A20760:21
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 ceremonies used in swearing have bin divers in divers times. In Abraham's time when they took an oath they lifted up their hand towards heaven; thereby signifying that they swore by him whose throne was seated in the highest heavens. The like ceremony was used by the Angel, Dan. 12.7. So also inferiors in the same time swearing unto their superiors and Masters,1 put their hand under their thigh, by which ceremony, they signified their subjection, and that they bound themselves to perpetual servitude if they did not speak truly.2
The ceremonies vsed in swearing haue bin diuers in diuers times. In Abrahams time when they took an oath they lifted vp their hand towards heauen; thereby signifying that they swore by him whose throne was seated in the highest heauens. The like ceremonie was vsed by the Angell, Dan. 12.7. So also inferiours in the same time swearing vnto their superiours and Masters,1 put their hand vnder their thigh, by which ceremonie, they signified their subiection, and that they bound themselues to perpetuall seruitude if they did not speake truly.2
- 1Aben. Ezra.
- 2Gen. 24.2. and 47.29.
In Solomons time when as they took an oath they touched the Altar,1