Resolvtions and decisions of divers practicall cases of conscience in continuall use amongst men very necessary for their information and direction in these evil times, in four decades / by Jos. Hall ...

The CONTENTS of the first Decade.

Cases of Profit and Traffique.

• I. WHether it be lawfull for me to raise any profit by the loane of Mony. p. 1
• II. Whether may I not sell my wares as deare as I can, and get what I may of every Buyer? 13
• III. Whether is the Seller bound to make known to the Buyer the faults of that which he is about to sell? 19
• IV. Whether may I sell my commodi∣ties

• the dearer for giving dayes of payment? 24
• V. Whether and how farre Monopolies are, or may be lawfull? 30
• VI. Whether and how far doth a frau∣dulent bargaine binde me to perfor∣mance? 38
• VII. How farre and when am I bound to make restitution of another mans goods remaining in my hands? 47
• VIII. Whether and how farre doth a promise extorted by feare, though seconded by an oath, binde my Con∣science to performance? 54
• IX. Whether those monies, or goods which I have found may be safely taken, and kept by me to my owne use? 61
• ...

• ... X. Whether I may lawfully buy those goods, which I shall strongly suspect, or know to be stollen, or plundred; or if I have ignorantly bought such goods, whether I may lawfully (af∣ter knowledge of their Owner) keep them as mine? 66

The CONTENTS of the second Decade.

Cases of Life and Liberty.

• I. WHether and in what cases it may be lawfull for a man to take away the life of another. p. 71
• II. Whether may I lawfully make use of a Duel for the deciding of my right; or the vindication of my honour? 81
• ...

• ... III. Whether may it be lawfull in case of extremity to procure the abortion of the Child for the preservation of the Mother? 89
• IV. Whether a man adjudged to perpe∣tuall imprisonment, or death, may in conscience indeavour, and practice an escape? 101
• V. Whether and how farre a man may be urged to an Oath. 108
• VI. Whether a Judge may upon alle∣gations, proofs and evidences of o∣thers, condemn a man to death, whom he himselfe certainly knowes to be innocent? 117
• VII. Whether and in what cases am I bound to be an accuser of another? 129
• VIII. Whether a Prisoner indicted of a felonious act which he hath commit∣ted;

• and interrogated by the Judge concerning the same, may stand upon the denial, and plead not guilty? 136
• IX. Whether and how farre a man may take up armes in the publique quar∣rell of a warre? 143
• X. Whether and how far a man may act towards his owne death? 150

The CONTENTS of the third Decade.

Cases of Piety and Religion.

• I. WHether upon the appearance of evil Spirits, we may hold discourse with them, and how we may demeane our selves concerning them. 161
• ...

• ... II. How farre a secret pact with evill Spirits doth extend; and what a∣ctions and events must be referred thereunto. 174
• III. Whether reserving my conscience to my selfe, I may be present at an I∣dolatrous devotion; or whether in the lawful service of God I may com∣municate with wicked persons? 183
• IV. Whether vowes be not out of fashi∣on now under the Gospel; of what things they may be made; how farre they oblige us: and whether and how farre they may be capable of a release. 192
• V. Whom may we justly hold an Here∣tique; and what is to be done in case of Heresie. 201
• VI. Whether the lawes of men doe bind the conscience; and how farre we

• are tyed to their obedience. 210
• VII. Whether Tithes be lawfull main∣tenance for Ministers under the Gospel; and whether men be bound to pay them accordingly. 219
• VIII. Whether it be lawfull for Chri∣stians, where they find a Countrey possessed by Savage Pagans and In∣fidels, to drive out the native Inha∣bitants, and to seize upon and enjoy their lands upon any pretence what∣soever; and upon what grounds it may be lawfull so to doe. 233
• IX. Whether I need in case of some foule sinne committed by me to have recourse to Gods Minister for abso∣lution; and what effect I may expect there-from. 249
• X. Whether it be lawfull for a man that is not a professed Divine, that is (as

• we for distinction are wont to call him) for a meer Laick person, to take upon him to interpret Scripture. 262

The CONTENTS of the fourth Decade.

Cases Matrimoniall.

• I. WHether the Marriage of a Son or Daughter, without or a∣gainst the Consent of Parents, may be accounted lawfull. 285
• II. Whether marriage lawfully made may admit of any cause of Divorce, save onely for the violation of the Marriage-bed by fornication, or a∣dultery. 296
• ...

• ... III. Whether after a lawfull Divorce for adultery, the innocent party may marry againe. 311
• IV. Whether the authority of a Father may reach so farre as to command or compell the Child to dispose of him∣self in marrage where he shall ap∣point. 322
• V. Whether the marriage of Cousens∣german, that is, of Brothers and Sisters children, be lawfull. 331
• VI. Whether it be necessary or requi∣site there should be a witnessed con∣tract, or Espousalls of the Parties to be married, before the solemnization of the marriage. 343
• VII. Whether there ought to be a pro∣hibition, and forbearance of mar∣riages, and marriage-duties for some times appointed. 353
• ...

• ... VIII. Whether it be necessary that mar∣riages should be celebrated by a Mi∣nister; and whether they may be va∣lid, and lawfull without him. 361
• IX. Whether there be any necessity or use of thrice publishing the Contract of marriage in the Congregation before the celebration of it; and whe∣ther it be fit, that any Dispensation should be granted for the forbea∣rance of it. 366
• X. Whether Marriages once made, may be annulled, and utterly voided; and in what cases this may be done? 372

ADDITIONALS to the fourth Decade.

• I. WHether a Marriage consummate betwixt the Unkle and Neece be so utterly unlawfull, as to merit a sentence of present separation. 383
• II. Whether it be lawfull for a man to marry his Wives Brothers Widow. 406
• III. Whether an incestuous Marriage contracted in simplicity of heart be∣twixt two Persons ignorant of such a defilement, and so farre consum∣mate as that Children are borne in that wedlocke, ought to be made knowne and prosecuted to a dissolu∣tion. 412.