A20760:68
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.
Notwithstanding,1 howsoever the Lord hath straitly forbidden and condemned this sin, and though the Heathens themselves made some conscience of it, yet this horrible profanation of Gods holy name so exceedingly reigneth in our times, even among those who profess Christianity, that by reason of these vain oaths and impious blasphemies, the land mourneth, being oppressed with the heavy burden of this sin, and Gods fearful judgements which usually accompany it,2 as the Prophet Jeremiah complaineth of his times. Neither hath this graceless vice of profaning Gods name, corrupted some few persons in this our country, but hath overspread all states and conditions of men. Our Magistrates who should restrain men from this sin, by their laws, examples, and punishments, make no laws against swearing, lest they should prepare a net to catch themselves; nor inflict any punishments upon offenders in this kind, because their own consciences are guilty of the same sins; or to speak the best, because such is the multitude of blasphemers, that they think it vain to make laws, seeing there is no likelihood of execution, there being not enow innocent to punish the offenders. And howsoever they severely punish any reproachful speeches uttered against themselves, yet when God is blasphemed they wink at it, and leave the revenge wholly to himself, saying in their hearts, as Joash said of the Idol Baal, Judg. 6.31.3 Why should we contend in Gods cause? if he be God let him plead for himself, against those who blaspheme his name. But let such know that the Lord will surely take them at their word; and howsoever through his patience he suffereth long, yet in the end he will severely punish such Magistrates, as make their own evil practise a pernicious president to the people; and such also who having authority to punish this sin, do carry the sword in vain, never drawing it out against these impious swearers, no nor so much as touching them with the scabbard.
Notwithstanding,1 howsoeuer the Lord hath straitly forbidden and condemned this sinne, and though the Heathens themselues made some conscience of it, yet this horrible prophanation of Gods holie name so exceedingly raigneth in our times, euen among those who professe Christianitie, that by reason of these vaine oathes and impious blasphemies, the land mourneth, being oppressed with the heauie burthen of this sinne, and Gods fearefull iudgements which vsually accompanie it,