A09365:1140
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.
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. Josh. 9. 18, 19, 20. And about 300 years after, when Saul had slain certain of the Gibeonites, the Israelites for that fact, were punished with three years famine; which could not be stayed, till seven persons of Sauls house were hanged up in Gibeah. 2. Sam. 21.
Ans. If the oath be of things lawfull and possible, it bindeth and is to be kept, though we were induced to it by deceit. Ioshua deceiued by the Gibeonites, was brought to make Couenant of peace with them, and to bind it by an oath: Now perceiuing after three daies, that they had wrought it by craft, he would not touch them, in reuerence of the oath, that he had taken. Iosh. 9. 18, 19, 20. And about 300 years after, whē Saul had slaine certaine of the Gibeonites, the Israelites for that fact, were punished with three yeares famine; which could not be staied, till seauen persons of Sauls house were hanged vp in Gibeah. 2. Sam. 21.
IV. Case. What if a man take an oath by fear and compulsion, is he to keep it, yea or no? For example. A man falling into the hands of thieves, for the safety of his life, is urged to take a solemn oath, that he will ⟨p. 394⟩fetch and deliver them some portion of money, and withal never disclose the parties. The oath being thus taken, the Question is, whether he be bound to keep it?