A20760:504
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 the like abuse there is of our anger towards others: men are soon stirred up to choler against their neighbours, upon every slight occasion and show of injury offered to themselves, though it be but an unkind word, or a mistaken speech, or but a strange countenance, but when God is dishonoured, his name blasphemed, his religion derided his Sabbaths profaned, his whole worship and service contemned, they can look upon the offenders with a smiling countenance and so confirm them in their sin, or if they be angry, they will either not be seen in it at all, or else they will show it after so cold a manner that it shall ⟨p. 13⟩hardly be discerned. Whereas if there be the least injury offered to themselves, they can contain their fury in no limits, till it be satisfied with revenge even unto blood. But if we would approve our selves to be Gods Children and servants, we must be as truly zealous of his honour and glory as of our own credit and reputation.
And the like abuse there is of our anger towards others: men are soone stirred vp to choller against their neighbours, vpon euery slight occasion and shew of iniury offered to themselues, though it be but an vnkinde word, or a mistaken speach, or but a strange countenance, but when God is dishonoured, his name blasphemed, his religion derided his Sabaths prophaned, his whole worship and seruice contemned, they can looke vpon the offenders with a smiling countenance and so confirme them in their sinne, or if they be angry, they will eyther not be seene in it at all, or else they will shew it after so cold a manner that it shall ⟨p. 13⟩hardly be discerned. Whereas if there be the least iniury offered to themselues, they can containe their fury in no limits, till it be satisfied with reuenge euen vnto bloud. But if we would approue our selues to be Gods Children and seruants, we must be as truly zealous of his honour and glory as of our owne credit and reputation.
The second cause of just anger is, when injury is unjustly offered unto our selves: