A09365:1206
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 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, 1. Tim. 4. 1.
Now in Monkish vowes, those things which God hath made indifferent, and put in our libertie, are made necessarie: whereas no ordinance of man, can make things simply necessarie, and parts of Gods worship, which he himselfe hath made indifferent, and left free to the will of man. And hence it was that the forbidding of meates and mariage, were tearmed by the Apostle, The doctrine of Deuills, 1. Tim. 4. 1.
But (will some say) doth not the civill Magistrate in our Common-wealth, forbid the use of some meats? Ans. He doth. But by his commandment he takes not away the liberty that we have in the use of things indifferent, but doth only moderate it, for the common good, which he may do lawfully.
But (will some say) doth not the ciuill Magistrate in our Common-wealth, forbid the vse of some meates? Ans. He doth. But by his commandement he takes not away the libertie that we haue in the vse of things indifferent, but doth onely moderate it, for the common good, which he may doe lawfully.
III. The third reason. Some of them are out of the power and ability of him that voweth; as the vow of perpetual chastity in single life. For our Saviour saith, All men cannot receive this word, but they to whom it is given,