A20760:372
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. XVI. Of the punishment of Adultery.
CHAP. XVI. Of the punishment of Adulterie.
And thus have I showed that adultery is a grievous sin.1 The consideration whereof should be an effectual argument to restrain all men from falling into it; for if every ordinary sin deserveth Gods anger and eternal condemnation, then what fierce wrath and deep condemnation is due unto them, who make no conscience of committing these sins, which are so capital and heinous? But because many secure worldlings make light account of the heaviest burden of sin, and care little for provoking Gods wrath, so they may securely enjoy their carnal pleasures; therefore in the next place I will also show how fearfully this sin is punished, and that both in this life, and the life to come. In this life the punishment of adultery is either ordinary, or extraordinary. The ordinary punishment which by the law of God is to be inflicted, upon adulterers,2 is death it self, as appeareth, Levit. 20.10. The man that committeth adultery with another mans wife, because he hath committed adultery with his neighbours wife, the adulterer and adulteress shall die the death. 3So Deut. 22.22. If a man be found lying with a woman married to a man, then they shall dye even both twain, to wit, the man that lay with the wife, and the wife: so thou shalt put away evil from Israel. The which law was executed with the greatest severity among the people of God by his own express appointment; for whereas other crimes were not punished with death, unless the party were convicted by the direct testimony of two witnesses at the least, the Lord permitted the jealous husband to