A09365:1141
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.
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?
IV. Case. What if a man take an oath by feare and compulsion, is he to keepe it, yea or no? For example. A man falling into the hands of theeues, for the safetie of his life, is vrged to take a solemne oath, that he will ⟨p. 394⟩fetch and deliuer them some portion of money, and withall neuer disclose the parties. The oath beeing thus taken, the Question is, whether he be bound to keepe it?
Ans. Some Divines are of opinion, that the oath is to be kept, and some say no: but generally it is answered, that it must be kept, because this fear did, not abolish the consent of his will. But if it be alleged, that in so doing, he shall hurt the Common-wealth: Answer is made, that if he do not swear secrecy, he may in probability bring greater damage to the weal public, in depriving it of a member, by the loss of his own life. But it will be said, by this means he maintains a thief. Ans. Be it so: yet he remains excusable, because that was not his intent, but only to preserve his own life, to the good of the Common-wealth.
Ans. Some Diuines are of opinion, that the oath is to be kept, and some say no: but generally it is answered, that it must be kept, because this feare did, not abolish the consent of his will. But if it be alleadged, that in so doing, he shall hurt the Common-wealth: Answer is made, that if he doe not sweare secrecie, he may in probabilitie bring greater damage to the weale publike, in depriuing it of a member, by the losse of his owne life. But it will be saide, by this meanes he maintaines a theefe. Ans. Be it so: yet he remaines excusable, because that was not his intent, but onely to preserue his owne life, to the good of the Common-wealth.