A69235:161
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 13A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 13
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.
Although I think that our great gallants do not take the word so much to heart, because their truth is questioned and impeached (for then they would hate the vice it self as much as the name) as because it toucheth them in their valour and courage, seeing lying is a base and cowardly vice, into which men oftentimes fall out of mere fear, and because they dare not speak or stand to the truth.
Although I thinke that our great gallants doe not take the word so much to heart, because their truth is questioned and impeached (for then they would hate the vice it selfe as much as the name) as because it toucheth them in their valour and courage, seeing lying is a base and cowardly vice, into which men oftentimes fall out of meere feare, and because they dare not speake or stand to the truth.
Fourthly, this vice of lying maketh us odious 1both to God and men. First God abhorreth liars, and hateth lies, because they are contrary to his Nature, and to his Law, and not only very sinful in themselves, but also the causes of much wickedness. And therefore Solomon numbereth it amongst those seven abominations which God abhorreth; A proud look, a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent 2blood. And again, lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but they that deal truly are his delight. And wisdom, even that eternal Word and Wisdom of the Father, his only dear Son ⟨p. 135⟩professeth that his mouth should speak truth, and that 3wickedness (that is the iniquity of lying, as the antithesis showeth) is an abomination to his lips: now how odious ought this vice to be unto us, that maketh us odious unto God? and how ought we to love and embrace Truth, which God so much loveth, according to that of Jeremiah: O Lord, are not