A09365:1132
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.
Now for the better clearing of the answer, we are to consider four particular cases touching this point.
I. Case. What if a man take an oath by false Gods, whether is he bound to keep it, yea or no?
I. Case. What if a man take an oath by false Gods, whether is he bound to keepe it, yea or no?
Ans. He is, and the reasons are these; First from the like. There was a question among the Scribes and Pharisees, Matt. 23. 16. whether a man swearing by the creature were a debtor or no? The Pharisees taught, that if a man sware by creatures, the oath did not bind; But Christ vers. 20. affirmeth, that he that swears by the Temple, or by the Altar or by heaven, swears by God indirectly, & so takes an oath, though not a lawful oath; and thereupon remains bound, and is a debtor; now by proportion he that swears by false Gods, swears by God indirectly, because the false God is, in the opinion of him that swears, a true God, and so his oath bindeth, and is to be kept. Secondly, Abraham accepts the oath that Abimelech tendereth unto him in the name of a false God, Gen. 21. 23 So doth Jacob accept of the ⟨p. 392⟩oath made unto him by Laban, Gen. 31. 53. which they would not have done, if their oaths had not been sufficient bonds, to bind them to observation, and performance.
Ans. He is, and the reasons are these; First from the like. There was a question among the Scribes and Pharises,