A20760:148
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.
Ninthly,1 it may be demanded, if all lawful oaths made to all manner of persons do bind the conscience, and therefore are to be performed? The Papists affirm and maintain we are not to keep faith with heretics; and therefore oaths made to them are of no force to bind the conscience. But if this opinion were received,2 it would overthrow all contracts and intercourse of dealing between nation and nation, and make void and frustrate all covenants, and conclusions of truce or peace. It would also give public scandal, and cause those who are without to abhor our religion, as maintaining fraud and perfidious treachery; and finally, Gods name should be abused and dishonoured, which is called upon to countenance falsehood and breach of promise. We therefore maintain and hold that all lawful oaths do bind the conscience, unto whomsoever they are made without respect of persons, either friend or enemy, true professor or heretic, Christian or Turk, Protestant or Papist. Having herein for our examples the holy Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who swore and performed their oaths made to idolatrous Infidels, Abimilech, Phicol and Laban. And consequently that they who break such promises confirmed by oath, are perjured persons.
Ninthly,1 it may bee demanded, if all lawfull oathes made to all manner of persons doe binde the conscience, and therefore are to be performed? The Papists affirme and maintaine we are not to keepe faith with heretiques; and therfore othes made to them are of no force to binde the conscience. But if this opinion were receiued,2 it would ouerthrow all contracts and intercourse of dealing betweene nation and nation, and make voide and frustrate all couenants, and conclusions of truce or peace. It would also giue publike scandall, and cause those who are without to abhorre our religion, as maintaining fraud and perfidious trecherie; and finally, Gods name should be abused and dishonoured, which is called vpon to countenance falsehood and breach of promise. We therefore maintaine and hold that all lawfull oathes doe bind the conscience, vnto whomsoeuer they are made without respect of persons, either friend or enemie, true professor or heretique, Christian or Turke, Protestant or Papist. Hauing herein for our examples the holie Patriarkes, Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, who swore and performed their oathes made to idolatrous Infidels, Abimilech, Phicol and Laban. And consequently that they who breake such promises confirmed by oath, are periured persons.