A20760:402
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.
Secondly,1 when as every one attire themselves according to their place and calling, decently, and soberly, according to the example of those who are most grave, virtuous, and religious in the country, where they dwell, respect being had to their age, calling, and degree; whereas contrariwise it is both a sign and a cause of immodesty and wantonness, when this rule is not observed;2 as first when in respect of the matter it is gorgeous and costly, unbeseeming their particular calling and degree; or when in respect of the fashion it is vain and garish, unbefitting the general calling of a Christian; for pride and bravery causeth wantonness, and wantonness maketh an easy way for lust and uncleanness. Neither do those who curiously and garishly deck their bodies with costly and wanton attire, respect their own private use and contentment, but rather as it may probably be thought, they adorn themselves for the market, and set forth their beauty to the sale, betraying their chastity to him who biddeth most or best pleaseth. To this purpose Cyprian saith fitly,3 that Ornamentorum & vestium insignia, & lenocinia formarum, non nisi prostitutis & impudicis foeminis congruunt; & nullarum fere preciosior cultus quàm quarum pudor ⟨p. 203⟩vilis est: Gorgeous and garish attire, and adulterate beauty become none but harlots, who set themselves forth to the sale; neither do any put on more precious apparel, then they who most basely value their chastity and honesty.
Secondly,1 when as euerie one attire themselues according to their place and calling, decently, and soberly, according to the example of those who are most graue, vertuous, and religious in the countrie, where they dwell, respect being had to their age, calling, and degree; whereas contrariwise it is both a signe and a cause of immodesty and wantonnesse, when this rule is not obserued;2 as first when in respect of the matter it is gorgious and costly, vnbeseeming their particular calling and degree; or when in respect of the fashion it is vaine and garish, vnbefitting the generall calling of a Christian; for pride and brauerie causeth wantonnesse, and wantonnesse maketh an easie way for lust and vncleannesse. Neither doe those who curiously and garishly decke their bodies with costly and wanton attire, respect their owne priuate vse and contentment, but rather as it may probably bee thought, they adorne themselues for the market, and set forth their beautie to the sale, betraying their chastitie to him who biddeth most or best pleaseth. To this purpose Cyprian saith fitly,