A20760:74
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.
Nor yet doth this sin reign only amongst the youth of this City, who are in the heat of their blood, and (in respect of that licentiousness which this age challengeth unto it self) in the height of sin; but it beareth sway also amongst our grave citizens, whose old years and grey heads, should teach them more wisdom; amongst householders, masters, and parents, who as they should be patterns of piety unto their family, and (in respect that they are Gods lieutenants, and as it were petty Kings in their own house) punishers of all manner of impiety; they contrariwise become presidents and patrons, as of all other vices, so especially of swearing; and by their bad example, both teach and encourage their children and servants in this impiety.
Nor yet doth this sinne raigne onely amongst the youth of this Citie, who are in the heate of their blood, and (in respect of that licentiousnesse which this age challengeth vnto it selfe) in the height of sinne; but it beareth sway also amongst our graue citizens, whose old yeeres and gray heads, should teach them more wisedome; amongst housholders, masters, and parents, who as they should bee paternes of pietie vnto their familie, and (in respect that they are Gods lieutenants, and as it were pettie Kings in their owne house) punishers of all manner of impietie; they contrariwise become presidents and patrons, as of all other vices, so especially of swearing; and by their bad example, both teach and incourage their children and seruants in this impietie.
And hence it is,1 that their Apprentices, who heretofore were brought up by a severer discipline, in modesty and sobriety, are now ready to swagger and swear like graceless ruffians: yea even their young children following their example, learn their oaths with their language, and as soon as they are come to the use of speech, abuse their tongues to blasphemous swearing, which were given them to be the instruments of Gods praise. No marvel therefore seeing they begin so young, if they grow to be exquisite swearers when they come to elder age; neither is it any wonder if they ripen in wickedness faster then they ripen in years, seeing such a foundation of impiety is laid in their tender youth. But let such parents and masters know, that Gods heavy curse lieth upon them for the wicked education of their youth, that their blood shall be required at their hands, at the dreadful day of judgement, seeing they have perverted and destroyed them, by their bad example and loose government; in which respect, much better were it for them, that a millstone were tied about their necks and they cast into the sea, then that they should thus offend