A69235:21
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 1A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 1
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.
But that I may confine my speech within narrower 1bounds, and leaving others, come unto our selves; who seeth not, that after so long a time of preaching the Gospel, the light thereof hath not yet dispelled these foggy mists of falsehood and lying? Take a view of all places in our Land, Court, City and Country, and we shall find no Goshen that is exempted and free from this Egyptian darkness; almost all Men endeavouring to mislead others into errors, by lies and untruths. And that which is worst of all, Mens consciences are not convinced of the greatness of this sin, whereof it cometh to pass that it is not only in ⟨p. 4⟩daily practice, but also in some inward esteem and credit; as contrariwise plain and simple truth in some disgrace, the most m•n being ready to applaud themselves when they have achieved their ends by subtle untruths, and to censure others as dull and foolishly simple, who loving the Truth, do loose the advantage of compassing their end; because they make conscience of their words and ways, and will not purchase their hopes at the price of a lye. So that in these days we may justly take up the complaint of Jeremiah: Truth is perished, and is cut off from the mouth of Men: and that of the 2Prophet Isaiah: Judgement is turned away backward, 3and Justice standeth a far off; for Truth is fallen in the Street, and Equity cannot enter: yea Truth faileth, and he that departeth from evil, maketh himself a prey.
But that I may confine my speech within narrower 1boundes, and leaving others, come unto our selves; who seeth not, that after so long a time of preaching the Gospell, the light thereof hath not yet dispelled these foggy mystes of falsehood and lying? Take a view of all places in our Land, Court, Citty and Countrey, and we shall finde no Goshen that is exempted and free from this Egyptian darkenesse; almost all Men indeavouring to mislead others into errours, by lyes and untruths. And that which is worst of all, Mens consciences are not convinced of the greatnesse of this sinne, whereof it commeth to passe that it is not only in