A39678:188
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 8
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.
Whether there be any weight in this Apology for Swearing, will quickly appear, now it is to be laid in the balance of true Reason.
Whether there be any weight in this Apology for Swearing, will quickly appear, now it is to be laid in the ballance of true Reason.
1. And first of all, let us consider what makes a true Gentleman, and whether profane Swearing have any place in his true Character and Description. A Gentleman is one that springs from famous and renowned Ancestors, and degenerates not from their Probity and Honour.†
1. And first of all, let us consider what makes a true Gentleman, and whether prophane Swearing have any place in his true Character and Description. A Gentleman is one that springs from famous and renowned Ancestors, and degenerates not from their Probity and Honour.†
- †Generosus, nobilis, ex praeclaro genere ortus, qui à genere non de••ectit.
This is the man whom the Latins call Generosus, and we a Gentleman. Because we suppose a man of such an Extraction and Education more Gentle, affable, and condescending to Inferiors, and to keep a stricter government over his Tongue and Passions, than rude Plebeians are wont to do. Upon this account the Poet rightly observes, Quo major est quisquis, magis est placabilis ira, Et Faciles motus mens generosa capit. Men of Genteel Extraction and Education, are Persons whose Passions are supposed to move more gently than other mens: And if at any time they be moved disorderly, yet are they more placable, and sooner reduced, than those of sordid and baser Spirits are.