A20760:259
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.
CHAP. X. Of the means whereby we may be preserved or freed from this sin of drunkenness.
CHAP. X. Of the meanes whereby we may be preserued or freed from this sin of drunkennesse.
And thus have I showed the greatness of their sin, who either themselves live in drunkenness,1 or draw others into this sin, the which being sufficient and effectual to persuade all who have but the least spark of grace to a detestation of this vice, and to a full resolution to leave and forsake it: It only now remaineth that we set down briefly some means whereby they may be enabled to master and subdue this sin, which is so wicked and abominable; and these are either general, or more proper and particular. The general means, is prayer, whereby we invocate the assistance of Gods spirit, to strengthen us in our resolution of leaving this sin; the diligent hearing of Gods word,2 which is the sword of the spirit that killeth our corruptions, and that unresistable cannon shot which battereth and beateth down the strong holds of sin. The frequent use of the Lords Supper wherein we daily renew our covenant with God, that we will forsake the devil, and all these his works of of darkness. Diligent meditation on Gods inestimable love towards us, who hath not spared to give his Son to death for us, and the innumerable benefits which together with him he hath plentifully bestowed upon us, both in temporal and spiritual things. All which if we be not too too ungrateful may restrain and wean us from all those sins which are most deer, pleasant, and profitable unto us; and much more from this sin of drunkenness, which is in no degree good and beneficial, and in many respects hurtful and pernicious both unto our souls and bodies. Furthermore, let us meditate upon the death and sufferings of Christ, whereby he hath shed his dearest blood to redeem us from these sins, both in respect of their guilt and punishment; and so shall we not, if we have any spark of grace, prefer ⟨p. 124⟩