A69235:132
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 11A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 11
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.
yet when we are necessarily put to speak of either, we must not out of a sinful modesty lye and betray the truth, but ingenuously speak what we truly conceive, neither denying or too much extenuating Gods gifts and graces in us, nor accusing our selves of those sins, imperfections and corruptions of which we know that we are as clear as other of Gods servants; yea if we be unjustly suspected and accused of them, we are bound in conscience to excuse and defend our selves and to manifest what we can our own innocency. For first Gods Law requireth that we should give a true testimony of our selves, as well as of others, and use all good means to preserve our own fame and good name, as well as our neighbours. Secondly, by denying Gods ⟨p. 106⟩gifts and graces in us, we ungratefully dishonour him, not acknowledging his bounty and goodness towards us, and refusing to ascribe unto him the Glory of these gifts whereof he is the Author. Thirdly, we put out these lights which were given 1us to this end, that shining before men, they might take occasion thereby to glorify our Heavenly Father. Fourthly, we wrong our neighbours by working in their minds a false opinion, and by causing them unjustly to sleight and disesteem us, when as they think that our gifts and good parts are much lesser, and our faults and sins far greater than in truth they are; seeing men for the most part speak of themselves, rather better than worse than they deserve. And secondly, whilst we suppress, deny or extenuate our virtues, and aggravate our failings and corruptions, we neglect this Christian duty of edifying one another by our good example, and contrariwise make our selves scandalous and offensive. And finally, we wrong our own persons; for if it be an injury to belie another, it is no less if we belie our selves; and if it be an unjust and uncharitable act to rob our neighbours of their good name, by false extenuations of the good things which are in them, or aggravations of their faults and failings, how can it be less sinful if we use the same means to spoil our selves of this precious jewel?
yet when wee are necessarily put to speake of either, we must not out of a sinnefull modesty lye and betray the truth, but ingenuously speake what wee truely conceive, neither denying or too much extenuating Gods gifts and graces in us, nor accusing our selves of those sinnes, imperfections and corruptions of which we know that wee are as cleare as other of Gods servants; yea if we be unjustly suspected and accused of them, we are bound in conscience to excuse and defend our selves and to manifest what we can our owne innocency. For first Gods Law requireth that wee should give a true testimony of our selves, as well as of others, and use all good means to preserve our owne fame and good name, as well as our neighbours. Secondly, by denying Gods