A20760:316
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 as the fornicator sinneth against his own soul, by besotting and infatuating his understanding; so also by destroying ⟨p. 153⟩it; for as the wise man saith, he that committeth whoredom with a woman, he is destitute of understanding: he that doth it, destroyeth his own soul. Pro. 6.32.1
And as the fornicator sinneth against his owne soule, by besotting and infatuating his vnderstanding; so also by destroying ⟨p. 153⟩it; for as the wise man saith, hee that committeth whoredome with a woman, hee is destitute of vnderstanding: hee that doth it, destroyeth his owne soule. Pro. 6.32.1
But as the fornicator sinneth against his several parts;1 so also against his whole person, and that both in respect of this life, and also the life to come. In respect of this life he sinneth against himself, by staining his good name with reproach and infamy: for he that committeth these sins of uncleanness, shall find a wound and dishonour, and his reproach shall never be put away, as the wise man hath told us, who approved it for true, not only by his doctrine, but also by his own example; for the excellence of his wisdom hath not to this day taken away the blemish of this folly, in his excessive multiplying his wives & concubines. The which also is continually verified in the experience of other men, who have defiled themselves with this vice; for howsoever the wound may be curable if they truly repent, and pour into it the precious balm of Christs blood; yet a scar will ever remain in their name and reputation; though God in his infinite mercy, after true conversion, casteth their sins behind his back and will not remember them, yet are they seldom forgotten amongst men.