A69235:56
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.
But yet some caution must here be observed, 1namely, that though we take lawful liberty in these stratagems and martial policies to conceal the trueth from an enemy▪ yet that we do ⟨p. 35⟩not, under any pretence or to advance any end, tell direct lies, and much less confirm them by false oaths and imprecations; and least of all must we hold it lawful to break and nullify our promises and covenants made with enemies, either for the concluding of peace, or a truce and cessation from arms and hostility for an appointed time, or keeping of quarter, or any other course agreed upon for the right ordering and managing of the war to the good of both parties, and tending to the welfare of common wealths and humane societies. The which is to be abhorred of all Christians, yea though such breach of promise might be coloured and excused by equivocations, mental reservations or any other pretence whatsoever; seeing such lies and falsifying of promises are not only most dishonourable unto God, especially when as by oath he is brought in as a witness to a lye, but also most hurtful to humane societies and common wealths, when as this chief bond of peace and justice is violated, seeing none thus deceived would be willing afterwards to trust another, or to make truce or peace upon any conditions, when as they can have no assurance that they will be observed and performed. Yea such lies and breach of promises are above all most pernicious to the parties themselves, seeing through Gods just judgement they are either taken in their own net and miscarry in their enterprise, or have the same measure from others measured unto them, who taking them upon advantage falsify their faith to them whom they have found faithless. For he that is Lord of hosts and God of battles, Who giveth salvation to Kings ⟨p. 36⟩2and delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword, is also the God of truth; and therefore as we may expect that he will crown Justice and Truth with conquest and triumph; so that he will execute vengeance upon liars and not suffer falsehood to go unpunished. The like may be said of spies and intelligencers, who if any other, might in many respects plead for a liberty in lying.