A20760:135
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 these are the oaths which being unlawful do not bind the conscience,1 but may lawfully be broken, either presently when as they contain in them apparent evil at the first view, or as soon as the unlawfulness of them is discovered, which for a time hath been hidden from us. Yea we not only may, as being permitted, but ought, as being required, break all such oaths, as bind us to that which is wicked and unlawful. According to that:2 In malis promissis rescind fidem, in turpi voto muta decretum: In evil promises keep not fidelity; in a dishonest vow change thy purpose: for such oaths as are unlawful are laudably broken, but damnably observed. And the reason is apparent, because by keeping them we shall but add sin unto sin; unto wicked swearing more wicked performance. Let us therefore carefully take heed, that we do not by oath promise any thing which is evil; for if the evil be known and apparent, it is horrible wickedness to draw God into the association of our impiety, ⟨p. 57⟩by calling him to be our witness and surety; if it be not apparent, it is profane rashness; for before we swear, we ought to be assured of the lawfulness of our oath. But if through infirmity or corruption, we have fallen into this sin, let us heartily repent for that which is past, and not continue in it by adding unto unlawful swearing, unlawful performance; following herein the example of David, 3who reversed his sinful oath when by Abigail he was convinced of the unlawfulness thereof.
And these are the oathes which being vnlawfull doe not binde the conscience,1 but may lawfully bee broken, either presently when as they containe in them apparant euill at the first view, or as soone as the vnlawfulnes of them is discouered, which for a time hath been hidden from vs. Yea we not only may, as being permitted, but ought, as being required, breake all such oathes, as binde vs to that which is wicked and vnlawfull. According to that:2