A20760:626
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.
The second means to subdue anger, is to labour for patience. CHAP. VIII.
The second meanes to subdue anger, is to labour for patience. CHAP. VIII.
The second means to subdue anger,1 is to labour for the contrary virtue of patience and long suffering. And to this end we are first to consider that nothing happeneth unto us without Gods all seeing providence, who if we be his children will dispose of every thing for our good. Why therefore should we vex our selves with anger, seeing God will turn the injuries of men into blessings? let us rather when any wrong is offered us, which we cannot by just and lawful means avoid, say with our saviour Christ,2 John. 18.11. should not I drink of the cup which my father hath provided for me? should I be angry with the cup because the Physic is bitter? or with the hand whereby it is conveyed unto me? My heavenly father correcteth me for my good and amendment, I will not therefore be ⟨p. 66⟩angry with the rod wherewith I am beat, but rather look to the hand which inflicteth the chastisement, and I will say with David. 3Psal. 139.10. I am dumb and do not open my mouth because thou doest it. Otherwise I should commit as great folly as he who is angry with the staff wherewith he is beaten, and never regardeth the smiter, and show my self as mad as the dog, who looketh not to the caster, but wreaketh his anger by biting the stone.