A20760:99
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.
so when the Lord commandeth and commendeth unto us a lawful oath, that hereby his name may be glorified, the truth cleared and defended, and we discerned from Heathens, Pagans, and all manner of idolaters; he doth not approve of vain swearing, for in his law he hath absolutely condemned this taking of his name in vain, but that we swear in that manner which he hath prescribed, in truth, righteousness, and judgement: that is, for confirming of a necessary truth, which can by no other lawful means be cleared, and not upon every vain and trifling occasion; with fear and reverence of Gods Majesty, as being in his presence, and not in a swaggering humour, impiously and irreligiously aiming in our oaths neither at Gods glory, nor the good of men.
so when the Lord commandeth and commendeth vnto vs a lawfull oath, that hereby his name may be glorified, the truth cleered and defended, and we discerned from Heathens, Pagans, and all manner of idolaters; he doth not approue of vaine swearing, for in his law he hath absolutely condemned this taking of his name in vaine, but that wee sweare in that manner which hee hath prescribed, in truth, righteousnes, and iudgement: that is, for confirming of a necessarie truth, which cā by no other lawful means be cleered, and not vpon euery vaine and trifling occasion; with feare and reuerence of Gods Maiestie, as being in his presence, and not in a swaggering humour, impiously and irreligiously aiming in our othes neither at Gods glory, nor ye good of men.
Others there are who are not come to that audacious impudency, to defend their vain swearing as lawful,1 and yet nevertheless if they be taxed and reproved for it, will not stick to pretend many excuses, why either they cannot or will not leave it. Some allege for their excuse, that they have been inured to such a naughty custom of swearing, that howsoever they disallow it in themselves, yet they fall into it at unawares, and can by no means give it over. But did they ever indeed condemn it as a sin, and themselves for falling into it? Were they ever seriously and soundly grieved at their hearts, because thereby they have displeased and dishonoured God? Do they loth and hate this wicked custom, and earnestly labour to wean themselves from it? Alas their consciences tell them that they do nothing less; but either that they carelessly neglect to set a watch before their lips that they may not thus offend, or that what show soever they