A09365:1571
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.
This the Scripture teacheth in many places, Act. 10. 15. The things that God hath purified, pollute thou not. Peter in these words teacheth, that all meats in the new Testament in regard of use, were made clean by God, and therefore that no man by refusal of any kind of meats, should think or make them unclean. Again, Rom. 14. 17. The kingdom of God is not meat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost. For whosoever in these things serveth Christ, is acceptable to God and approved of him. Hence it appeareth, that in the Apostles judgement, meat and drink doth not make any man accepted of God, whether he useth or useth it not, but the worship of God is it that makes man approved of him. To the same purpose it is said, 1. Cor. 8. 8. Meat doth not commend us unto God. Again, Col. 2. 16. Let no man condemn you in meat and drink, &c. ver. 20. If ye be dead with Christ, why as if ye lived in the world, are ye burdened with Traditions, as Touch not, Taste not, Handle not? All which perish with the using. Here, Paul would not have the Colossians burdened ⟨p. 540⟩with rites and Traditions concerning meats, so as if they used them not, they should in cur the blame and condemnation of men: but he would have them to use them freely and indifferently. And his reason is double; First, because they were now freed in conscience, from the bond of the Ceremonial law touching meats; and therefore they were in conscience much more freed from mens laws. Secondly, because these traditions are not the rules and commandments of God, but the doctrine and precepts of men. Furthermore, Paul in 1. Tim. 4. 3. foretells, that there should be many in the latter days, that should command to abstain from meats. To which place the Papist answers, that that was, because such persons taught, that meats were unclean by nature. But the words are simply to be understood, of meats forbidden with obligation of the conscience; and the text is general, speaking of the doctrine, not of the persons of those men; nor in civill respects, but in regard of the bond of conscience. Lastly, it is a part of Christian liberty, to have freedom in conscience, as touching all things indifferent, and therefore in regard of meats.