A20760:92
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.
Eighthly,1 let us call to mind the number numberless of Gods infinite mercies, both in our creation, preservation, and redemption, and think with our selves what a foul shame it is for us, thus to offend against this majesty, which we have found so merciful and gracious, especially by this sin, which as it is unto him most odious, in that it robbeth him of his glory, which is most dear unto him; so it bringeth no appearance of good unto us; for whereas other sins ⟨p. 32⟩have their several baits to allure us, some the bait of profit, some of honour, some of pleasure; this sin of vain swearing is destitute of them all, for vain oaths are in vain, and bring no profit but loss, even the loss of Gods favour, of a good conscience, the assurance of salvation, and of our credit and reputation amongst the faithful, nor any pleasure and delight, unless a man should (like the devil himself) take a hellish pleasure in acting sin & despiting God; but contrariwise horror of mind, and the torments of an evil conscience, nor any credit and esteem, but rather brand the swearer with the black mark of a profane person. Seeing then if God had required a great matter at our hands, we should have been ready in regard of his boundless and endless mercies to have done it: how much more should we for his sake, forsake and detest this sin of vain swearing, which hath in it not so much as any respect of the least worldly benefit? He hath bestowed upon us whatsoever good things we enjoy, and will we not at his request part with this sin, which is not only unprofitable, but hurtful? He is so bounteous that he hath not spared to give unto us his only begotten and dearly beloved Son, in whom he was delighted and well pleased, and that to the death even the bitter and cursed death of the cross: and shall we be so wickedly ungrateful, that we will not at his suit, part with a sin, which hath in it no respect of good, pleasure, profit, or credit, and contrariwise is hurtful and pernicious both to our bodies and souls?
Eightly,1 let vs call to mind the number numberlesse of Gods infinite mercies, both in our creation, preseruation, and redemption, and thinke with our selues what a foule shame it is for vs, thus to offend against this maiestie, which wee haue found so mercifull and gracious, especially by this sin, which as it is vnto him most odious, in yt it robbeth him of his glorie, which is most deare vnto him; so it bringeth no appearance of good vnto vs; for whereas other sinnes