A69235:191
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 16A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 16
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.
CHAP. XVI.
Of the uses which we ought to make of the former discourse.
Of the uses which wee ought to make of the former discourse.
And thus having through Gods gracious 1assistance handled the points, which in the beginning of this Treatise I propounded, and showed the nature of this vice, what it is, the causes and kinds of it, with the means whereby we may be preserved from this common infection, or cured if we be tainted with it; it now followeth in the last place, that I add a word or two by way of use. And first, seeing Truth is such an excellent Virtue and precious Jewell, let this move us highly to prise and dearly love it, and following the wise mans counsel, let us buy it though it cost us 2dear, but never sell it at any rate. For though it may seem at the first sight that we have much damage and disadvantage by it, and that by speaking the simple truth we make our selves a prey to the crafty, who have great help by their lies to circumvent and deceive us; that we have much loss in our trading and bargaining, buying and selling when we are restrained in our liberty of lying, whilst that others that make no conscience of it, have many helps and advantages thereby to further their ends, and advance their gain: And finally, that we shall by confessing the Truth, when we have offended, incur much displeasure, and expose our selves to the hard opinions of those that ⟨p. 161⟩are set over us, yea oftentimes to rigour and punishment; whereas others more faulty by the help of their Eyes do frame such excuses, that they are acquitted as blameless, held in good esteem, yea sometimes praised and rewarded as innocent and well deserving: yet let us rest assured that by loving and speaking Truth, we shall find our selves gainers in the end. For first Truth it self is such an unvaluable Jewell, that it is sufficient to enrich its owners by it self, and to make full amends for all the inconveniences, disadvantages, losses and punishments which they have by it; seeing it is accompanied with the inward peace of a good conscience, and Spiritual joy in the assurance of Gods Love and our Salvation. Besides it will make us acceptable unto God, who is in himself alone All-sufficient to reward our loving and embracing of Truth in obedience to his Commandment; and to recompense abundantly all inconveniences and disadvantages which we have by it.