A09365:1593
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
Book 3 › Chapter 4 › Section 2 › Question 2 › Section 2: §ect. 2.
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.
I. Touching the former. We may use these gifts of God, with Christian liberty: and how is that? not sparingly alone, and for mere necessity, to the satisfying of our hunger, and quenching of our thirst, but also freely and liberally, for Christian delight and pleasure. For this is that liberty, which God hath granted to all believers. Thus we read, that Joseph and his brethren with him, did eat and drink together of the best, that is, liberally, Gen. 43. 34. And to this purpose David saith, that God giveth wine, to make glad the heart of man, and oil to make the face to shine, as well as bread to strengthen the body. Psal. 104. 15. And the Lord threateneth to bring a punishment upon his people, Agg. 1. 6. in that he would give them his creatures indeed, but such a portion of the, as should only supply their present necessities, and no more. Ye shall eat (saith he) but ye shall not have enough: ye shall drink, but ye shall not be filled. Again, we read that Levi the Publican, made our Saviour Christ a great feast in his own house. Luk. 5. 29. At the marriage in Cana a town of Galilee, where Christ was present, the guests are said, according to the manner of these countries, to have drunk liberally. Joh. 2. 10. And at an other place, in supper time, Mary is said to have taken a box of precious and costly ointment, and to have anointed his feet there with, so as the whole house was filled with the savour of the ointment. ⟨p. 549⟩Joh. 12. 3. Judas indeed thought that expense which she had made superstitious, but Christ approves of her act, and commendeth her for it.
I. Touching the former. We may vse these gifts of God, with Christian libertie: and how is that? not sparingly alone, and for meere necessitie, to the satisfying of our hunger, and quenching of our thirst, but also freely and liberally, for Christian delight and pleasure. For this is that libertie, which God hath graunted to all beleeuers. Thus we read, that Ioseph and his brethren with him, did eate and drinke together of the best, that is, liberally,