A09365:1262
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.
III. Question. Whether Popish Fasts be ⟨p. 433⟩lawful, and approved of God?
III. Question. Whether Popish Fasts be ⟨p. 433⟩lawfull, and approoued of God?
Ans. They are wicked, and therefore neither approved of God, nor to be observed by man; and that for three special causes.
Ans. They are wicked, and therefore neither approoued of God, nor to be obserued by man; and that for three speciall causes.
First, the patrons & maintainers of them, do appoint set times of fasting, which are, necessarily to be kept, upon pain of mortal sin. And abstinence from flesh (with them) is made a matter of conscience. Now to prescribe set times necessarily to be observed, is contrary to that liberty, which the Church of God and the governors thereof have for this purpose, only upon special occasion. When the question was moved to our Saviour, by Johns Disciples, Why they and the Pharisees fasted often, whereas his fasted not; Answer was given in this manner, Can the children of the marriage chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast,