A20760:595
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.
If superiors would use this mild and sober discretion,1 surely it would better contain inferiors in obedience, then furious anger. For whence is it that one mans look is more regarded then another's words? one mans mild admonition, then another's bitter reprehension? one mans discreet reproof, then another's continual brawling and fighting? surely from mild and well governed discretion which worketh in inferiors an awful love and son-like fear, which more strongly containeth them in obedience, and more forcibly restraineth them from committing any fault repugnant thereunto, then furious anger and rage, or the fruits thereof, continual chiding and fighting. For continual anger and severe punishment for every small fault, without admitting any excuse, doth not make inferiors sorry because they have offended, but careful and cunning in hiding and dissembling their faults, or shameless and impudent, either in denying or defending them.
If superiors would vse this milde and sober discretion,1 surelie it would better containe inferiors in obedience, then furious anger. For whence is it that one mans looke is more regarded then anothers words? one mans milde admonition, then anothers bitter reprehension? one mans discreet reproofe, then anothers continuall brawling and fighting? surely from milde and well gouerned discretion which worketh in inferiors an awfull loue and sonne-like feare, which more strongly containeth them in obedience, and more forcibly restraineth thē from committing any fault repugnant thereunto, then furious anger and rage, or the fruits thereof, continuall chiding and fighting. For continuall anger and seuere punishment for euerie small fault, without admitting any excuse, doth not make inferiors sorie because they haue offended, but carefull and cunning in hiding and dissembling their faults, or shamelesse and impudent, either in denying or defending them.
- 1The profit that followeth well governed discretion.The profit that followeth well gouerned discretion.