A09365:1328
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.
Thirdly, that the Sabbath is a sign (to believers in the new Testament) that God is their God, and they his people; and the same it was to the Jews: therefore the bond is as strict to the one, as to the other. Ans. 1. Believers under the Gospel, have two only signs of the Covenant, Baptism and the Lords Supper, and no more. 2. The Scripture restraineth the Sabbath, as a sign, only to the Jews. It is a sign between me and you in your generations, Exod. 31. 13. Again, v. 16. the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath—for an everlasting covenant. 3. The Sabbath was not a sign in the first institution in Paradise. For the Covenant of grace was made after the fall of man, and the sign thereof must needs be appointed after it: considering that before the fall, Ceremonies signifying sanctification had no place. And this is the first Opinion.
Thirdly, that the Sabboth is a signe (to beleeuers in the new Testament) that God is their God, and they his people; and the same it was to the Iewes: therefore the bond is as strict to the one, as to the other. Ans. 1. Beleeuers vnder the Gospel, haue two onely signes of the Couenant, Baptisme and the Lords Supper, and no more. 2. The Scripture restraineth the Sabboth, as a signe, onely to the Iewes. It is a signe betweene me and you in your generations, Exod. 31. 13. Againe, v. 16. the children of Israel shall keepe the Sabboth—for an euerlasting couenant. 3. The Sabboth was not a signe in the first institution in Paradise. For the Couenant of grace was made after the fall of man, and the signe thereof must needes be appointed after it: considering that before the fall, Ceremonies signifying sanctification had no place. And this is the first Opinion.
The second Opinion touching the Rest of the Sabbath, is flat contrary to the former; namely, that on the Sabbath day, (after the public worship of God is ended, and the Congregation dissolved,) men have liberty either to give themselves to labour, or to honest pleasures and recreations. This Opinion doth quite abolish one of the Commandments of the Decalogue. For it presupposeth all days to be alike, this only provided, that the public worship of God be solemnly kept. Now this may be done in any day of the week; and there will be no need of appointing a set time for Gods service, if all days be equal, without any difference or distinction. But the fourth Commandment (for substance) is eternal, and requireth (upon pain of the curse) both rest from labour, and a setting apart of the same rest, to the duties of holiness & religion. And if it command abstinence from ordinary abour, then much more from pleasures and recreations.