our liberty is abused by an immoderate use of the gifts of God. The use of them is immoderate three ways. First, in respect of time, as when Dives fared deliciously and was arrayed in rich attire every day. Thus many gentlemen and others offend when they turn recreation into an occupation. Secondly, the gifts of God are immoderately used in respect of themselves, as when men exceed in eating and drinking, as the prophet says, "Adding drunkenness to thirst" (Deut. 29:19). Thirdly, in respect of the callings and conditions of men. For every man is to use the gifts of God according to his place and condition. They then offend that being but mean persons and living by trades, yet for their diet and apparel are as great gentlemen and gentlewomen. Thirdly, liberty is abused when the blessings of God are made instruments and (as it were) flags and banner to display our riot, vanity, ostentation, pride. For this cause sundry things, whereof some are indifferent in themselves, are c...
William Perkins on the issue of Polygamy among the Patriarchs of the Old Testament: "In the history of Abraham I consider three things: the fact of Abraham in taking two wives; the event upon this fact, he had two sons by them; the condition of these sons. Touching the fact of Abraham, it may be demanded, what is to be judged thereof? The ground to the answer shall be this: that marriage is the indivisible conjunction of one man and one woman only. This Christ of purpose teaches (Matt. 19) where He says that "God created them at the first man and woman," and not women (v. 4), "that a man must forsake father and mother, and cleave to his wife," not to his wives (v. 5), that "they twain shall be one flesh" (v. 6). And in all this Christ makes no new law, but only revives the first institution of marriage made in paradise. And Moses having set down this divine institution, adds withal that Lamech was the first that broke it by taking many wives. Now th...