A09365:1695
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.
II. Question. What kinds of recreations and sports, are lawful & convenient, and what be unlawful and unconuenient?
II. Question. What kindes of recreations and sports, are lawfull & conuenient, and what be vnlawfull and vnconuenient?
Ans. I will first lay down this ground, that, All lawful Recreation is only in the use of things indifferent, which are in themselves neither commanded nor forbidden. For by christian liberty, the use of such things for lawful delight and pleasure, is permitted ⟨p. 585⟩unto us. Therefore meet and fit recreations do stand in the use of things indifferent, and not in things either commanded or forbidden. Hence I derive three Conclusions, that may serve for the better answer of the Question.
Ans. I will first lay downe this ground, that, All lawfull Recreation is onely in the vse of things indifferent, which are in themselues neither commanded nor forbidden. For by christiā libertie, the vse of such things for lawfull delight and pleasure, is permitted ⟨p. 585⟩vnto vs. Therfore meete and fitt recreations doe stand in the vse of things indifferent, and not in things either commanded or forbidden. Hence I deriue three Conclusions, that may serue for the better answer of the Question.
I. Recreation may not be in the use of holy things; that is, in the use of the word, Sacraments, prayer, or in any act of religion. For these things are sacred & divine, they do stand by Gods express commandment, & may not be applied to any common or vulgar use. For this cause it is well provided, that the pageants which have been used in sundry cities of this land are put down; because they were nothing else, but either the whole or part of the history of the Bible turned into a Play. And therefore the less to be allowed, considering that the more holy the matter is which they represent, the more unholy are the plays themselves. Again, all such jests, as are framed out of the Phrases & sentences of the scripture, are abuses of holy things, and therefore carefully to be avoided. The common saying may teach us thus much.