A09365:1118
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.
The third is Justice, wherein also care must be had of two things. First, that the point to be confirmed, be lawful. And it is then ⟨p. 386⟩lawful, when it may stand with piety, and charity. Secondly, that the occasions of taking the oath, be also just; and they be chiefly four. I. When it may further Gods glory and worship: or serve to prove some doctrine of salvation, in whole or in part. II. When it may tend to the furtherance of brotherly love; or to the preservation of our neighbours life, goods, or good name: or further, to the confirmation of some league, covenant, or contract made between parties, upon good ground, and for good and necessary purposes. III. When it serveth, to relieve a mans own private necessity; as when one swears to maintain his own good name, goods, or life; to confirm his own faith and truth in contracts. An example hereof we have in Paul; who to confirm the Romans, in the persuasion of his love and care of their salvation, saith, God is my witness (whom I serve in my spirit, in the Gospel of his Son) that without ceasing, I make mention of you, Rom. 1. 9. And again, to keep his own credit and good name, among the Jews, I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness, in the holy Ghost, Rom. 9. 1. IV. When the Magistrate doth exact it, by order of justice. This, though it be a just occasion, and warrant of an oath, yet three Caveats are in it to be observed.
The third is Iustice, wherein also care must be had of two things. First, that the point to be confirmed, be lawefull. And it is then ⟨p. 386⟩lawfull, when it may stand with pietie, and charitie. Secondly, that the occasions of taking the oath, be also iust; and they be chiefly foure. I. When it may further Gods glorie and worship: or serue to prooue some doctrine of saluation, in whole or in part. II. When it may tende to the furtherance of brotherly loue; or to the preseruation of our neighbours life, goods, or good name: or further, to the confirmation of some league, couenant, or contract made betweene parties, vpon good ground, and for good and necessarie purposes. III. When it serueth, to releeue a mans owne priuate necessitie; as when one sweares to maintaine his owne good name, goods, or life; to confirme his owne faith and truth in contracts. An example hereof we haue in Paul; who to confirme the Romanes, in the perswasion of his loue and care of their saluation, saith, God is my witnesse (whome I serue in my spirit, in the Gospel of his Sonne) that without ceasing, I make mention of you,