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.

Sect. 3.

In the next place it may be demaunded, * 1.1 When a Pastor, or other may not flie?

For answer herevnto, the Signes of vnlaw∣full flight are to be considered, and they are principally foure.

The first is, when God puts into a mans heart, the Spirit of courage and fortitude, whereby he is resolued to abide, and stand out against the force of all enemies. Thus Paul, Act. 20. 22. went bound in the Spirit to Ie∣rusalem. Where, though he knew that bonds and afflictions did abide him, yet he would not be disswaded, but vttered these words of

resolution. I passe not at all, neither is my life deare vnto my selfe, so that I may fulfil my course with ioy, and the ministration, which I haue recei∣ued of the Lord Iesus, to testifie the Gospell of the grace of God. This motion of the Spirit is not ordinarie, yet in the time of hot persecution, it hath beene found, in many worthy instru∣ments of Gods glory, as may be seene in the Histories of sundry Martyrs, in the daies of Queene Mary. But one especially, (of whom I was credibly informed) that hauing this motion, not to stand out, and yet flying: for that very act, felt such a sting in his consci∣ence, that he could neuer haue peace till his death.

The second signe is, when a man is appre∣hended, and vnder the custodie of the Magi∣strate. For then hee is not to flie, because he must, in all his sufferings, obey the Magi∣strate.

Here a Question is mooued, Whether a man that is imprisoned, may breake prison?

To this, Popish Schoolemen answer, that he may; if the cause of his imprisonment be vniust. And sutable to this assertion, is the common practise of Papists. We on the con∣trary say, and that truly, that no man being in durance, may vse any vnlawfull or violent meanes to escape; for we may not, at any hand, resist the Magistrate in our sufferings. Seruants are commanded, to subiect them∣selues with patience, vnto the vniust corre∣ctions

of their Maisters, 1. Pet. 2. 19. And this reason is giuen; For it is thankeworthy, if a man, for conscience toward God, endure greife, suffering wrongfully. The Apostles, being in prison, v∣sed no meanes to deliuer themselues; but when the Angell of the Lord had opened the prison dores, then they came forth, and not before, Act. 5. 19. And that which Peter and the other Apostles did, must Pastors and other men also doe, in the like case, for Reli∣gion sake.

The third signe, When a man is bound by his calling and ministerie, so as in it, he may glorifie God and doe good to the church by preaching; thē he must not fly. For, the duties of a mans calling, must be prefer∣red before any worldly thing whatsoeuer, whether body, goods; friends or life, &c.

The fourth signe. When God in his pro∣vidence, cuts off all lawfull meanes and waies of flying, he doth then (as it were) bidde that man stay and abide. I say, lawfull meanes; because we may not vse those that are vnlawfull, but rather rest contented, and resigne our selues wholly to Gods will and pleasure. Wee must not doe any euill, that good may come thereof; and of two evills, not onely not the lesse, but neither of both is to be chosen. So much of Confession.

Notes

• * 1.1

  When a man may flie?