A20760:512
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.
Others under pretence of a mild or patient nature, are content to hear God dishonoured, his servants scorned, & all religion disgraced; but cursed be such mildness as causeth us to betray the glory of God and his truth, by holding our peace and winking at the offenders. These men who are so mild and modest in defending Gods cause that they are ready to blush if they but in a word show their dislike of sin, as though they had done that whereof they might be ashamed, will blush and swell for anger if their own credit be but touched, or their reputation suffer any disparagement; and whence doth this proceed but from the over much love of themselves, and over little love of God? whence is this bastard mildness but from pride, the mother of evil, which causeth them to seek the praise of humanity and courtesy by betraying Gods glory?
Others vnder pretence of a milde or patient nature, are content to heare God dishonoured, his seruants scorned, & all religion disgraced; but cursed be such mildenesse as causeth vs to betray the glory of God and his truth, by holding our peace and wincking at the offenders. These men who are so milde and modest in defending Gods cause that they are readie to blush if they but in a word shew their dislike of sinne, as though they had done that whereof they might be ashamed, will blush and swell for anger if their owne credit be but touched, or their reputation suffer any disparagement; and whence doth this proceed but from the ouer much loue of themselues, and ouer little loue of God? whence is this bastard mildnesse but from pride, the mother of euill, which causeth them to seeke the prayse of humanitie and curtesie by betraying Gods glory?
The second thing required in the manner,1 is that we observe Christian modesty and charity, in abstaining from malicious and wicked speeches, or unjust and spiteful ⟨p. 17⟩actions in expressing our anger: and to this purpose we are always to remember of what spirit we are; for undoubtedly how just so ever our cause be, if we defend it with spiteful and bitter speeches it is not the spirit of God which speaketh in us.