A20760:505
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.
The second cause of just anger is, when injury is unjustly offered unto our selves:1 for by the law of God we are bound to seek the preservation of our own good name and state: and therefore when either of them is violated or impeached, we may justly use the aide of this holy anger in defending our selves & repelling injury, yea also in taking such revenge as is fit in respect of our callings: that is by unsheathing the Sword of justice, if it be committed into our hands, or by seeking the help of the Magistrate, if our private estate will not admit us to be our own carvers. Many examples might be brought to clear this point if it were necessary. Though Moses were the meekest man living, yet when he was contumeliously abused by Corah and his companions, it is said he waxed very angry,2 and prayed unto the Lord that he should not respect their offerings Num. 16.15. though the Apostle Paul were of more then an admirable patience, yet being unjustly smitten by the commandment of the high Priest, he showeth his anger by a sharp reproof.3 Act. 23.2 yea our Saviour Christ the lively picture of true patience, when contrary to all justice he was stricken by the high Priests servant, he showeth himself displeased by his reprehension;4 though at that time he offered himself as it were to suffer all contumelious injuries which pride assisted with malice could imagine or impose.
The second cause of iust anger is, when iniurie is vniustly offered vnto our selues:1 for by the law of God we are bound to seeke the preseruation of our owne good name and state: and therfore when either of them is violated or impeached, we may iustly vse the aide of this holy anger in defending our selues & repelling iniurie, yea also in taking such reuenge as is fit in respect of our callings: that is by vnsheathing the Sword of iustice, if it be committed into our hands, or by seeking the help of the Magistrate, if our priuate estate will not admit vs to be our own caruers. Many examples might be brought to cleare this point if it were necessary. Though Moses were the meekest man liuing, yet when hee was contumeliously abused by Corah and his companions, it is said he waxed very angry,