A20760:86
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.
Thirdly, we are to abhor this vain and profane swearing,1 because it doth smother and choke in us the chief graces of Gods spirit. As for example, invocation and prayer; for with what face can we presume in the time of want and affliction, to call upon that name for help, which we have so often abused by profane swearing? So also faith in Christs merits; for how can we believe that Christs body was crucified for us, which we so often and despitefully crucify unto our selves afresh, or that his blood shall wash away our sins, which by impious and profane swearing we have so often trampled under our feet as an unholy thing, making but a mock of it? It overthroweth also our affiance in Christ, both in this life, and at the day of judgement; for how can we trust in him as our Saviour, whom we daily despite as though he were our enemy? how can we when we are cited before the tribunal of Christ, hold up our heads with any assurance of favour, when as our consciences shall tell us, that we have seldom remembered him, but to blaspheme him, and have more often named him in our oaths, then in our prayers?
Thirdly, we are to abhorre this vaine and prophane swearing,1 because it doth smother and choake in vs the chiefe graces of Gods spirit. As for example, inuocation and prayer; for with what face can we presume in the time of want and affliction, to call vpon that name for helpe, which wee haue so often abused by prophane swearing? So also faith in Christs merits; for how can wee beleeue that Christs body was crucified for vs, which we so often and despitefully crucifie vnto our selues afresh, or that his blood shall wash away our sinnes, which by impious and prophane swearing wee haue so often trampled vnder our feete as an vnholy thing, making but a mocke of it? It ouerthroweth also our affiance in Christ, both in this life, and at the day of iudgement; for how can wee trust in him as our Sauiour, whom we daylie despite as though he were our enemie? how can wee when we are cited before the tribunall of Christ, hold vp our heades with any assurance of fauour, when as our consciences shall tell vs, that we haue seldome remembred him, but to blaspheme him, and haue more often named him in our oathes, then in our prayers?
- 1§. Sect. 4. 3. Because vain swearing doth smother the chief graces of Gods spirit.