A69235:123
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.
Thirdly, it is objected, that an officious lye cometh not under the definition of a lye, seeing he 1that useth it hath no love to lying nor delight in it, neither is it his mind or desire to deceive or hurt, but to do good and benefit his neighbour. I answer, that it is a lye to speak an untruth contrary to that which we know and conceive in our mind, whether we love and will it with delight, or dislike and loath it; or whether it deceive and hurt our neighbour, or delight and benefit him. For though we do not absolutely will it, yet we do conditionally and accidentally, that we may attain unto our end. And though we do not deceive our neighbour to the hurt of his person, or the hinderance of his estate, yet we deceive him by misleading his mind and misinforming his judgement, causing him to fall into error, and to embrace falsehood in the stead of truth. Besides truth it self is violated, whilst it is dis-throned, and untruth which is opposite unto it, is set up in its place. But hereby we do most of all deceive and hurt our selves, whilst by sinning to benefit our neighbour in his corporal and temporal estate, we endanger our souls to everlasting perdition. And whereas it may be objected, that it is no sin nor breach of Gods Law, which only forbiddeth such untruths as are against, & not for the good of our neighbours: to this I have before fully answered, and therefore need not here to insist further on it.
Thirdly, it is objected, that an officious lye commeth not under the definition of a lye, seeing he 1that useth it hath no love to lying nor delight in it, neither is it his minde or desire to deceive or hurt, but to doe good and benefit his neighbour. I answere, that it is a lye to speake an untruth contrary to that which we know and conceive in our mind, whether we love and will it with delight, or dislike and loath it; or whether it deceiue and hurt our neighbour, or delight and benefit him. For though we doe not absolutely will it, yet wee doe conditionally and accidentally, that we may attain unto our end. And though wee doe not deceive our neighbour to the hurt of his person, or the hinderance of his estate, yet wee deceive him by misleading his minde and misinforming his judgement, causing him to fall into errour, and to imbrace falsehood in the stead of truth. Besides truth it selfe is violated, whilst it is dis-throned, and untruth which is opposite unto it, is set up in its place. But hereby wee doe most of all deceive and hurt our selves, whilest by sinning to benefit our neighbour in his corporall and temporall estate, wee indanger our soules to everlasting perdition. And whereas it may be objected, that it is no sinne nor breach of Gods Law, which onely forbiddeth such untruths as are against, & not for the good of our neighbours: to this I have before fully answered, and therefore need not here to insist further on it.