A20760:285
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. III. General reasons to dissuade all men from fornication.
CHAP. III. Generall reasons to disswade all men from fornication.
TO which purpose let us in the next place propound some effectual reasons,1 which may move all to an unfeigned hatred of this sin, who have not utterly cast off all fear of God, and love of their own happiness. The first argument may be taken from Gods express commandment, whereby he hath straitly prohibited these sins of uncleanness both in the old and new testament. Generally they are all forbidden in the seventh commandment, Thou shalt not commit adultery. So Deut. 23.17.2 There shall be no whores of the daughters of Israel; neither shall there be a whorekeeper of the sons of Israel. 1. Cor. 6.18. Flee fornication, &c. Heb. 12.16. Let there be no fornicator, or profane person, as Esau. Yea so far off would the Lord have all that profess Christianity from acting of this sin, that he would not have it once named amongst them.3 Eph. 5.3. But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as it becometh Saints. And therefore if we would approve our selves to be Gods servants, we must rather yield obedience unto his will then to our own lusts; and prefer his commandment, unto whom we are obliged in the manifold bonds of our creation, preservation, and redemption, before our sinful pleasures.