether such persons, as are at contention, and goe to law one with an other, may with good conscience, come to the Lords table? The reason of the Question is, because men thinke, when they goe to law, that they doe not forgiue.
Ans. There be three kinds of forgiveness; of revenge, of the penalty, and of judgement. Of revenge, when men are content to lay aside, all hatred and requital of evil. Of penalty, when being wronged, they are content to put the matter up, and not proceed to revenge by inflicting punishment. Of judgement, when a man is willing, to esteem and judge things badly done, as well done; and to judge a bad man, no evil person, nor an enemy, though he be an enemy.
Ans. There be three kinds of forgiuenes; of reuenge, of the penaltie, and of iudgement. Ofreuenge, when men are content to lay aside, all hatred and requitall of euill. Of penaltie, when beeing wronged, they are content to put the matter vp, and not proceede to reuenge by inflicting punishment. Of iudgement, when a man is willing, to esteeme and iudge things badly done, as well done; and to iudge a bad man, no euill person, nor an enemie, though he be an enemie.
Of these three, the first is always necessary. A man is bound in conscience, to forgive the revenge, and leave that to the Lord, to whom Vengeance properly belongeth. But to the forgiveness of penalty and judgement, we are not alway bound. We must shun and decline injuries offered, as much as possibly we can; but when they be offered, we may with good conscience, seek a remedy of them, and use any lawful means, to defend our selves.