A09365:1138
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.
And here a difference is to be made between a promissory oath, and a single promise. ⟨p. 393⟩A single promise may be reversed by the will, and consent of him, to whom it is made; but a promise made by an oath, is to be kept, though losses and hinderances ensue thereupon. For the reverence we bear to the name of God used in the oath, ought to be of greater force with us, then any private hinderance or inconvenience, which may befall us, upon the performance of the same.
And here a difference is to be made betweene a promissorie oath, and a single promise. ⟨p. 393⟩A single promise may be reversed by the will, and consent of him, to whom it is made; but a promise made by an oath, is to be kept, though losses and hinderances ensue therevpon. For the reuerence we beare to the name of God vsed in the oathe, ought to be of greater force with vs, then any priuate hinderance or inconueniēce, which may befall vs, vpon the performance of the same.
III. Case. Whether doth an oath bind conscience, whereunto a man is drawn, by fraud and subtlety?
III. Case. Whether doth an oath binde conscience, whereunto a man is drawne, by fraud and subtiltie?
Ans. If the oath be of things lawful and possible, it bindeth and is to be kept, though we were induced to it by deceit. Joshua deceived by the Gibeonites, was brought to make Covenant of peace with them, and to bind it by an oath: Now perceiving after three days, that they had wrought it by craft, he would not touch them, in reverence of the oath, that he had taken.