A20760:134
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.
And this is the first kind of unlawful oaths,1 which containing wickedness in themselves bind not to performance. The second is, when as the oath is unlawful in respect of the party, who taketh it. As for example, when he that sweareth wanteth discretion, and the use of natural reason, as children, fools or mad men: or when those who being under tuition and government, bind themselves by oath to do a thing against the will and liking of their superiors and governors. As when a child sweareth to match himself in marriage against his parents will, whilst he is under their government; or swears himself into a Monkish cloister, they disavowing his course. For if vows and religious oaths made unto God, for the performance of some external duties, do not bind the conscience, but may be lawfully disannulled by superiors and governors,2 as appeareth Num. 30.4.6. then much more may such oaths as are made unto men be lawfully broken, when as they are unlawfully made.
And this is the first kinde of vnlawfull oathes,1 which containing wickednesse in themselues bind not to performance. The second is, when as the oath is vnlawfull in respect of the partie, who taketh it. As for example, when he that sweareth wanteth discretion, and the vse of naturall reason, as children, fooles or mad men: or when those who being vnder tuition and gouernment, binde themselues by oath to doe a thing against the will and liking of their superiours and gouernours. As when a childe sweareth to match himselfe in mariage against his parents will, whilest he is vnder their gouernment; or sweares himselfe into a Monkish cloister, they disavowing his course. For if vowes and religious oathes made vnto God, for the performance of some externall duties, doe not binde the conscience, but may be lawfully disanulled by superiours and gouernours,2 as appeareth Num. 30.4.6. then much more may such oathes as are made vnto men be lawfully broken, when as they are vnlawfully made.