A09365:1042
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.
II. Question. Whether it be lawful for a man being urged, to go to Idol-service, and hear Mass, so as he keep his heart to God?
II. Question. Whether it be lawfull for a man being vrged, to goe to Idol-seruice, and heare Masse, so as he keepe his heart to God?
Ans. It is not, and I prove it by the scope of the eighth and tenth Chapters of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, where the Apostle disputes the Question, whether the Corinthians might go into the temples of Idols, and eat of meat offered unto them, in the mean time, not partaking with Idolaters in the worship of the Idols? This he avoucheth to be utterly unlawful, & for that purpose tells the Corinthians, That they cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and of the cup of Devils. Now as this was unlawful for them, so it is unlawful for any Protestant, to go to any Popish assembly, to hear Mass. Again, God is the Creator of the Body and Soul; therefore he is to be worshipped in both; & consequently we rob him of his due, when we reserve our hearts to him, and give our bodies ⟨p. 368⟩to Idols. To this purpose Paul exhorteth the Romans, to give up their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, Rom. 12. 1. Which place utterly condemneth the error of some, who think, that God will be content with the soul, and that they may bestow there body, in the service of the Devil.
Ans. It is not, and I proue it by the scope of the eigth and tenth Chapters of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, where the Apostle disputes the Question, whether the Corinthians might goe into the temples of Idols, and eate of meat offered vnto them, in the meane time, not partaking with Idolaters in the worship of the Idols? This he auoucheth to be vtterly vnlawfull, & for that purpose tells the Corinthians, That they cannot drinke of the cuppe of the Lord, and of the cuppe of Deuills. Now as this was vnlawfull for them, so it is vnlawfull for any Protestant, to goe to any Popish assembly, to heare Masse. Again, God is the Creator of the Body and Soule; therefore he is to be worshipped in both; & cōsequently we robbe him of his due, when we reserue our hearts to him, and giue our bodies