A09365:560
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.
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.
Secondly, the oath that is taken for Confirmation, commonly tearmed the assertorie oath, is vsed in all countries. And it is, for the most part, generally taken to be a lawfull meanes of confirming a mans word, when it is bound by the oath taken. Iacob and Laban beeing to make a couenant, Iacob sweares ⟨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 goe backe: therefore neither of them did, or durst breake their oath. And among the Gentiles themselues there are fewe or none to be found, that will falsifie their word giuen and auowed by oath. Whereupon it is a cleare case, that they acknowledged a Godhead, which knowes and discernes their hearts, yea that knowes the truth, and can and will plague them for disgracing the truth by lying.
Thirdly, we are not lightly to pass over the usual terms and ordinary speech of all nations, who are wont upon occasion to say: it rains, it thunders, it snows, it hails. For, saying this, one while they rejoice and are thankful, otherwhiles they fear and are dismayed. They say not, nature or heaven rains or thunders: for then they would neither rejoice nor tremble. In that therefore they speak this commonly sometimes rejoicing, sometimes fearing, it may probably be thought, that they acknowledge a divine power, which causeth the rain to fall, and the thunder to be so terrible.