A20760:545
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 so much for the internal causes of unjust anger:1 now we are to speak of the external; by which I understand all outward occasions which are unjustly taken, as first, when we are angry with our neighbour for his virtuous actions. For some there are whose malignant eyes do abhor nothing more then the bright beams of virtue, ⟨p. 32⟩either because they think that the beauty of others perfection, causeth the deformity of their vices to seem more ugly, & that their degenerated natures are become like unto Satan's,2 who hateth virtue because it is virtue. An example hereof we have in Cain, whose anger was kindled against his brother, because he was accepted in Gods sight, as being more holy then himself.3 Gen. 4.5. As also in Saul who was incensed against Jonathan, for his virtuous demeanour towards David. 1. Sam. 20.30.4 In Asa who was offended with the Prophet the Ambassador of the Lord, for delivering faithfully that embassy which the Lord had put in his mouth,5 2. Chron. 16.10. In Nebuchadnezzar who was enraged against the three Children because they refused to commit Idolatry, Dan. 3.13. and in the Jews who were filled with wrath because our Saviour Christ made a true exposition of the Scriptures, and rightly applied it unto them,6 Luk. 4.28. and too many examples we have in these days, of such as cannot with any patience endure to hear their duties taught them, and their vices publicly reproved out of Gods word, or yet any private admonition, but they are ready (like those that are in a raging fit of a burning ague) to despite the Physician that endeavoureth to cure them. So that in our times he is like to incur more anger yea, and danger also that reproveth sin, then he that committeth sin; he that reprehendeth Atheism and profaneness, then he that liveth in them. Yea, so desperate is the disease of this declining age, surfeited with sin, that the Physician may sooner incur hurt and damage by the fury of his patient, then the patient help and health by the skill of the most exquisite Physician.