A09365:1698
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.
The second Conclusion. Recreation may not be made of the sins or offences of men. They ought ⟨p. 586⟩to be unto us the matter of sorrow & mourning. David shed rivers of tears, because men brake the commandments of God, Psal. 119. 136. The righteous heart of Lot was vexed, with hearing the abominations of Sodom. 2. Pet. 2. 8.
The second Cōclusion. Recreation may not be made of the sinns or offences of men. They ought ⟨p. 586⟩to be vnto vs the matter of sorrow & mourning. Dauid shed riuers of tears, because men brake the commandements of God, Psal. 119. 136. The righteous heart of Lot was vexed, with hearing the abominations of Sodome. 2. Pet. 2. 8.
Upon this, it followeth first, that common plays, which are in use in the world, are to be reproved, as being not meet and convenient matter of Recreation. For they are nothing else, but representations of the vices & misdemeanours of men in the world. Now such representations are not to be approved. Paul saith, Fornication, covetousness, let them not be named among you, as becometh Saints, Eph. 5. 3. And if vices of men may not be named, unless the naming of them, tend to the reproving & further condemning of them, much less may they be represented, for the causing of mirth and pastime. For, naming is far less, then representing, which is the real acting of the vice. Indeed Magistrates & Ministers may name them, but their naming must be to punish, and reform them, not otherwise. Again, it is unseemly, that a man should put on the person, behaviour, and habit of a woman; as it is also for a woman to put on the person, behaviour and habit of a man, though it be but for an hour. The law of God forbids both,