A69235:117
A treatise against lying Wherein is showed what it is, the nature and causes…A treatise against lying Wherein is shevved vvhat it is, the nature and causes…
A treatise against lying Wherein is showed what it is, the nature and causes of this sin, the divers kinds of it; and that all of them are sinful, and unlawful, with the motives and means to preserve us from it, or to cure us of it. By John Downame, B. of D. and preacher of Gods Word.A treatise against lying Wherein is shevved vvhat it is, the nature and causes of this sinne, the divers kindes of it; and that all of them are sinfull, and unlawfull, with the motives and meanes to preserve us from it, or to cure us of it. By John Dovvname, B. of D. and preacher of Gods Word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Nicolas Bourne, 1636
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A TREATISE AGAINST THE SIN OF LYING. › Chapter 10A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 10
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.
CHAP. X.
Objections in defence of officious Lies, propounded and answered.
Objections in defence of officious Lyes, propounded and answered.
And thus have I fully proved that 1no lies though never so officious to God or men, may be lawfully used; the which being clearly understood and well weighed, it will be easy to answer all objections which are usually made by the Authors of them; whether they be grounded on seeming reasons, or on the examples of the faithful who have sometimes used them. Concerning the former; It is first objected, that these officious lies are lawful, because they are not against charity which is the end and sum of the Law; but they advance our neighbours good, at which we should aim in all our words and actions, and do not offend against humane societies, but rather preserve them, seeing thereby men are kept safe and freed from dangers. So the Apostle saith, that the end of the Commandment is Charity: 2and he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. I answer, If we take Charity in a general sense, it is the sum of the whole Law, as our Saviour maketh it, and includeth both all duties towards God required in the first Table, and towards our neighbours commanded in the second; in both which we are enjoined that our love should be in truth. For first, God requireth that we should