A09365:1205
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.
II. The second reason follows. Monkish vows, as they are against Gods commandment, so are they also against the Liberty of Conscience, which we have by Christ touching the use of the creatures, and ordinances of God: as riches, marriages, meats, drinks, and apparel. Stand fast, saith the Apostle, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, Gal. 5. 1. Again, Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, Coloss. 2. 16. In these places, there is granted unto man, a free use of all things indifferent, so it ⟨p. 415⟩be not in case of offence.
II. The second reason followes. Monkish vowes, as they are against Gods commandement, so are they also against the Libertie of Conscience, which we haue by Christ touching the vse of the creatures, and ordinances of God: as riches, mariages, meates, drinkes, and apparell. Stand fast, saith the Apostle, in the libertie wherewith Christ hath made you free, Gal. 5. 1. Againe, Let no man iudge you in meat, or in drinke, or inrespect of an holy day, Coloss. 2. 16. In these places, there is granted vnto man, a free vse of all things indifferent, so it ⟨p. 415⟩be not in case of offence.
Now in Monkish vows, those things which God hath made indifferent, and put in our liberty, are made necessary: whereas no ordinance of man, can make things simply necessary, and parts of Gods worship, which he himself hath made indifferent, and left free to the will of man. And hence it was that the forbidding of meats and marriage, were termed by the Apostle, The doctrine of Devils,