A20760:540
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.
for howsoever the occasions are but small, yet their sin is not small, nay their sin is therefore great, seeing the occasion which moveth them thereunto is but little, especially considering that the same parties who are fire-hot in these trifles which concern themselves, are key cold in those things which much concern Gods glory, and their own spiritual good. For I appeal unto their own consciences whether they are not provoked unto more violent anger for these trifling toys, then when they dishonour God by most grievous sin, or see him dishonoured by others, and if their consciences plead guilty, let them rather be offended with their own corruptions, then with the Physician which desireth to cure them.
for howsoeuer the occasions are but small, yet their sinne is not small, nay their sinne is therefore great, seeing the occasion which moueth them therevnto is but little, especially considering that the same parties who are fire-hot in these trifles which concerne themselues, are key cold in those things which much concerne Gods glory, and their own spirituall good. For I appeale vnto their own consciences whether they are not prouoked vnto more violent anger for these trifling toyes, then when they dishonor God by most grieuous sinne, or see him dishonoured by others, and if their consciences plead guiltie, let them rather bee offended with their owne corruptions, then with the Phisicion which desireth to cure them.
The fifth internal cause of unjust anger is curiosity,1 whereby men are tickled with a vain desire & itching appetite to see and hear all things: how their friends behave themselves in their private meetings; what their adversaries do and say behind their backs; how their servants bestow ⟨p. 30⟩themselves in every corner; whereof it cometh to pass that desiring to know all things, they know many things which displease them, and provoke them to anger, for which they may thank their vain curiosity: for if with the wise man they would think it their glory to pass by infirmities.