A20760:88
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.
Moreover it is an undoubted badge, and infallible note of a profane person who maketh conscience of no sin, ⟨p. 30⟩but would (if he might with as little danger or discredit do it) commit any manner of wickedness. And hence it is, that as Solomon maketh it a true note of a faithful man, to have a reverent respect of an oath; so he pinneth it as a badge upon the wicked mans sleeve,1 that he maketh no conscience of customable swearing. For as he parallelleth and opposeth the wicked to the just, the pure to the polluted, the sinner to the good man: so likewise, the usual swearer to him that feareth an oath. The reason is manifest, for if neither Gods love, mercy, goodness, nor the innumerable benefits which he hath multiplied on them, can restrain them from this vain and unprofitable sin, wherein there is no respect, so much as of any worldly good; then we may undoubtedly conclude, that were it not for fear of humane laws, they would if their lusts moved them, as easily and readily commit adultery, theft, or any other capital sin, which have the worldly baits of pleasure, profit, or preferment to allure them; for he that will not stick to offend God, gratis, and for no benefit, will much more do it, when he is hired with pleasure or profit.
Moreouer it is an vndoubted badge, and infallible note of a prophane person who maketh conscience of no sinne, ⟨p. 30⟩but would (if he might with as little danger or discredit doe it) commit any manner of wickednesse. And hence it is, that as Salomon maketh it a true note of a faithfull man, to haue a reuerent respect of an oath; so he pinneth it as a badge vpon the wicked mans sleeue,1 that he maketh no conscience of customable swearing. For as he parallelleth and opposeth the wicked to the iust, the pure to the polluted, the sinner to the good man: so likwise, the vsuall swearer to him that feareth an oath. The reason is manifest, for if neither Gods loue, mercy, goodnesse, nor the innumerable benefits which hee hath multiplied on them, can restraine them from this vaine and vnprofitable sinne, wherin there is no respect, so much as of any worldly good; then we may vndoubtedly conclude, that were it not for feare of humane lawes, they would if their lusts mooued them, as easilie and readilie commit adulterie, theft, or any other capitall sinne, which haue the worldly baits of pleasure, profit, or preferment to allure them; for he that will not sticke to offend God, gratis, and for no benefit, will much more doe it, when he is hired with pleasure or profit.