A20760:553
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.
Now if we would know how to discern when our anger is immoderate, it is easily known by the fruits thereof. As first, when it provoketh us to utter words dishonourable to God, either by profane blaspheming of his holy name, or wicked cursing and imprecations; whereby we desire that he should be the executioner of our malice; or opprobrious to our neighbours, as when our anger bursteth out into bitter and reviling speeches tending only to his disgrace. An example whereof we have in Shimei, 2. Sam. 16.5: who reproving David for his sins, useth such gall and bitterness, that it clearly appeareth his anger proceeded not from ⟨p. 36⟩the hatred of his sin, but rather of his person.
Now if we would know how to discerne when our anger is immoderate, it is easilie knowne by the fruites thereof. As first, when it prouoketh vs to vtter words dishonorable to God, either by prophane blaspheming of his holy name, or wicked cursing and imprecations; whereby wee desire that he should be the executioner of our malice; or opprobrious to our neighbours, as when our anger bursteth out into bitter and reuiling speeches tending onely to his disgrace. An example whereof wee haue in Shemei, 2. Sam. 16.5: who reprouing Dauid for his sinnes, vseth such gall and bitternes, that it cleerely appeareth his anger proceeded not from ⟨p. 36⟩the hatred of his sinne, but rather of his person.
Secondly,1 when we have no regard of any decorum or order, either in respect of our selves, or those with whom we are angry. Not in respect of our selves, as when by anger we are provoked to take revenge being but private men, whereas revenge belongeth only to God, and to the Magistrate who is the Lords deputy,