A20760:105
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 allege in their excuse,1 that they swear nothing but the truth, which may lawfully be confirmed with an oath. But as I have showed, Gods name is profaned and abused, not only (although most grievously) when we swear that which is false, but also, when it is used upon every trifling occasion, to confirm an unnecessary truth, which either is not worth proving, or may be demonstrated by other arguments; or without that reverend and religious respect of his glorious Majesty which he requireth.
Others alleage in their excuse,1 that they sweare nothing but the truth, which may lawfully be confirmed with an oath. But as I haue shewed, Gods name is prophaned and abused, not onely (although most grieuouslie) when wee sweare that which is false, but also, when it is vsed vpon euery trifling occasion, to confirme an vnnecessarie truth, which either is not worth proouing, or may be demonstrated by other arguments; or without that reuerend and religious respect of his glorious Maiestie which he requireth.
- 1§. Sect. 5. Their excuse taken away, who allege that they swear nothing but the truth.§. Sect. 5. Their excuse taken away, who alleage that they sweare nothing but the truth.
Yea,1 but will some say, I avoid this danger, seeing my custom is not to swear by God, but by slight and small oaths, as by my faith, troth, by our Lady, the mass, and such like: and therefore I am to be excused, because I do not take the name of God in vain. To this I have already answered, whereas I proved that the Lord requireth that we should swear by his name only: to which I may add, that our Saviour hath directly forbidden such kind of oaths, and hath enjoined us in our ordinary communication,