A20760:571
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.
Secondly, we are to consider, that this hastiness to anger is a foolish vice; for as it always beginneth with rashness, so it most commonly endeth with repentance; for after the hasty man hath injured his neighbour by unadvised words or injurious deeds, then he showeth himself sorry for it; and so like a foolish Surgeon, first he breaketh his head and after gives him a plaster, which though it heal the wound, yet oftentimes it leaves a scar.
Secondly, we are to consider, that this hastines to anger is a foolish vice; for as it alwaies beginneth with rashnesse, so it most commonly endeth with repentance; for after the hastie man hath iniured his neighbour by vnaduised words or iniurious deeds, then he sheweth himselfe sorie for it; and so like a foolish Surgeon, first he breaketh his head and after giues him a plaster, which though it heale the wound, yet oftentimes it leaues a scarre.
And yet I speak of the least evils which accompany rash anger; for how many have there been who in their fury have revealed their friends secrets, more deer unto them then their own lives? Yea, how many through this rash anger have violated the persons, nay murdered them with whom they were linked in the straitest bond of friendship? and so have done that in a moment, which they have with bitterness repented the whole course of their lives; then the which, no greater folly can be committed. And therefore it is well said of the wise man, Prou. 14.17.1 He that is hasty to anger committeth folly: and vers. 29. He that is slow to anger is of great wisdom; but he that is of an hasty mind, exalteth folly. And lest we should think that he seldom thus offendeth, he telleth us,2 Prou. 29.22. that a furious man aboundeth in transgression.