A69235:174
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 14A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 14
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.
Finally, lying is contrary to Charity, which as 1the Apostle speaketh delighteth and rejoiceth in the Truth: Now Charity is the fulfilling of the whole Law, and compriseth in it all duties towards God, our neighbours and our selves: and therefore lying in this respect, as it opposeth Charity, transgresseth the whole Law of God; for first, it dishonoureth ⟨p. 146⟩God, and robbeth him of his Glory, as in those respects formerly spoken of, namely because it is contrary to Gods Nature and Truth, and transgresseth his Word and revealed Will; so also because the Liar, like the Devil, in a sort blasphemeth God in opposing his works, taking upon him to give a being to that which is not, and to make something of nothing, which is proper and peculiar to divine Omnipotency, which nevertheless is but an apish imitation, and not done in Truth; for whereas God by his Almighty Power giveth a true being to things that are not, and maketh all things of nothing; the Devil and those his children that resemble him in lying, do not by their words give a true being to things that are not, but only labour to imitate God herein as much as they are able, giving unto them a false being in the opinions of those whom they deceive with their lies, and though they are not, yet make them seem to be in show and appearance. Even as the Devil by his juggling tricks and impostures, casteth false mists before mens eyes, and maketh them believe that they see many things which they see not, and which in truth are not, whilst being unable to give a true existence to these things, he only deludeth and abuseth their fantasy. Secondly, it is contrary to true Charity in respect of our neighbours, seeing it robbeth their minds of that precious Jewell of Truth, and putteth in the place thereof (as it were) the base bugles and worthless counterfeits of lies, besides all those evils and mischiefs, of which I have formerly spoken. Finally, it is most contrary to that Charity and Love which ⟨p. 147⟩every man oweth to himself, seeing it bringeth upon a man innumerable evils, spoiling him of truth, and many other graces in this life, and depriving him of all hope to enjoy eternal blessedness, or to escape the everlasting torments of Hell fire in the life to come.
Finally, lying is contrary to Charity, which as