A20760:569
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.
These men in the world are said to have the best natures,1 but in truth it is far otherwise. For that nature is best which most resembleth God himself, who as he is slow to anger, so he is ready to forgive, Psalm. 103.8.9. If therefore we would in truth have good natures, we must imitate the Lord, that is, be long before we are provoked to anger, and ready to be reconciled;2 to the first we are exhorted, Jam. 1.19. Be slow to wrath; to the latter, Matth. 5.25. Agree with thine adversary quickly, and that not only when thou hast offended him, but also when he hath offered the injury unto thee, and that not once or twice, or till seven times, but unto seventy times seven times,3 as our Saviour exhorteth, Mat. 18.22.
These men in the world are said to haue the best natures,1 but in truth it is farre otherwise. For that nature is best which most resembleth God himselfe, who as he is slow to anger, so he is readie to forgiue, Psalm. 103.8.9. If therefore we would in truth haue good natures, we must imitate the Lord, that is, be long before we are prouoked to anger, and readie to be reconciled;2 to the first we are exhorted, Iam. 1.19. Be slow to wrath; to the latter, Matth. 5.25. Agree with thine aduersarie quicklie, and that not onelie when thou hast offended him, but also when he hath offered the iniurie vnto thee, and that not once or twice, or till seuen times, but vnto seuentie times seuen times,