A69235:142
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 12A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 12
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.
And the Holy Ghost in the Hebrew tongue calleth a lye Aven, which also signifieth iniquity; implying that all lies are iniquity, and that all iniquity is after a sort included in a lye, seeing every sin is in this respect a lye, as it is committed against the Truth of God which forbiddeth it. And 1howsoever men measuring the guilt of sins by their profit and disprofit, do hang up thieves, and oftentimes laugh at liars, yea even reward them if they be skilful in their Art: yet is lying in it own nature worse than thieving, and a common liar, than a common thief; according to that of the son of Sirach: A thief is better than a man which 2is accustomed to lye, and they both shall have destruction to heritage. For theft is committed immediately against men, but a lye against God, the God of Truth, and is therefore aggravated as being committed against a much more excellent Object. Theft spoileth us of our worldly goods, and hurteth our estates, but lying exceedeth theft in theft, robbing us of a much more excellent jewel, even spiritual truth, which is the riches and ornament of the mind. Yea it depriveth both the liar and him that hearkeneth unto lies of eternal salvation, seeing in this respect the thief only hurteth himself, but cannot hinder him from the fruition of blessedness whom he robbeth, though he taketh from him his earthly riches. Again, the Law of God appointed ⟨p. 116⟩that the thief should make satisfaction to him whom he had wronged, by restoring unto him sour or five fold, and so by recompense made the fault in respect of men curable; but no satisfaction is appointed to be made unto those who are wronged by lying, there being for it no valuable recompense, seeing they are robbed of a Jewell 3above all price. Finally, lying is worse than stealing as being the cause of it, and the chief encouragement which setteth the thief on work to commit his sin: for if men were resolved to speak nothing but truth, they would never steal, seeing when they are examined, they must confess their offence, and receive deserved punishment; but because they hope to escape by hiding their sin with lies, therefore they are emboldened to the committing of it. And yet I have said nothing of the malignity of this sin and sickness of the soul, more than is in theft, whereby it becometh more contagious, infecting others with its poison;