A69235:34
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 2A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 2
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 for the better and more full clearing of the 1nature of this vice, we will first say something of the name or thing defined, and then of the definition it self. Our English name whereby we express it is Lye, the Etymology whereof we cannot easily guess at. It may seem to be derived or borrowed from the Belgic word Lieghen, or the German Lügen, which signify to lye; and they to be derived from the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew] which signifieth to speak or talk: because (as Scaliger observeth) in much speaking or talking is usually some lying. The Latin expresseth it by a name which signifieth the disagreement that is in it between the tongue and the mind, mentiri, quasi contra mentem ire, to lye is to go against the mind, or to say that which the mind gain-sayeth, the tongue speaking contrary to that Truth which the mind conceiveth. The Grecians call a lye [Greek or Hebrew] of [Greek or Hebrew] which signifieth to deceive, because deceit is the main end of lying. And this some derive from [Greek or Hebrew] of [Greek or Hebrew] which signifieth to fly or avoid, because lying is such a vice as men naturally abhorring, when it is spoken against themselves, do shun and fly from it; others derive [Greek or Hebrew] which 2signifieth to reprehend, dispraise or disgrace, because ⟨p. 17⟩[Greek or Hebrew] is [Greek or Hebrew], a lye is reprehended and dispraised amongst all, as a thing vain and wicked. The Hebritians commonly call a lye Aven, the same word also signifying iniquity and sin; because in all lies though they seem never so specious and excusable, there is iniquity and sin, because the will and the tongue do disagree from the mind, and do betray it, by forcing it (like a false interpreter) to speak that which it doth not conceive and think.
But for the better and more full clearing of the 1nature of this vice, wee will first say something of the name or thing defined, and then of the definition it selfe. Our English name whereby wee expresse it is Lye, the Etymology whereof we cannot easily guesse at. It may seeme to bee derived or borrowed from the Belgicke word Lieghen, or the German Lügen, which signifie to lye; and they to be derived from the Greeke word which signifieth to speake or talke: because (as Scaliger observeth) in much speaking or talking is usually some lying. The Latine expresseth it by a name which signifieth the disagreement that is in it betweene the tongue and the mind, mentiri, quasi contra mentem ire, to lye is to goe against the minde, or to say that which the mind gain-sayeth, the tongue speaking contrary to that Truth which the minde conceiveth. The Grecians call a lye of which signifieth to deceive, because deceit is the maine end of lying. And this some derive from of which signifieth to flye or avoyde, because lying is such a vice as men naturally abhorring, when it is spoken against themselves, do shun and fly from it; others derive which