A20760:637
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 propound unto us the example of our Saviour Christ, the lively character and express image of his father,1 as he exhorteth us. Mat. 11.29. Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of hart, and you shall find rest to your souls. 2What this meekness was, Peter telleth us. 1 Peter 2.22. Though he were free from sin, and had no guile found in his mouth, yet when he was reviled, he reviled not again, and when he suffered he threatened not. Though in respect of his ⟨p. 69⟩infinite power, he was able not only to have threatened, but also to have utterly destroyed his enemies. If therefore Christ was so mild and patient, who was free from sin, surely much more should we be (if it were possible) who by our sins have deserved the greatest injuries, yea, eternal death.
Secondly, we are to propound vnto vs the example of our Sauiour Christ, the liuely character and expresse image of his father,1 as he exhorteth vs. Mat. 11.29. Learne of me for I am meeke and lowly of hart, and you shall finde rest to your soules. 2What this meeknesse was, Peter telleth vs. 1 Peter 2.22. Though he were free from sinne, and had no guile found in his mouth, yet when he was reuiled, he reuiled not againe, and when he suffered he threatned not. Though in respect of his ⟨p. 69⟩infinite power, he was able not onely to haue threatned, but also to haue vtterly destroyed his enimies. If therfore Christ was so milde and patient, who vvas free from sinne, surely much more should we be (if it were possible) who by our sinnes haue deserued the greatest iniuries, yea, eternall death.