Resolvtions and decisions of divers practicall cases of conscience in continuall use amongst men very necessary for their information and direction in these evil times, in four decades / by Jos. Hall ...

To the READER.

OF all Divinity that part is most use∣full, which de∣termines cases of Consci∣ence; and of all cases of Conscience the Practicall are most necessary; as a∣ction is of more concern∣ment than speculation: And of all practicall Ca∣ses those which are of most cōmon use are of so much greater necessity &

benefit to be resolved, as the errors therof are more universall; and therefore more prejudiciall to the society of mankind: These I have selected out of ma∣ny; and having turned o∣ver divers Casuists have pitch't upon those Decisi∣ons, which I hold most conformable to enlighte∣ned reason, and religion: sometimes I follow them, & sometimes I leave them for a better Guide.

In the handling of all which, would I have affe∣cted that course which Se∣neca blames in his Albutius, to say all that might be spoken, I could easily have been more Voluminous, though perhaps not more satisfactory. If these lines meet with different judg∣ments; I cannot blame ei∣ther my selfe, or them. It is the opinion of some Schoolmen (which seems to be made good by that

instance in the Prophet Daniel ) that even the good Angels themselves may holily vary in the way, though they perfect∣ly meet in the end: It is farre from my thoughts to obtrude these my Re∣solutions as peremptory, and magisteriall upon my Readers, I onely tender them submissely, as pro∣bable advises to the sim∣pler sort of Christians;

& as matter of grave cen∣sure to the learned.

May that infinite Good∣nesse to whose only glory I humbly desire to devote my selfe and all my poore indeavours, make them as beneficial, as they are wel∣meant to the good of his Church, by the unwor∣thiest of his Servants

Higham near Norwich, March 29. 1650.

I. H. B. N.

Notes

• Dan. 10. 13. 20, 21. 12. 1.