A20760:388
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.
Thirdly,1 if we would preserve our bodies in purity and chastity, and not defile them with unclean lusts and filthy fornication, we must sort our selves in their company who are chaste and honest, and flee the society of such as are wanton, lascivious, and infamous, through their filthy conversation. And this is that preservative which the wise man prescribeth us, Prou. 5.8. Keep thy way far from the harlot, and come not near the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel. So the Apostle adviseth the Corinthians, not to keep company with fornicators, nor so much as to eat with them who were so reputed,2 because a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, and one man being infected with this contagious disease of uncleanness, is fit to infect a whole society, their touch and breath, their wanton behaviour, and ribald speeches being noisome and contagious. With this agreeth the counsel of the son of Sirach. 3Chap. 9.3. Meet not an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares. 4. Use not the company of a woman that is a singer and a dancer, neither hear her, lest thou be taken with her craftiness. and vers. 11. Sit not at all with another mans wife, neither lie with her upon the bed, nor banquet with her, lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire, fall into destruction. And this was that preservative which Joseph used to keep him from the contagion of his Mistresses lust, namely by fleeing speedily out of her company, when she allured him unto sin. Neither let any man presuming upon his own strength, desperately cast himself into tentation; for though he have a heart as firm and hard as iron, yet the fire of lust will work upon it, and cause it to become soft and effeminate; and though he be not overcome, yet by frequenting such company, a man shall bring a blot and stain ⟨p. 195⟩upon his good name; for as the candle sticking upon the white wall, though it doth not burn it, yet it blacketh it with soot and smoke; so, howsoever this polluted society doth not inflame us with this fire of lust, yet it blemisheth a mans credit and reputation.