A39678:174
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion
The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native country, and the souls of men.The reasonableness of personal reformation, and the necessity of conversion; the true methods of making all men happy in this world, and in the world to come Seasonably discoursed, and earnestly pressed upon this licentious age. By J.F. a sincere lover of his native countrey, and the souls of men.
London: printed for Thomas Cockerill, 1691
THE REASONABLENESS OF Personal Reformation, › Chapter 3 › Section 6
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.
SECT. VI.
To begin with the first Plea; You say, you would not swear as you do, could you gain credit to your words without it. Weigh this question in the upright balance of thine own Reason, whether any wise or sober man in the world, will find himself ever the more obliged to believe what you say, by the addition of blasphemou• Oaths and Imprecations, to your plain and simple Affirmations and Negations. I cannot think that you your selves would give the more credit to any man that shall profess his sincerity to you, by finding him in that his very Profession false and treacherous to his God. Say, Reason, dost not thou take this for a sure truth, That he who makes no conscience of being true to God, will never make much conscience of being false to men? For what is that which gives any man's words reputation among wise and sober men, but the supposition of his integrity and conscientious fear of his deceit ⟨p. 42⟩and guile? Take away that, and with it you take away the credibility of all his Reports and Affirmations.
To begin with the first Plea; You say, you would not swear as you do, could you gain credit to your words without it. Weigh this question in the upright balance of thine own Reason, whether any wise or sober man in the world, will find himself ever the more obliged to believe what you say, by the addition of blasphemou• Oaths and Imprecations, to your plain and simple Affirmations and Negations. I cannot think that you your selves would give the more credit to any man that shall prosess his sincerity to you, by finding him in that his very Profession false and treacherous to his God. Say, Reason, dost not thou take this for a sure truth, That he who makes no conscience of being true to God, will never make much conscience of being false to men? For what is that which gives any man's words reputation among wise and sober men, but the supposition of his integrity and consciencious fear of his deceit