A09365:1105
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 an oath by false gods, be a true oath or no? for example, the oath of the Turk by Mahomet; the oath of Laban, by the gods of Nachor, that is, by his Idols: when as in them, there is no invocation of the true God of heaven and earth.
II. Question. Whether an oath by false gods, be a true oath or no? for example, the oath of the Turke by Mahomet; the oath of Laban, by the gods of Nachor, that is, by his Idols: when as in them, there is no inuocation of the true God of heauen and earth.
I answer as before; though it be not a lawful oath, yet it is in value & effect an oath. For though that thing be a false god indeed, by which it is taken; yet it is the true God, in the opinion of him that sweareth. Thus Mahomet is to the Turk, in stead of the true God, and is honoured of him as God: and therefore his oath by Mahomet, is a true oath. Thus when Jacob in the covenant that he made with Laban, swears by the fear of his father Isaac, and Laban by the Idols of Nachor; Jacob accepted the oath which was tendered to him, in the name of a false god; which he would not have done, if it had not been an oath at all. And hence the Case is plain, that swearing by a false god, is an oath: and therefore bindeth the swearer in Conscience, thought it be unlawfully taken.
I answer as before; though it be not a lawfull oath, yet it is in value & effect an oath. For though that thing be a false god indeed, by which it is taken; yet it is the true God, in the opinion of him that sweareth. Thus Mahomet is to the Turke, in stead of the true God, and is honoured of him as God: and therefore his oath by Mahomet, is a true oath. Thus when Iacob in the couenant that he made with Laban, sweares by the feare of his father Isaak, and Laban by the Idols of Nachor; Iacob accepted the oath which was tendered to him, in the name of a false god; which he would not haue done, if it had not beene an oath at all. And hence the Case is plaine, that swearing by a false god, is an oath: and therefore bindeth the swearer in Conscience, thought it be vnlawfully taken.