TO THE READER.

TO THE READER.

I Gladly call to mind the time, when being young, I heard, worthy Master PERKINS, so Preach in a great Assembly of Students, that he instructed them soundly in the Truth, stirred them up effectually to seek after Godliness, made them fit for the kingdom of God; and by his own example showed them, what things they should chiefly intend, that they might promote true Religion, in the power of it, unto Gods glory, and others salvation:

I Gladly call to minde the time, when being yong, I heard, worthy Master PERKINS, so Preach in a great Assembly of Students, that he instructed them soundly in the Truth, stirred them up effectually to seeke after Godlinesse, made them fit for the kingdome of God; and by his owne example shewed them, what things they should chiefely intend, that they might promote true Religion, in the power of it, unto Gods glory, and others salvation:

And amongst other things which he Preached profitably, he began at length to Teach, How with the tongue of the Learned one might speak a word in due season to him that is weary, out of Isaiah. 50. 4. by untying and explaining diligently, CASES OF CONSCIENCE (as they are called.) And the LORD found him so doing like a faithful Servant. Yet left he many behind him affected with that study; who by their godly Sermons (through Gods assistance) made it to run, increase, and be glorified throughout England.

And amongst other things which he Preached profitably, hee began at length to Teach, How with the tongue of the Learned one might speake a word in due season to him that is weary, out of Esai. 50. 4. by untying and explaining diligently, CASES OF CONSCIENCE (as they are called.) And the LORD found him so doing like a faithfull Servant. Yet left he many behinde him affected with that study; who by their godly Sermons (through Gods assistance) made it to runne, encrease, and be glorifyed throughout England.

My heart hath ever since been so set upon that Study, that I have thought it worthy to be followed with all care, by all men. Since also (Gods good providence so disposing it) that I lived out of mine own Country, I did observe that in divers Churches, pure both for Doctrine and Order, this Practical teaching was much wanting, and that this want was one of the chief causes of the great neglect, or carelessness in some ⟨image 4⟩duties which nearly concern Godliness, and a Christian life. My mind was set on, as it were by violence, to try at least in private, whether I were able to prevail with some young men that purpose the Ministry, more to apply their minds to this kind of handling of Divinity; whence no small fruit was to be hoped for. Being afterwards called to a public charge of Teaching in the University, I esteemed nothing better, or more excellent, then to go before those that were Students for the Ministry, in this manner of teaching.

My heart hath ever since been so set upon that Study, that I haue thought it worthy to be followed with all care, by all men. Since also (Gods good providence so disposing it) that I lived out of mine owne Countrey, I did obserue that in divers Churches, pure both for Doctrine and Order, this Practicall teaching was much wanting, and that this want was one of the chiefe causes of the great neglect, or carelessenesse in some ⟨image 4⟩duties which neerely concerne Godlinesse, and a Christian life. My minde was set on, as it were by violence, to try at least in private, whether I were able to prevaile with some young men that purpose the Ministry, more to apply their mindes to this kinde of handling of Divinity; whence no small fruit was to bee hoped for. Being afterwards called to a publike charge of Teaching in the Vniversitie, I esteemed nothing better, or more excellent, then to goe before those that were Students for the Ministrie, in this manner of teaching.

This part of Prophecy hath hitherto been less practised in the Schools of the Prophets, because our Captains were necessarily enforced to fight always in the front against the enemies to defend the Faith, and to purge the floor of the Church; So that they could not plant and water the Fields and Vineyards as they desired; as it useth to fall out in time of hot wars. They thought with themselves in the mean while (as one of some note writes) If we have that single and clear eye of the Gospel if in the house of our Heart the candle of pure Faith be set upon a Candlestick, these small matters might easily be discussed. But experience hath taught at length, that through neglect of this husbandry, a famine of Godliness hath followed in many places, and out of that famine a grievous spiritual plague; insomuch that the counsel of Nehemiah had need be practised; namely, that every man should labour in this work with one hand, holding in the other a Spear or a Dart, whereby he may repel the violence of the enemies. The same Experience hath likewise taught, that these small matters (if so be that so necessary things may be so called) are despised with ⟨image 4⟩no less madness, then if one would suffer the fingers and toes of his hands and feet to be cut off, as some small things, without which he hoped to walk and use his hands well enough. All things therefore being rightly weighed, I have taken in hand (God also liking it, as J am persuaded) these instructions touching the power of Conscience. Not that I hope that any perfect thing, in this kind, can come from me: (for there are more kinds of things this way, then that certain answers can be given (by me at least) to every one) but that I might do something, whereby the unlearned, and such as are destitute of better help, might somewhat be helped; and that the more learned might be excited to set forth some more perfect and exact thing. Of which duty the godly, learned, grave ancient Preachers are properly the Debtors, whose daily labour it is to deal with the Consciences of men; who through their experience have learned much better, what those questions are, in which the Conscience useth most to doubt, and out of what grounds they may be best unfolded; then can easily be understood by one that lives privately in an Academical profession.

This part of Prophecie hath hitherto beene lesse practised in the Schooles of the Prophets, because our Captaines were necessarily inforced to fight alwaies in the front against the enemies to defend the Faith, and to purge the floore of the Church; So that they could not plant and water the Fields and Vineyards as they desired; as it useth to fall out in time of hotte warres. They thought with themselues in the meane while (as one of some note writes) If we haue that single and cleare eye of the Gospel if in the house of our Heart the candle of pure Faith be set upon a Candlesticke, these small matters might easily be discussed. But experience hath taught at length, that through neglect of this husbandry, a famine of Godlinesse hath followed in many places, and out of that famine a grievous spirituall plague; insomuch that the counsell of Nehemiah had need be practised; namely, that every man should labour in this worke with one hand, holding in the other a Speare or a Dart, whereby he may repell the violence of the enemies. The same Experience hath likewise taught, that these small matters (if so be that so necessary things may bee so called) are despised with

And indeed, if such things were handled in the meetings of Preachers, according to the variety of Cases that fall out; and the more remarkable decisions set down in writing; the children of Israel should not need to go down to the Philistines (that is, our Students to Popish Authors) to sharpen every man his Share, his Mattock, or his Axe, or his weeding Hooke, as it fell out in the extreme necessity of Gods people, 1 Sam. 13. 20.

And indeede, if such things were handled in the meetings of Preachers, according to the variety of Cases that fall out; and the more remarkeable decisions set downe in writing; the children of Israel should not neede to goe downe to the Philistims (that is, our Sutdents to Popish Authors) to sharpen every man his Share, his Mattocke, or his Axe, or his weeding Hooke, as it fell out in the extreame necessity of Gods people, 1 Sam. 13. 20.

Furthermore if such as are addicted to the Ministry, were first instructed in these things, and were seriously ⟨image 5⟩tried in them at the Examination, before they were ordained, one might well hope, to have as well Preachers as Churches, more according to Gods heart and Christs, then now we have.

Furthermore if such as are addicted to the Ministry, were first instructed in these things, and were seriously ⟨image 5⟩tried in them at the Examination, before they were ordained, one might well hope, to haue as well Preachers as Churches, more according to Gods heart and Christs, then now we haue.

The Papists have laboured much this way, to instruct their Confessors: and in a great deal of earth and dirt of Superstitions, they have some veins of Silver: out of which, I suppose, I have drawn some things that are not to be despised. But they are without the life of this Doctrine: and death is in their pot. The thing it self requires, that by others, other things be taught, and the same things, after another manner. I have gone about to perform this in part: and others I make no question, will endeavour it.

The Papists haue laboured much this way, to instruct their Confessors: and in a great deale of earth and dirt of Superstitions, they haue some veines of Silver: out of which, I suppose, I haue drawne some things that are not to be despised. But they are without the life of this Doctrine: and death is in their pot. The thing it selfe requires, that by others, other things bee taught, and the same things, after another manner. I haue gone about to performe this in part: and others I make no question, will indeavour it.

I follow here the same method, that I did in my Marrow of Divinity. Of the second part whereof, the¹ three last of these Books are a full Exposition: which perhaps, those did expect that desired importunately, as it were by daily reproaches, that the publishing of this Treatise might be hastened. But (to make an end at length of my Preface) I will conclude many things in few words, and that in the words of G. Parisiensis, Concerning these things, many things we have not written for unskilfulness, many for other necessary business, many for dullness, many through fear of being tedious, many more because of our sins, which most of all hinder both us and others in such things. We doubt not, but we are subject to the danger of slanderous Backbiters; But by doing what we may, we have given some fit occasion unto wise men; and we have set forth, not a dry sandy ground of fruitless Disputations, but a most profitable and healthful place for Wits to exercise themselves in.

I follow here the same methode, that I did in my Marrow of Divinity. Of the second part whereof, the¹ three last of these Bookes are a full Exposition: which perhaps, those did expect that desired importunatly, as it were by dayly reproaches, that the publishing of this Treatise might bee hastened. But (to make an end at length of my Preface) I will conclude many things in few words, and that in the words of G. Parisiensis, Concerning these things, many things we haue not written for unskilfulnes, many for other necessary businesse, many for dulnesse, many through feare of being tedious, many more because of our sinnes, which most of all hinder both us and others in such things. We doubt not, but we are subject to the danger of slanderous Backbiters; But by doing what we may, we have given some fit occasion unto wise men; and we haue set foorth, not a dry sandy ground of fruitlesse Disputations, but a most profitable and healthfull place for Wits to exercise themselues in.

1. 1Medulla Theology.Med•la Theologi•.

W. AMES.