A20760:102
Four treatises tending to dissuade all Christians from four no less heinous then common…Foure treatises tending to disswade all Christians from foure no lesse hainous then common…
Four treatises tending to dissuade all Christians from four no less heinous then common sins; namely, the abuses of swearing, drunkenness, whoredom, and bribery. Wherein the greatness and odiousness of these vices is discovered; and the means and remedies, which may either preserve, or wean men from them, are propounded. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of anger. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods word.Foure treatises tending to disswade all Christians from foure no lesse hainous then common sinnes; namely, the abuses of swearing, drunkennesse, whoredome, and briberie. Wherein the greatnes and odiousnesse of these vices is discouered; and the meanes and remedies, which may either preserue, or weane men from them, are propounded. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of anger. By Iohn Dovvname Batcheler in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for William Welby, 1609
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.
Others excuse themselves,1 that though they swear, yet they think no harm, and therefore they hope God will have them excused. To these I answer with our Saviour, that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: and therefore if the words be profane, we may safely conclude, that the heart also is polluted.2 If the heart were a good treasury, they would, as Christ saith, bring out of it good things, even such pure golden speeches as would endure the touch and trial of Gods word; and not vent forth nothing else but dross and filth. If piety and the true fear of God were rooted in their hearts, they would not from these good trees bring forth such evil fruits;3 if they were pure fountains seasoned with Gods grace, they would never send forth such bitter and polluted streams, neither would they blaspheme God with their mouth, if they blessed him in their hearts. In a word, if they had any dram of true religion seated in the heart, it would bridle the tongue, and restrain it from vain ⟨p. 39⟩swearing: for what sin will a man leave for Gods sake, if he will not leave this which is every way unprofitable, and many ways hurtful? And therefore we may conclude, with the Apostle, that if any man amongst us seemeth religious, and refraineth not his tongue, he deceiveth his own heart, and his religion is vaine. Jam. 1.26.4 Neither let them think that howsoever they excuse themselves, God will have them excused; seeing he hath plainly told them, that they shall give an account for every idle word, and therefore much more for vain and impious oaths; and that when he cometh to judge, he will pass the sentence, not according to our secret thoughts, but according to our words and works. Matth.5 12.37