A20760:646
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.
And so often times it cometh to pass that when they arise, they put that in practise, which they have devised lying upon their pillow.
And so often times it commeth to passe that when they arise, they put that in practise, which they haue deuised lying vpon their pillow.
To prevent therefore so great an evil; if we cannot altogether repel anger, yet let us soon expel it. For though at the first it be but a small spark, yet if it be nourished it will quickly increase to a furious flame. As therefore when a house is newly set on fire, men labour earnestly, and with all speed to quench it, before it have taken hold of the main posts and great beams; otherwise it will be too late afterward, when it is increased to his full strength: so when our hearts are first set on fire with anger, we are presently to quench it with the water of the spirit, for after we are throughly inflamed, it vvill be too late to apply any remedy till the flame have spent it self.
To preuent therefore so great an euill; if wee cannot altogether repell anger, yet let vs soone expell it. For though at the first it be but a small sparke, yet if it be nourished it will quickly increase to a furious flame. As therefore when a house is newly set on fire, men labour earnestly, and with all speed to quench it, before it haue taken hold of the main postes and great beames; otherwise it will be too late afterward, when it is increased to his full strength: so when our hearts are first set on fire with anger, we are presently to quench it with the water of the spirit, for after we are throughly enflamed, it vvill be too late to apply any remedie till the flame haue spent it selfe.
1But some will say, I fall into anger many times when I never mean it, and it hath overcome me before I am aware; how therefore should I prevent that which I do not foresee, or free my self from it, seeing it violently over-ruleth me?