A69235:143
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.
for whereas in stealing the thief himself only sinneth, and not he that is robbed by him; in lying not only they sin who tell the lies, but all they likewise who delight to hear them, and are too credulous in believing of them.
for whereas in stealing the theefe himselfe onely sinneth, and not he that is robbed by him; in lying not onely they sinne who tell the lyes, but all they likewise who delight to heare them, and are too credulous in beleeving of them.
Yea not only the Scriptures, but even the Heathen writers, Poets and Philosophers, by the light 1of nature have in all ages condemned lying as an heinous and hateful vice. Many of whose sayings Stobaeus recordeth to this purpose: One saith that he is unhappy, who rather uses lies though seemingly 2good, than truths when he judgeth them evil. And again; certainly it is a thing intolerable to ⟨p. 117⟩tell lies. Another telleth us, that he is equally his enemy as the gates of Hell, who conceiveth one thing in his mind, and speaketh another thing with his mouth. And that Jupiter the great father 3who helpeth all, yet will not be helpful unto liars. Another persuadeth thus; tell (saith he) no lies; but speak all truths: And again, do not hide one thing in thy heart, and utter another with thy tongue. Another affirmeth, that every prudent 4and wise man hateth a lye. And the Philosopher 5(as before was showed) deriveth the Greek word signifying a lye, from another which signifieth a thing dishonest and worthy reprehension, because every lye is of this nature. Finally, Plato in many