A09365:1123
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.
Against this it is objected. I. That Joseph sware by the life of Pharaoh, Gen. 42. 25. therefore it may seem, that oaths by creatures are not unlawful. Ans. First, it may be said, that Joseph sinned in so swearing: for therein he imitated the Egyptians, who sware by the life of their King. Secondly, it may be answered, that Joseph doth only make an asseveration, and not an oath.
Against this it is obiected. I. That Ioseph sware by the life of Pharaoh, Gen. 42. 25. therefore it may seeme, that oathes by creatures are not vnlawfull. Ans. First, it may be said, that Ioseph sinned in so swearing: for therein he imitated the Egyptians, who sware by the life of their King. Secondly, it may be answered, that Ioseph doth onely make an asseueration, and not an oath.
Object. II. The Church in the Canticles takes an oath, by the Creatures. Cant. 2. 7. I charge you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, &c. Ans. It is no oath, but an obtestation, whereby the Church calls the creatures, to witness her earnest affection to Christ. The like is made by Moses, De••. 30. 19. when he saith, I call heaven ⟨p. 389⟩and earth to record against you this day. And by Paul, in his charge to Timothy, 1. Tim. 5. 21. I charge thee, before the elect Angels. In which, and the like speeches, there is no swearing, but a kind of citation, or summoning of the Creatures as witnesses. And there is great difference between an oath, and an obtestation. In the Obtestation, there is no more, but a calling of the creature to give testimony, the matter being already apparent and manifest. But in an Oath, where the matter is not so manifest, God is made not only a witness, but also a judge and revenger.