A39678:201
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.
4. It may as easily be proved as asserted, That to make Cursing, Swearing and Blaspheming, the Badges and Characteristical marks of a true Gentleman, is the foulest blot and mark of infamy, which the malice of their Enemies can devise to put into their Escutcheons; and such an affront, as ought to be highly resented by all true Gentlemen.
4. It may as easily be proved as asserted, That to make Cursing, Swearing and Blas•heming, the Badges and Characteristical marks of a true Gentleman, is the foulest blot and mark of infamy, which the malice of their Enemies can devise to put into their Es•utcheons; and such an affront, as ought to be highly resented by all true Gentlemen.
Should the most malicious Enemy you have in the world, see an Herald to devise a mark of Infamy for your Coats of Arms, to make you ridiculous and a by-word among the people, he could never dishonour you at that rate you this way dishonour your selves.
For if Debauchery be both asserted and allow• to be the true Badge of Gentility, then your ow•• Reason will infer, that all the Ancient Epithets […] Gentility ought thereupon to be altered. An• would those Gentlemen, think you, take it well, […] have the Titles and Epithets of Ingenuous, Worth• Honourable, and Noble, changed into Cursing, Swea••ing, Damning, Blaspheming Gentlemen? You canno• but see the inconsistency of both; If therefore yo• will adopt and wear the latter, you must either cashier and renounce the former, or try to mak the former consistent with the latter, which Isure the most ingenious among you will find […] hard task to do.