A69235:52
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 4A TREATISE AGAINST THE SINNE OF LYING. › Chapter 4
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. IIII.
Two questions discussed; the first concerning stratagems in war; the second concerning simulation and dissimulation.
Two questions discussed; the first concerning stratagems in warre; the second concerning simulation and dissimulation.
And thus have I showed what a lye is, 1the nature thereof, the things concurring in it, and what forms and kinds of speech are suspected for untruths, but cleared from this suspicion. And now for conclusion of this point two questions come to be resolved. First, what is to be thought of stratagems in War; by which I understand such sleights and policies, either by words or actions, as are purposely devised and practised to circumvent and deceive an enemy; where as one thing is pretended to conceal the truth, and another thing is intended, but coloured and covered with some subtle device. To which I answer that it is lawful by all just and honest policies to circumvent an enemy in a lawful war, either by word or action. For if it be lawful by strength of arms to spoil, kill and utterly destroy them, then also to use the strength of our wits and all good policies which may conduce to the obtaining victory, especially considering that here there is no falsehood or treachery, under show of love and amity, but an open denouncing of hostility, by which both sides profess, that ⟨p. 34⟩they will use the uttermost of their endeavour to supplant one another both by strength and policy; by which general profession both sides have sufficient warning to expect the uttermost that can be done by power or wisdom for their ruin, and consequently to prepare themselves and (as it were) to countermine against them for the preventing of their designs, and to catch them if they can in their own wiles. And this as it is warranted by reason and nature, that in our own defence or just and necessary offence, we should use all good means to destroy them who otherwise would destroy us; so also by the holy Scriptures, and that both by the examples of pious and religious Kings and Captains, as Joshua, David and divers others; and also by the commandment of