A20760:409
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. I. Of the occasion of this Treatise.
AS there is great friendship,1 and an inseparable league between corrupted nature, and all manner of sin whatsoever; so this inviolable amity doth no where more manifestly appear, then between it, and the sins of covetousness. Whereof it cometh to pass, that whereas other sins, either lurk in corners, as being ashamed to show themselves, or hang down the head when they are discovered and reproved, self-guiltiness taking from them all apology and excuse; these sins of covetousness are partly so covered, and hid out of the sight of the offender with carnal love, and partly so gilded over with glorious pretences, and as it were fenced in on all sides with excuses, which partiality maketh seem impregnable; that they dare vaunt themselves in open view, stand in their own defence, and with an audacious fore-head encounter all opposers; yea such sure possession do vices of this nature take of the hearts of men, and so strongly are they backed with the multitude ⟨p. 208⟩and quality of the offenders,2 who all with united forces stand up both by word and example in their defence; that commonly the reproof is made more unpardonable then the sin; and whilst the vice, though unmasked, stareth in mens faces without shame or blushing, the reprehender is discountenanced, if not persecuted and punished, and his reasons are not only rejected as weak, but also exploded as ridiculous.
AS there is great friendship,1 and an inseparable league betweene corrupted nature, and all manner of sinne whatsoeuer; so this inuiolable amitie doth no where more manifestly appeare, then betweene it, and the sinnes of couetousnesse. Wherof it commeth to passe, that whereas other sinnes, either lurke in corners, as being ashamed to shew themselues, or hang downe the head when they are discouered and reprooued, selfe-guiltinesse taking from them all apologie and excuse; these sinnes of couetousnesse are partly so couered, and hid out of the sight of the offender with carnall loue, and partly so gilded ouer with glorious pretences, and as it were fenced in on all sides with excuses, which partialitie maketh seeme impregnable; that they dare vaunt themselues in open view, stand in their owne defence, and with an audacious fore-head incounter all opposers; yea such sure possession do vices of this nature take of the hearts of men, and so strongly are they backed with the multitude