A69235:181
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 15A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 15
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.
Hitherto I have showed the reasons which 1may move us to loathe and abhor Lying, as a pernicious Vice; and if we be inclined to this disease or already tainted with it to desire earnestly, that we may be preserved from it or cured of it; and now in the next place, if this desire by the former motives be wrought in us, it is necessary that we carefully use all good means which may strengthen us against this poisonous contagion like sovereign antidotes, or if we be already infected, may recover us out of it. Now these means either respect meditation or affection and action. First, if we would shun or leave Lying, we must often and seriously meditate on the manifold evils both of sin and punishment before spoken of, as that it is dishonourable unto God and consequently odious and hateful to his pure and perfect Nature, most injurious to our neighbours and therefore abhorred of all, and unto our selves most pernicious both in respect of our souls and bodies, in this life ⟨p. 152⟩and the life to come. For the reason why men are so apt to commit this sin, is because they so much slight it, as though it were no sin at all, or if it be any, yet so small and venial, that it may well pass among humane frailties and infirmities; by which also we have little damage, seeing it is so common amongst men, that the multitude of offenders taketh away the shame, and maketh it seem to be no sin; and on the other side bringeth with it so much seeming profit and benefit, that it doth much overbalance all the evils which do accompany it. All which false conceits will easily vanish, if we throughly weigh and consider the manifold and great evils of this sin which I have formerly discovered; and contrariwise the excellency of Trueth, and the innumerable blessings that it bringeth to those who love and embrace it both in this world and the world to come.
HItherto I have shewed the reasons which 1may move us to loathe and abhorre Lying, as a pernicious Vice; and if wee bee inclined to this disease or already tainted with it to desire earnestly, that wee may be preserved from it or cured of it; and now in the next place, if this desire by the former motives bee wrought in us, it is necessary that wee carefully use all good meanes which may strengthen us against this poisonous contagion like soveraigne antidotes, or if wee bee already infected, may recover us out of it. Now these meanes either respect meditation or affection and action. First, if we would shun or leave Lying, we must often and seriously meditate on the manifold evils both of sin and punishment before spoken of, as that it is dishonourable unto God and consequently odious and hatefull to his pure and perfect Nature, most injurious to our neighbours and therefore abhorred of all, and unto our selves most pernicious both in respect of our soules and bodies, in this life