A09365:1428
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.
Ans. We must distinguish between things themselves, and the manner of doing them. When Paul says, it is a fault, he condemneth not lawing absolutely in it self, but the Corinthian manner of going to law: which was this. First, they went to law with scandal, before the Tribunals of Heathenish and unbelieving Judges, and so made the Gospel to ⟨p. 495⟩be slandered and reproached. Secondly, they went to law upon light causes, and for small injuries, which they might well have put up, & easily brooked. Thirdly, in lawing they fell into rash and violent passions of rage, and envy, so as they could not temper themselves, but must needs go to law in the first place; which should rather have been the last and the desperatest remedy of all. And this bad manner of suing one another at the law, is it which Paul rebukes as a fault. And it is to be observed, that Paul notes their fault by a word, that signifies *Weakness or impotency of their affections, whereby it came to pass, that being overcome by the strength of their own desires, upon injuries offered, they were unable to bear them in any degree of Christian moderation, and there upon hastily proceeded to the Courts of Heathen Judges, for determination of controversies and contentions among them.
Ans. We must distinguish between things themselues, and the manner of doing them. When Paul saies, it is a fault, he condemneth not lawing absolutely in it selfe, but the Corinthian manner of going to law: which was this. First, they went to law with scandall, before the Tribunalls of Heathenish and vnbeleeuing Iudges, and so made the Gospell to ⟨p. 495⟩be slandered and reproched. Secondly, they went to law vpon light causes, and for small iniuries, which they might well haue put vp, & easily brooked. Thirdly, in lawing they fell into rash and violent passions of rage, and enuie, so as they could not temper themselues, but must needes goe to law in the first place; which should rather haue been the last and the desperatest remedie of all. And this bad manner of suing one another at the law, is it which Paul rebukes as a fault. And it is to be obserued, that Paul notes their fault by a word, that signifies *