A09365:1216
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.
VI. Sixthly, these vows are Idolatrous and superstitious: for they are made and observed with an opinion of Gods worship, of ⟨p. 419⟩merit, and of the state of perfection: whereas nothing can be made Gods worship, but that which himself commandeth. And bodily exercises are unprofitable, as Paul saith, and therefore they can not be meritorious. And further, to dream of a state of perfection beyond the Law of God, is to make the Law it self imperfect: whereas contrariwise, the Law of the Lord is perfect, righteous, and pure, Psal. 19. 7, 8.
VI. Sixtly, these vowes are Idolatrous and superstitious: for they are made and obserued with an opinion of Gods worship, of ⟨p. 419⟩merit, and of the state of perfection: whereas nothing can be made Gods worship, but that which himselfe commandeth. And bodily exercises are vnprofitable, as Paul saith, and therefore they can not be meritorious. And further, to dreame of a state of perfection beyond the Law of God, is to make the Law it selfe imperfect: whereas contrariwise, the Law of the Lord is perfect, righteous, and pure, Psal. 19. 7, 8.
VII. Lastly, these vows are against the preservation of Nature: for by them, specially that of perpetual chastity, men are brought to destroy even their own bodies and lives, which they are bound to preserve and maintain. Ephes. 5. 29. No man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it. The Apostle, even in his days, noted it as a fault, in the voluntary religion, that was then taken up by some; that for the maintenance thereof, they spared not their own bodies,