A09365:667
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.
Ans. Although the full resolution of this cavil, belongs to them that have skill in Architecture; yet thus much may be said in way of answer: That the house might be capable of so many persons, and they also that stood above might well see and behold Sampson. For first, the whole house was not sustained by two pillars only, but by many more, whereof two were the principal. For in likelihood the middle part whereon the whole building was knit together, from the bottom to the top, being the weightiest of all, was supported by two master-pillars. The other which was more outward, and less weighty might be upholden by lesser props, which Artificers in that kind call by the name of false-pillars. Hence it appeareth, that the two main ones standing so nigh together, being shaken, the whole 1house together with them must needs fall. Neither will this seem strange, that two pillars should bear up a building of such capacity; if we do but consider what is recorded of Curio the Romance, who devised 2the frame of a great Amphitheatre, the two ⟨p. 247⟩parts whereof were supported only by two hinges, and yet was so large, that it contained the whole people of Rome. Secondly, old buildings in those countries were made for the most part, with open roof. Again, they were full of windows on every part like unto great gates: and that they might be the more fit for sight from above, they were reared up in some sort after the manner of the Egyptian Pyramids, wider below, and narrower above towards the top. And by this means it is probable, not only that they might contain a great company, but that all those which stood about the sides, and upon the roof, might very well behold what Sampson did below; specially considering that he stood in the middest of the Theatre, between the two middle pillars.
Ans. Although the full resolution of this cauill, belongs to them that haue skill in Architecture; yet thus much may be faide in way of answer: That the house might be capable of so many persons, and they also that stood aboue might well see and behold Sampson. For first, the whole house was not sustained by two pillars onely, but by many more, whereof two were the principall. For in likelihood the middle part whereon the whole building was knit together, from the bottome to the toppe, beeing the weightiest of all, was supported by two master-pillars. The other which was more outward, and lesse weightie might be vpholden by lesser proppes, which Artificers in that kinde call by the name of false-pillars. Hence it appeareth, that the two maine ones standing so nigh together, beeing shaken, the whole