A20760:115
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.
The third means to avoid vain swearing,1 is to be sparing in the use of earnest asseverations and protestations; for these are as it were the outward and next adjoining fences, the use whereof is to preserve Gods glorious name from being profaned and trampled upon by common use; and therefore so long as we sparingly and reverently approach unto them, we will be much more respective in using the name of God by an oath; whereas if we usually leap over the fence, and by profane and common use tread it down and trample it under foot, then the fence being taken away, the holy name of God himself lieth open to be profaned by vain swearing. Asseverations are as it were the bank and brink of the water, ⟨p. 45⟩and vain swearing like a deep mischievous pit fit to swallow and drown us if we fall into it. So long therefore as we walk aloof, and do not approach the bank but upon weighty occasion, and with great care and circumspection, we keep our selves out of all danger; but if we be still leaping upon the bank, and carelessly dancing upon the very brink, it is a thousand to one we shall slip in and perish, unless we rise again and recover our selves by true repentance. Again, if it be observed that we are sparing in the use of these asseverations, unless it be in weighty affairs and with great reverence and respect, then will it gain unto them such authority, that we shall never be urged by swearing to confirm our speeches; every one being ready more to esteem and credit our honest protestation, then the deep oaths of those who accustom their tongues to vain swearing.
The third meanes to auoid vaine swearing,1 is to be sparing in the vse of earnest asseuerations and protestations; for these are as it were the outward and next adioyning fences, the vse whereof is to preserue Gods glorious name from being prophaned and trampled vpon by common vse; and therefore so long as we sparingly and reuerently approch vnto them, wee will be much more respectiue in vsing the name of God by an oath; whereas if wee vsually leape ouer the fence, and by prophane and common vse tread it downe and trample it vnder foote, then the fence being taken away, the holy name of God himselfe lieth open to be prophaned by vaine swearing. Asseuerations are as it were the banke and brinke of the water,