A20760:528
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.
But the dangerousness of this affection will more evidently appear if we consider the violence thereof:1 for there is scarce any other affection so strong which it doth not easily subdue. Love is said to be stronger then death, Can. 8.6. and yet anger if it be once admitted easily overcometh it,2 for there was never any love so hearty and entire but anger hath subdued it. The Father in his anger forgetteth his love to his child, and the child to his father, the husband to his wife, the wife to her husband, and causeth them in stead of duties of love to bring forth the fruits of hatred: yea it maketh a man to forget the love of himself, as appeareth by those men who to satisfy their anger, violently thrust themselves into imminent dangers of death. Nay, it maketh a man offer raging violence against such a friend as is more dear to him then his own life, as it is evident in the example of Alexander, who in his anger slew his friend Clitus, whom he loved so entirely that ⟨p. 24⟩he needs would have revenged his murder by putting himself to a wilful death. As therefore we cannot discern the heat of the Sun, when we are near unto a scorching fire, so the heavenly heat of divine love is not felt, if the furious flame of anger be kindled in our harts. Covetousness also is a most violent and strong vice, which nothing almost can vanquish but death, and they who are possessed therewith do love their riches better then their own lives, as we may fee in their example, who being deprived of them murder themselves; yea they are more dear unto them then the salvation of their own souls, as may appear by those who fall into outrageous sins, whereby they plunge their souls headlong into hell, that they may get momentary riches; & by them also who despise the means of their salvation in comparison of a small worldly trifle: and yet anger being once admitted doth overcome covetousness, as it is evident in the example of them, who to satisfy their furious anger by the death of their enemy, are content to forfeit their goods though they be never so covetous; besides the double hazard of their lives which they incur, both in their private quarrel, and in satisfying by deserved punishment public justice.
But the dangerousnes of this affection wil more euidently appeare if we consider the violence therof: