A20760:651
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.
But let us see the means how we may subdue anger after it hath given the assault.1 The first means is by withdrawing the food from it, wherewith it is nourished: for as the greatest fire if new matter be not supplied vvill of it self go out: so the most furious anger vvill soon be mitigated, if it be not continually nourished with a new supply of matter.
But let vs see the meanes how vve may subdue anger after it hath giuen the assault.1 The first meanes is by withdrawing the food from it, vvherewith it is nourished: for as the greatest fire if new matter be not supplyed vvill of it selfe goe out: so the most furious anger vvill soone be mitigated, if it bee not continually nourished vvith a nevv supply of matter.
- 1Sect. 3. The first means to withdraw the food thereofSect. 3. The first means to withdraw the food therof
The chief nourishment whereby anger is nourished and increased, is multiplying of words,1 for though the injury at the first be small, yet if either it be aggravated by him that suffereth it, or defended by him that offereth it, it incenseth men to great anger. Well therefore in this respect may words be said to be but wind; for as nothing sooner then wind causeth a small spark to burst out into a furious flame: so nothing sooner doth cause a small spark of anger increase to a raging flame of revenge, then the wind of words. We are not therefore to imagine with some, that we can disgorge our stomachs of anger by vomiting our spleen in bitter words; for they do not only in their own nature whet and sharpen our own affections, but also provoke the other, with whom we are offended to requite us ⟨p. 74⟩