A09365:558
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.
IV. The fourth argument from nature, is this: There is a ground or principle written in every mans heart in the world, none excepted, that there is a God. Reasons for proof hereof, may be these.
IV. The fourth argument from nature, is this: There is a ground or principle written in euery mans heart in the world, none excepted, that there is a God. Reasons for proofe hereof, may be these.
First, the Gentiles worshipping Idols, made of stocks and stones, do acknowledge herein thus much, that there is something whereunto honour and service is due. For man by nature is proud, and will never yield to bow the knee of his body before a stock or a stone to adore it, unless he think and acknowledge that there is in them a divine power, better then himself.
First, the Gentiles worshipping Idoles, made of stocks and stones, doe acknowledge herein thus much, that there is something whereunto honour and seruice is due. For man by nature is proud, and will neuer yeeld to bow the knee of his bodie before a stocke or a stone to adore it, vnlesse he thinke and acknowledge that there is in them a diuine power, better then himselfe.
Secondly, the oath that is taken for Confirmation, commonly termed the assertory oath, is used in all countries. And it is, for the most part, generally taken to be a lawful means of confirming a mans word, when it is bound by the oath taken. Jacob and Laban being to make a covenant, Jacob swears ⟨p. 213⟩by the true God, Laban by his false gods, and by that both were bound to stand to their agreement, and not to go back: therefore neither of them did, or durst break their oath. And among the Gentiles themselves there are few or none to be found, that will falsify their word given and avowed by oath. Whereupon it is a clear case, that they acknowledged a Godhead, which knows and discerns their hearts, yea that knows the truth, and can and will plague them for disgracing the truth by lying.