Book 1, Chapter 4: The Distinction of Cases

Of the distinction of Cases.

Thus much touching the Preambles, or Grounds of this doctrine. Now it remaineth that we come to the Questions of Conscience.

These Questions may be fitly divided, according to the matter or subject of them, which is Man. Now as Man is considered diverse ways, that is to say, either apart by himself; or as he stands in relation to another, and is a member of a Society: so the Questions of Conscience are to be distinguished; some concerning man simply considered by himself: some again, as he stands in relation to another.

Man standeth in a twofold relation: to God, or to Man. As he stands in relation to God, he bears the name of a Christian, that is, a member of Christ, or a son of God, whose duty is to know and to worship God according to his will revealed in his word. As he stands in relation to man, he is a part of a body, and a member of some society. Now the Questions that concern him, as a member of a society, are of three sorts, according to three distinct kinds of societies. For every man is either a member of a Family, or of the Church, or of the Commonwealth. And answerably, some Questions concern man as a member of a family: some as he is a member of the Church: some as he is a member of the Commonwealth.

In a word therefore, all Questions touching man, may be reduced to three general heads. The first whereof is, concerning man simply considered as he is a man. The second, touching man as he stands in relation to God. The third, concerning man as he is a member of one of the three societies, that is, either of the Family, or of the Church, or of the Commonwealth.

Questions of the first sort, concerning man simply considered in himself as he is a man, are especially three.

The first, What a man must do, that he may come into the favor of God, and be saved?

The second, How he may be assured in conscience of his own salvation?

The third, How he may recover himself, when he is distressed or fallen? Of these in order.