A20760:60
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.
First,1 it is required that we swear in truth, that is, first that in our oath, our speech agree with the thing: and secondly, our mind with our speech. And contrariwise we swear unlawfully, when we fail in either of these; that is, when we swear a thing that is false, or falsely. A thing false, when as we swear an untruth, the speech disagreeing with the thing; which is done purposely or unadvisedly.
First,1 it is required yt we sweare in truth, that is, first that in our oath, our speech agree with the thing: and secondly, our minde with our speech. And contrariwise we sweare vnlawfully, when we faile in either of these; that is, whē we sweare a thing that is false, or falsely. A thing false, when as wee sweare an vntruth, the speech disagreeing with the thing; which is done purposely or vnaduisedly.
- 1§. Sect. 1. 1. We must swear in truth.§. Sect. 1. 1. VVe must sweare in truth.
Falsely, when as we swear the truth, but deceitfully and with a purpose to deceive, the heart and tongue not agreeing together, the which sin is forbidden and condemned, Levit. 19.12. and punished with Gods fearful curse,1 Zach. 5.4. Nevertheless, howsoever this be condemned as a great sin in Gods word, and abhorred as a detestable practise even amongst the ancient Heathens; yet it is justified as lawful by the Papists, both in their practise and writings; who avouch that a man may use in his oaths, equivocations, and mental reservations, wherein oftentimes the mind & tongue are opposed to one another in flat contrariety.