Four Treatises Dissuading from Four Heinous and Common Sins, Treatise 4 – Title page 2
A TREATISE WHEREIN THE SINNE OF BRIBERIE IS DISCOVERED and diſplayed, that it may be abhorred and auoided.
CHAP. I. Of the occaſion of this Treatiſe.
AS there is great friendſhip,§. Sect. 1. That the ſins of couetouſnes are moſt hardly cured. and an inſeparable league betweene corrupted nature, and all manner of ſinne whatſoeuer; ſo this inuiolable amitie doth no where more manifeſtly appeare, then betweene it, and the ſinnes of couetouſneſſe. Wherof it commeth to paſſe, that whereas other ſinnes, either lurke in corners, as being aſhamed to ſhew themſelues, or hang downe the head when they are diſcouered and reprooued, ſelfe-guiltineſſe taking from them all apologie and excuſe; theſe ſinnes of couetouſneſſe are partly ſo couered, and hid out of the ſight of the offender with carnall louelove, and partly ſo gilded ouer with glorious pretences, and as it were fenced in on all ſides with excuſes, which partialitie maketh ſeeme impregnable; that they dare vaunt themſelues in open view, ſtand in their owne defence, and with an audacious fore-head incounter all oppoſers; yea ſuch ſure poſſeſſion do vices of this nature take of the hearts of men, and ſo ſtrongly are they backed with the multitude and qualitie of the offenders,More danger in reprouing ſinne, then in committing it. who all with vnited forces ſtand vp both by word and example in their defence; that commonly the reproofe is made more vnpardonable then the ſinne; and whileſt the vice, though vnmasked, ſtareth in mens faces without ſhame or bluſhing, the reprehender is diſcountenanced, if not perſecuted and puniſhed, and his reaſons are not onelyonly reiected as weake, but alſo exploded as ridiculous.
Of this we hauehave an example in our Sauiour Chriſt himſelfe;§. Sect. 2. The former point cleered by example. for whereas when he ſounded the ſad tunes of the law againſt ſin in generall, and ſought to affect the people with this mournfull muſicke, he onelyonly complaineth that they did not weepe;Luk. 7.32. it is ſaid when hee went about to perſwade them not to ſet their hearts vponupon the earthly Mammon, the couetous Phariſes laughed him to ſcorne.Luk. 16.14. So when Ezechiel preached the word of God vntounto thoſe whoſe hearts went after couetouſneſſe,Ezec. 33.31. they gaue him the hearing, but when he had ſaid what be could againſt their ſinne, they mowed at him with their mouthes, and derided him for his labour. And ſo when Paul ſpake againſt the Idoll Diana, Demetrius and the craftſmen, not ſo much in heat of their deuotion, as for the loſſe of their gaines which they formerly enioyed by making filuer ſhrines vntounto their goddeſſe,A &. 19.24. were, at the hearing of this doctrine, filled, not onelyonly with anger, but alſo with outragious furie, whereby they brought the whole Citie into an vprore, and filled it with confuſion, laying violent hands vponupon Paules companions, when as the Apoſtle himſelfe was out of the way. Neither can Gods Miniſters, intreating of the like argument, expect better ſucceſſe in theſe worſer times, and corrupter age of the world, wherein mens goodnes is meaſured according to their wealth, and not their vertue; and euerie one eſteemed according to the quantitie of his riches, without any reſpect of the meanes whereby he hath compaſſed them.
The which was ſome diſcouragement vntounto me,§. Sect. 3. Impudencie of ſinne a diſcouragement to the reprouer. intending to ſpeake and write againſt one particular branch of couetouſneſſe, the ſinne of briberie, becauſe I feared leſt when I had taken all the paines I could in diſſwading men from this vice, I might iuſtly complaine with the Prophet, that I hauehave ſpent my ſtrength in vaine, and that the word of the Lord is made a reproch vntounto me, and in deriſion daylie. Ier. 20.8.For who ſeeth not, that this ſin of briberie is growne vntounto a common practiſe and vſuall faſhion, hauing both multitude of offenders to defend it, and the greatneſſe of the delinquents to grace and countenance it? In ſo much as now it is made a note of a braue minde, to receiue great gifts, and not to take baſer bribes, or to ſtoope vntounto euerie ſordidous pray.Quis niſi mentis inops oblatum reſpuit aurum? Yea now it is counted a ſigne of inciuilitie, not to accept of all proffered kindneſſes, and a badge of follie and ſottiſh ſtupiditie to bee baſhfull in exacting bribes, when the partie is backward in tendring of them.
Howbeit, on the other ſide,§. Sect. 4. Gods Miniſters muſt reprooue thoſe ſinnes which they hauehave ſmall hope to reforme. conſidering with my ſelfe that Chriſt inueighed againſt the Mammon of iniquitie, though he were derided; that Ezechiel preached againſt the ſinnes of the people, though his ſermons were but like the pleaſant ſongs of a cunning minſtrell to make them merrie; that Paul neuer ceaſed to reproue the idolatry of the Epheſians, though he were perſecuted for his paines; that being called to bee Gods Ambaſſadours, we muſt be readie for the deliuerie of of our meſſage, not onlie to accompanie Eſay in the Kings court, but alſo Ieremie in the ſtockes and dungeon; and that being appointed the Lords watchmen,Ezech. 33.8. we ought to tell the people of their ſinnes, vnleſſe we would hauehave their blood required at our hands; therefore remoouing out of ſight all impediments, I reſolued to intreate of this argument, and to inueigh againſt this ſinne; the louelove of my countrie, the reſpect of my calling, and the neceſſitie of the times ſo requiring it.
For who may not plainely perceiue,§. Sect. 5. That the ſinne of briberie hath corrupted moſt ſtates and conditions of men. that doth not wilfully ſhut his eyes, that where this ſinne of bribing raigneth, Rulers are corrupted, Iuſtice peruerted, impunitie admitted, and together with it all ſinne and wickedneſſe, the whole ſtate of gouernment diſioynted and diſordred? Neither hath this contagion tainted one place alone, but hath infected and poyſoned the moſt part, if not the whole ſtate of Chriſtendome: and as it was truely ſaid in the waining and declining eſtate of the Romane Church and monarchie; Omnia venalia Romae; all things at Rome are ſet to ſale: ſo is it but too truelie verified in theſe our daies both of that place, which is now the common market, not onelie of temporall, but alſo of ſpirituall things, as diſpenſations and pardons for ſinnes, yea euen of the ioyes of heauen, and likewiſe of the moſt parts of Chriſtendome, which are exceedinglie ouerſpread and corrupted with this vice. For is not that found true in the common experience of theſe times, which the Wiſe man obſerued in his daies,Eccleſ. 10.19. that monie anſwereth vntounto all, ruleth all, diſpoſeth all? and doe not almoſt all men make a cleere paſſage vntounto themſelues by gifts and rewards, for the atchieuing of their deſires, and with theſe golden raies ripen all their hopes? Doe but looke into the particulars, and we ſhall find this no falſe imputation laide vponupon the Chriſtian State, but a lamentable truth to be bewailed with deepe grones, and mournefull teares. For howſoeuer kingdomes themſelues and free monarchies bee vnualuable, and aboue the pitch of any price, yet what is there in kingdomes which are not dailie compaſſed by rewards? By this ladder ſome mount vp into the ſeate of eminencie, purchaſing by gifts titles, which neuer came to them by, inheritance, or by deſert; neither doe they now as in former times, ennoble and dignifie themſelues, by venturing their life, & ſpending their blood in the defence of their countrie; but hauehave found a ſpeedier and more eaſie courſe for the ſatiſfying their ambitious deſires, namely, by friends bought with gifts. So that now if euer the ſaying of the Poet is verified: In pretio pretium eſt, dat cenſus honores, cenſus amicitias; pauper vbi que iacet: Rewards are onelyonly rewarded, gifts buy honours, and procure friends; whereas thoſe who are poore in purſe, are contemptible in their perſons. So heretofore men were preferred vntounto offices for their ſeruice, ſufficiencie and deſert; but now the vſual entrance into them is by large gifts; which way is ſo common, by reaſon all the other paſſages are ſtopped vp, that men are not aſhamed to paſſe thorow it at noone day; and without bluſhing to iuſtifie their entrance. Now what wonder is it if theſe men who entred into their places by bribing, doe in the execution of them liue by extorſion? or that paying for them only for terme of life, more then would purchaſe a fee ſimple of like value, if they tooke no more but due and ordinarie fees, they ſhould take vniuſt courſes to helpe their bargaine, and to keep themſelues from beggerie? Neither is this fault only now to bee found among ſome cunning courtiers, who hauehave come to their skill by much ſtudy, and long experience; but euen amongſt Magiſtrates in cities, who are growne more skilful in cunning hādling of a bribing match, thē in their own profeſſions & trades, for learning wherof they hauehave ſerued ſeuē yeres apprentiſhip.
But as there are many forward proficients in this art of bribing, ſo none goeth before many lawyers of theſe times;§. Sect. 5. None goe before ſome lawyers in the art of bribing. who in reſpect of their skill and deepe reach into theſe wicked myſteries, may iuſtlie deſerue to be eſteemed not only Maſters of this art, but euen Doctors and profeſſors. For what matter is ſo foule and vniuſt, which many of them will not countenance and defend for an extraordinarie reward? what title ſo ſtrong and cleare, which they are not readie to vndermine and ouerthrow for the gaining of an ample bribe? Neither are the lay eſtate and common-wealths alone tainted with this corruption, but the infection of this vice hath corrupted the Church likewiſe. For if wee looke into the ſchooles of the Prophets, the ſeminaries of learning and religion, we ſhall find that the preferments which by the founders of Colledges were deſtinated and appropriated to thoſe who were pooreſt in purſe, moſt deſtitute of friends, and worthieſt in gifts, both of pietie and learning; are now ſometimes conferred vponupon ſuch, as are able to make moſt friends by gifts and rewards, though altogether vnfit and vnworthie of them. So likewiſe the preferments of the Church are in theſe times by the ſame meanes compaſſed in many places; for theeues and intruders enter the Church dore by the helpe of theſe golden picklockes. Neither is it now any great furtherance to the obtaining of Church preferments, that a man by laborious ſtudie hath attained vntounto depth of learning and eminencie of gifts; for though his head be neuer ſo full fraught with knowledge, yet if his hands be emptie of bribes, he may hauehave leaue to ſtand without doores; and though he hauehave the tongue of the learned, yet he ſhall neuer perſwade his greedie patrone, vnleſſe he can make golden verſes, and mooue him to hearken with a ſiluer ſounding voice. Yea in truth learning in theſe times is accidentally an hinderance to the obtaining the rewards of learning: for if that monie were ſaued which is laid out vponupon bookes and candles, and beſtowed in gifts and bribes; and if that time were ſpent in laying cunning plots, for the procuring of preferments, which is beſtowed in making men worthie to bee preferred; it would prooue a farre readier and ſpeedier courſe, to compaſſe theſe perferments; though in the meane while they ſhould bee barbarouſlie ignorant, and thereby fitter to deſtroy the Church then to build it, to betray it into the power of the ſpirituall wolfe, then to defend or deliuer it. Whereby it appeareth, that almoſt all ſtates in all places, are exceedingly corrupted and diſordered with this vice of bribing, ſo as in theſe times wee may make that bold and generall challenge:
Quid non argento? quid non corrumpitur auro?
Qui maiora dabit munera victor erit.Mich. Verin.
What is there which is not corrupted with ſiluer and gold? And who in competition and in all ſuites, hath the preheminence and victorie, but he who can bring largeſt gifts? Neither are the preferments of honor onelyonly attained vntounto by theſe bribing courſes, but alſo the preferments of wealth and riches: for as the cunning fiſher baiteth his hooke with a ſmall fiſh to get a greater, ſo the onelyonly courſe in theſe daies to compaſſe greater wealth, is to venture that which wee alreadie hauehave, to bring our ſtate to a low ebbe when we would hopefullie expect a full ſea, and to impoueriſh our ſelues with giuing bribes, when wee deſire to bee aduanced to the greateſt riches.
CHAP. II. That bribing is forbidden and condemned as a great ſinne, both by God and men.
BVt the more generall this vice is,§. Sect. 1. Briberie condemned, both by the law of God, and light of nature. the more danger there is of being infected with it, and conſequently the greater care and circumſpection muſt bee vſed, to keepe our ſelues from the common pollution of bribing, whether wee reſpect giuing or receiuing. And to this purpoſe that we may be more ſtrongly armed againſt this ſinne, which whileſt it allureth and delighteth, pearceth the verie heart and ſoule; I will ſet forth the greatneſſe and odiouſneſſe thereof, together with the miſerable fruites which it bringeth forth, both in reſpect of particular perſons, and whole common-wealths and countries. That it is a ſinne to bribe, appeareth hereby, in that the Scriptures forbid and condemne it. Exod. 23.8.Exod. 23.8. Thou ſhalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wiſe &c. The which is repeated and by repetition confirmed, Deut. 16.19.Deut. 16.19. wreſt not thou the law, nor reſpect any perſon; neither take reward &c. Yea not onelyonly is it condemned as a ſinne by the Scriptures, which is the exact rule of iuſtice; but alſo by the light of nature, though much decaied and corrupted. For euen Heathen men hauehave abhorred bribing, as a corrupting ſore, which eateth out the heart of all vertuous cariage, and as a fretting canker which deuoureth whole ſocieties and common-wealthes. Ephialtes, although a poore man,Aelian. lib. 11. de var. hiſt. refuſed great gifts when they were offred, becauſe, as hee ſaid, hee ſhould thereby be moued to deale vniuſtly, if his benefactors importuned him; or be condemned as vngratefull for not requiting their benefits. Alcumenes ſaid, that he could not receiue gifts, Plutarch. Apotheg. Lacō.and keepe peace with the lawes. Phociō receiuing an hundred talents as a gift from Alexander, demanded of the meſſenger wherefore it was ſent to him, rather then to any other of the Athenians; and vponupon this anſwere returned, Becauſe he knew him to be an honeſt and iuſt man; hee replied againe: Why then I would intreat your maſter, that he will ſuffer me to continue in my honeſtie and iustice: thereby implying, that he could not poſſibly be ſuch an one, if he ſuffered himſelfe to be corrupted with rewards.
But the Scripture goeth further,§. Sect. 2. The Scripture condemneth bribing as an hainous ſinne. Amos. 5.12. and condemneth bribing, not onelyonly as a ſinne, but alſo as a mightie ſinne. Amos 5.12. For I know your manifold tranſgreſſions, and your mightie ſins: they afflict the iust, they take rewards, and they oppreſſe the poore in the gate. The which as it is true of all bribers, ſo eſpecially of thoſe who being in the place of Magiſtracie and authoritie are corrupted with rewards and moued therby to peruert iudgement; and alſo of all others who are allured by bribes, to attempt any thing which is vnlawfull and wicked. For all ſuch grieuouſlie ſinne againſt God,How the briber ſinneth againſt God. their neighbour, and themſelues; againſt the Lord, not onelyonly by direct breaking of his commandement, but alſo in diſhonoring his name after an exttaordinarie manner, namely, by drawing him as much as in them lieth, into the fellowſhip of their ſinne, or at leaſt into the ſlander of it. For Magiſtrates are Gods deputies and vicegerents here on earth, and the iudgements which they adminiſter are not their owne, but the iudgements of the great king of heauen and earth; as Iehoſaphat telleth his Iudges,2. Chron. 19.6. 2. Chron. 19.6. Take heede what you doe; for you execute not the iudgements of man, but of the Lord, and he will be with you in the cauſe, and iudgement. When as therefore they being corrupted doe peruert iudgement, what doe they elſe but make the Lord to the vttermoſt of their power to pronounce a falſe or vniuſt ſentence? What doe they but offer vntounto him a kind of violence, in forcing him by his ſubſtitutes to do that which is contrarie to his owne nature? For the Lord reſpecteth not perſons, nor receiueth rewards, as it is, 2. Chron. 19.7.2. Chron. 19.7. Iob. 34.19. and 36.18. He regardeth not the rich more then the poore. Iob 34.19. Neither can a multitude of gifts moue him to acquit the ſinner, chap. 36.18. Where as they contrariwiſe vſurping Gods name and place, by rewards are ſeduced to peruert iudgement, acquitting the guiltie, and condemning the innocent; and ſo bring an imputation of iniuſtice vponupon God himſelfe, and pollute his holy name with the filthineſſe of their ſinnes, as the Lord challengeth them, Ezech. 13.19.Ezech. 13.16. Will ye pollute me among my people, for handfuls of barley, and pieces of bread, to ſlay the ſoules of them that ſhould not die, and in giuing life to the ſoules that ſhould not liue, in lying to my people that heare your lies?
Secondly, they directly offend againſt the Lord, in that they are readie to ſet to ſale, iuſtice and truth, which are vnualuable and moſt precious in his ſight; euen as if the ſubiect to ſatisfie his greedie appetite, ſhould not be content to rob his Princes treaſurie, but alſo ſhould make ſale of his great Seale, and the ſcepter of his kingdome.
But as the briber ſinneth againſt God,§. Sect. 3. How the briber ſinneth againſt his neighbour, and firſt againſt priuate men. ſo alſo againſt his neighbour; and that both priuate men, and whole ſocieties. Againſt priuate men he offendeth diuers waies; firſt againſt thoſe whom hee wrongeth by iniuſtice, either when hee depriueth them of their right, robbing them of that wherwith God hath endowed them, or by condemning the innocent whom God iuſtifieth, or by oppreſſing the weake and friendleſſe, whom God would hauehave eſpecially fauoured and reſpected.
Secondly, he ſinneth againſt the partie for whoſe ſake he doth iniuſtice, in that he taketh a reward to countenance him in his vniuſt courſes, to harden him in his ſinne; and by making the wrongs and iniuries iuſtifiable and lawfull, which he hath offered to his neighbour, cauſeth him ſecurely to goe on in his wickedneſſe without repentance.
Laſtly, hee offendeth againſt his inſtruments whom hee vſeth in theſe vniuſt imployments; for if Ieſabel will vniuſtly ſpill Naboths blood, and ſpoile him of his vineyard, then alſo muſt ſhee hauehave falſe witneſſes to accuſe him, and vniuſt Iudges to condemne him; and if Felix will bee a cunning taker of bribes, he muſt not goe bluntly to worke, and himſelfe make the match; but he muſt hauehave his wicked brokers to beate the bargaine, who alſo if the truth come to light, may beare the blame, and excuſe their maſter. And ſo theſe wretches ſeldome goe to hell alone, but draw others with them into the like fearefull condemnation.
CHAP. III. How the briber ſinneth against particular and priuate ſocieties.
ANd thus the briber ſinneth againſt particular mē.§. Sect. 1. Of the briberie of Landlords. Againſt whole ſocieties he likewiſe offendeth, and that both priuate & publike. Againſt priuate ſocieties, as namely againſt families, whether they belong to others, or that whereof himſelfe is gouernor. Other mens families they waſt and ſpoile, by exacting gifts and rewards from them, and like greedie, but yet idle birds, they rob other mens neſts to feather their owne. In which reſpect the greedie Landlord principally offends, who being to let a leaſe to a poore tenant, doth not onelyonly raiſe the rent and inhance the fine; but in churliſh cunning keepeth aloofe, looking ſternely, and ſpeaking bigly; neither can hee be perſwaded to come vntounto any agreement, vntill his wife or children be feed with bribes, to mediate in the behalfe of the poore tenant, and ſo make him more tractable and inclinable to entertaine his motion. And when the leaſe is taken at ſo high a rate, that by ſweating almoſt vntounto blood, he cannot maintaine his poore familie, yet if he regard his Landlords diſpleaſure, and would hauehave him to looke vponupon him with a cheerfull countenance; yea if hee deſire to be out of his lurch, and would not hauehave him alwaies readie to watch him a miſchiefe when the leaſt occaſion is offred; he muſt at euerie good time preſent him with the fat of his labours, though he ſpare it out of his owne bellie; and be alwaies readie at his Landlords pleaſure, to toile himſelfe and his cattell alſo, with gaineleſſe paines, and vnrewarded labour.Eſa. 3.14. Amos 8.6. And what is this but as the Prophet ſpeaketh, to beat the people in pieces, and to grinde the faces of the poore? What is it but to ſell the poore for old ſhooes, and baſely to vnderualue thoſe as ſlaues and men of no worth, whom Chriſt hath redeemed with the ineſtimable price of his owne moſt precious blood? What is this, but not onelyonly to plucke off the clothes from their backs, and their meate from betweene their iawes, but euen to pull off the skinne from the fleſh, and the fleſh from the bones, and like cruell Canibals, to eate the fleſh of Gods people, hauing firſt flaied off their skinnes, broken their bones, and chopt them in peeces, as for the pot, and as fleſh within the caldron, as the Lord complaineth of the Princes of Iſrael:Mich. 3.2.3. Mich. 3.2.3.
The like may be ſaid of many couetous lawyers;§. Sect. 2. The maniſold briberie of diuers lawyers. for I doe not accuſe all, nor any, whoſe conſciences doe not accuſe them; and I know that there are many of this honourable profeſſion who doe truely feare God, louelove iuſtice, hate the corruptions of the time, and make conſcience of their waies; but I only taxe ſuch, as being wholly poſſeſſed and corrupted with greedy couetouſneſſe, ſtand accuſed and conuinced before God by the teſtimonie of their own conſciences of theſe griping courſes, and of this vnconſcionable bribing, whereby they ſpoile whole families, and lay waſt dwelling houſes as deſert places; for when men come vntounto them for helpe, to maintaine their iuſt titles, and to enter or keepe them in poſſeſſion of their right, they of all others moſt wrong them; and if at al they preſerue their ſtate, it is that themſelues may pray vponupon it; vſing herein their clients as the briers the ſheepe, who when he commeth amongſt them for ſhelter againſt the ſtorme, is ſo inueigled, that before hee can get out, he muſt leaue his coate behind him. Neither is this the caſe of the one client alone, but herein both aduerſe parties doe well agree; for oftentimes both he that doth and receiueth the wrong, he that hath a iuſt title vntounto that for which he ſueth, as well as he that deteineth other mens rights from the true owners, hauehave through tedious ſuits their eſtates brought into ſuch deepe conſumptions, that they neuer recouer of it. So as it had bin much better oftentimes to hauehave giuen away their right, then to hauehave ſued for it; becauſe they can hauehave no end of their chargeable ſuites, till hauing ſpent all, their pouertie procureth a priuiledge of exemption. In which reſpect many Lawyers of our times may be truly ſaid to accord contentions, as in the fable the kite compounded the ſtrife between the mouſe and the frog, namely, by making a pray of both parties. And thoſe who ſue for their helpe, are like vntounto true men, who when they cannot agree about the diuiſion of their goods, either partie deſiring the greater ſhare, commit the matter to be comprimitted and decided by theeues, who inrich themſelues with the ſpoile of them both: or like vntounto the blind and the lame, contending who ſhould hauehave the oiſter which the one ſpied, and the other tooke vp, and not being willing to decide the matter betweene themſelues, did chuſe an arbitratour, who did eate the meate himſelfe, and gaue a ſhell to either partie.
But becauſe it is not enough to ſay that they are diſeaſed,§. Sect. 3. That lawyers diuerſlie offend in this ſinne of bribing: 1. When as they take gifts to maintaine an vniuſt cauſe. vnleſſe we alſo point at the ſore; or to accuſe them of bribing, vnleſſe we alſo ſhew wherein their taking rewards is to bee condemned; we are further to know, that in this regard they principally offend, firſt, when they take gifts for the defending of an vniuſt cauſe, themſelues knowing before they take it in hand, that it is of this nature and qualitie. A common practiſe amongſt many lawyers of theſe times, who care not how bad the cauſe be, ſo the fee be good, nor how emptie the courts be of iuſtice, ſo that their cheſts hereby may be filled with riches. But herein they grieuouſlie ſinne againſt the Iudge, whom by their pernicious eloquence, colourable gloſſes, and falſe ſuggeſtions, they labour to blind, that they may ſeduce and miſleade him out of the path of iuſtice, into the by-waies of error and vnrighteouſnes. They ſin againſt the aduerſe partie, ioyning their helping hands with ſuch theeues, as would rob them of their right, and ſpoile them of their iuſt poſſeſſions. They ſinne againſt their owne client, either by taking his monie to doe him no good, his cauſe being apparantly euill; or when it is more hidden and intricate, by ſtrengthening him in euill, countenancing him in his bad courſe, and by ſelling vntounto him for his fees an vniuſt bargaine, which he hath no more right to buy, then the other to ſell, which one day will be a clogge to his mind, and a corraſiue to his conſcience. And laſtly, they ſinne againſt their owne ſoules, both by ſcraping out the ſigne of one who is an inheritour of Gods kingdome, and by taking vponupon them a marke of reprobation and damnation, namely, the receiuing of a reward againſt the innocent: as it is, Pſal. 15.5.Pſalm. 15 and whileſt they call good euill, and euill good, wrong right, and right wrong, iuſtifie the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteouſneſſe of the righteous from him, they make themſelues ſubiect to a double woe denounced againſt them:Eſa. 5.20.23. Eſa 5.20.23.
Secondly, they are guiltie of this ſinne of bribing,§. Sect. 4. 2. By exacting extraordinarie fees for ordinarie buſineſſe. who exact extraordinarie fees for ordinarie labour, and exceſſiue rewards for ſmall paines to themſelues, and as little profit to their clients. The which is a common fault of theſe times, wherein ſome lawyers ſo much ouerualue their labours aboue their worth, that ſcarce ten times ſo much as their ordinarie fee will bring them to the barre, or cauſe them to open their lippes in the behalſe of their client, if they be men of any note. But wee are to know that by the rule of iuſtice, there ought to be a proportion betweene the worke and reward, betweene the ſeruice and the wages, reſpect being had of the dignitie and ſtate of the perſon who taketh the paines; and whatſoeuer exceedeth this iuſt proportion is no better then briberie, extorſion, and theft in Gods ſight. Neither muſt this proportion be meaſured according to their owne conceit, which is commonly vnequall and partiall, through ouerweening pride, and bewitching ſelfe-louelove, but according to the lawes of the land, and limitation of the State, whereby all ſuch things are to bee ordered and determined. Beſides, as this taking of exceſſiue fees is bad in it ſelfe, and full of iniuſtice and corruption, ſo is it of worſe conſequence; for if none of worth can bee entertained but at theſe high rates; then thoſe who are of low condition and meane eſtate, are through their neceſſity debarred of their helpe and counſell; and onelyonly thoſe who abound in wealth, and hauehave full purſes, hauehave the benefit of it; whereof it muſt needs follow, that through the great skil and perſwading eloquence which is vſed in the defence of their cauſe who are rich, & through the weake and inſufficient handling of the poore mans cauſe, though neuer ſo iuſt; powerful iniuſtice wil get ye vpper hand oftentimes of weak right, and truth hauing no patrons but her own naked ſimplicitie to maintaine her, againſt the vnreſiſtable violence of bold eloquence, and cunning inſinuations and ſurmizes, doth not ſeldome in theſe daies take the foile.
But much more doe they offend,§. Sect. 5. 3. VVhen hauing receiued their fees, they will not ſpeake in their clients cauſe. who receiuing their fees, ſometimes double and treble, will not vouchſafe when the cauſe of their clients is to be heard, to come vntounto the barre, or to open their lippes in defence of their right. Whereby they greatly iniure their clients, in betraying their cauſe vnderunder colour of patronage, withholding their promiſed counſell and helpe, when the neceſſitie of the cauſe moſt requireth it: whereof it muſt needs follow, that the aduerſe partie will obtaine an eaſie victorie, when being armed at all points for the incounter, he findeth no aduerſarie in the liſts to make reſiſtance. And alſo hereby they make themſelues guiltie of ſhamefull theft, in that they take thoſe fees, which of right doe not belong vntounto them: for the reward is not abſolutely giuen vntounto them, but vponupon the condition of their beſt aſſiſtance, the which condition being not performed, they hauehave no iuſt title vntounto the gift; no more then ye ſeruant hath right to his wages, who doth no worke, or ſpendeth his whole time in following his owne buſineſſe.The cauſes of the former ſin: 1. The couetouſnes of the lawyer. Now the cauſe hereof principally is their griping couetouſneſſe, which maketh them thinke all the water loſt which runneth beſides their mill; and therefore they greedily vndertake as many buſineſſes as are commended vntounto them by aſſured hope of large gaine, though it be impoſſible that they ſhould carefully proſecute one of three as the cauſes require. And ſo they not onelyonly emptie their clients purſes of their mony, but alſo their hearts of all comfort, when they find their cauſe betraied by thoſe who ſhould hauehave defended it; and perceiue to their griefe that theſe broken ſtaues hauehave failed them, when they moſt relied on them.2. The importunitie of the client. And ſecondarily, this commeth to paſſe through the importunitie of the client, who looking more into the skill of his counſellours, then into the goodneſſe of his cauſe, is in policie contented to giuegive a large fee to one, of whom he hath conceiued a great opinion, rather to hinder his aduerſarie, then to helpe himſelfe. For hauing no hope of entertaining him to ſpeake in his owne cauſe, he putteth into his mouth this goldē gagge, to reſtraine him from ſpeaking againſt him, in the behalfe of the aduerſe party. Wherin they behaue themſelues like the poore Indians, who offer ſacrifice to the diuels, not becauſe they looke to obtaine from them any good, but becauſe they would reſtraine them from doing them any hurt: ſo theſe not for hope of receiuing any helpe, but to keepe them from hurting their cauſe, fee them with large gifts; whereby it commeth to paſſe, that they who in this corrupt ranke are of greateſt fame, are more inriched by their ſilence, then others by their laboured ſpeeches; and hauehave more and greater fees to keepe them ſitting ſtil and doing nothing, then others for trudging to the courts, and taking all the paines.
Laſtly, they offend by making tedious delaies,§. Sect. 6. 4. By making tedious delaies and protracting ſuites. and protracting of ſuits, from terme to terme, and yeere to yeere, diuiſing a thouſand quirkes and ſhifts to keepe the cauſe from comming to a iuſt triall, to the end, that together with the ſuite, their fees may be continued, and become of extraordinarie rewards annuall rents, to bee paid vntounto them quarterly at eueryevery Terme. So that in theſe daies the execution of iuſtice is farre vnlike vntounto that it was in the time of Moſes, Exod. 18.14.for then Iethro complained that the peoples ſuites were too tediouſly delaied, becauſe they were faine to waite from morning to night to hauehave their cauſes heard and tried: whereas now a plaine deede, well penned for matter and forme, and ratified by hand and ſeale, may depend in ſuite a yeere or two in deſpite of the beſt meanes which the wronged plaintiffe can make to right himſelfe. And if there be any great difficultie in the cauſe (as what may not be made difficult which conſiſteth in words and phraſes more then in equitie and iuſtice?) then the corrupt lawyers of theſe times take a leaſe of their clients for terme of life, yea ſometimes for three liues ſucceſſiuelie, the nephew ending that ſuite which the grandfather began. Yea and oftentimes after all this expenſe of time and monie, the title is neuer the better cleared, but onelyonly wearineſſe and pouertie put an end to theſe ſuites which ſtomacke and abundance began. And he who gaineth moſt, ſitteth downe by loſſe, ſeeing in reſpect of his great expenſe it had been much better, both for his ſtate and mind, to hauehave had a ſpeedie ouerthrow, then ſo tedious a conqueſt. So that lawing in theſe times is much like to gaming, wherein vnthrifts caſt the dice who ſhall hauehave one anothers monie; and the lawyers cheſt like the butlers boxe, which in the end receiueth all, and maketh both parties to become beggers; for as in both there is equall hope, ſo no more certaintie of deſired ſucceſſe, one vndoing that which another hath done, and ouerruling that as vniuſt, which another hath determined to be iuſt and equall.
And thus hauehave I ſhewed how the briber deſtroyeth other mens families.§. Sect. 7. Hovv the briber deſtroyeth his owne familie. The like may alſo bee ſaid of his owne; for howſoeuer he by bribing principally intendeth to build his houſe, and to aduance his poſteritie to great honour and riches; yet oftentimes it commeth to paſſe through the iuſt iudgement of God, and by his infinite wiſedome and power ouerruling al his plots and purpoſes, that in ſtead of building his familie he deſtroyeth it, in ſtead of aduancing his poſteritie he bringeth vponupon it vtter ruine and diſgrace. This is manifeſt both by the Scriptures and by continuall experience of all times. The Wiſe man telleth vsus, that hee who is greedie of gaine, that is, ſo couetous as that he will not ſtick to vſe thoſe vnlawfull practiſes of bribing and oppreſſion to inrich himſelfe, he troubleth and diſturbeth his houſe; whereas hee that hateth bribes ſhall liue, Prou. 15.27. Iob 15.34.Prou. 15.27. So it is ſaid Iob 15.34. that fire ſhall deuoure the houſes which are built with bribes, that is, they ſhall bee brought to vtter ruine and deſtruction. The which heauie iudgements here threatned hauehave accordingly been inflicted, as experience of all times hath taught vsus: for howſoeuer men may aduance themſelues by theſe wicked courſes for a time, yet it could ſeldome be obſerued that the third heire had cauſe to glorie in the gettings of his bribing anceſtors.
CHAP. IIII. That briberie is hurtfull and pernicious to the Commonwealth.
BVt as bribers doe deſtroy priuate families;§. Sect. 1. Briberie ouerthrovveth magiſtracie. ſo they are alike hurtfull and pernicious to whole countries and Common-wealths: for firſt, briberie ouerthroweth Magiſtracie, and all lawfull gouernment, and bringeth with it an anarchie and confuſion. To which purpoſe one ſaith, that oblatio muneris tinea eſt regiminis; Caſſ. in Epist.Bribing is the moth of gouernment. For howſoeuer men hold the places and hauehave the authoritie of Magiſtrates, yet if they louelove gifts they will ſo charme them that they will hauehave no eyes to ſee diſorders, nor eares to heare complaints, nor vnderſtanding to diſcerne betweene good and euil right or wrong, but as they are informed and lead by thoſe who bribe thē. Wherupō a large dore is opened to al diſorder and licentious liberty, no man being reſtrained frō any wickednes, but thoſe who are vnable to bring gifts, and to make their peace by rewards.
Secondly, by bribing the Common-wealth is robbed,§. Sect. 2. By bribing the commonwealth is robbed and ſpoiled. ſpoyled, and impoueriſhed: for ſeeing no buſineſſe can bee diſpatched, no right obtained, no law executed but by the helpe of gifts; and conſidering that theſe occaſions, are in all ſtates daily and continuall, amongſt innumerable perſons of all degrees, it muſt needes follow that in ſhort time the whole wealth of the countrie will be exhauſted, and ingroſſed into the hands of theſe robbers. Hence it is that the Prophet Eſay matcheth bribing Magiſtrates with theeues,Eſa. 1.23. Eſa. 1.23. Thy Princes are rebellious and companious of theeues, eueryevery one loueth gifts and followeth after rewards. Neither in truth is there any difference betweene them, ſauing that theeues rob onelyonly ſome few priuate perſons, but theſe whole countries and Common-wealths; they by plaine force, and theſe by diſguiſed ſubtiltie and vnderunder colour of law. So the Prophet Ieremy compareth them to cunning fowlers, which lay ſnares and make pitfalles to catch men, and their houſes to cages, in which they keepe and ſtore vp that riches which they hauehave catched and ſeazed vponupon by theſe vniuſt courſes,Ier. 5.26.27. Ierem. 5.26.27. For purpoſely doe ſuch Magiſtrates make lawes, not for maintenance of order, iuſtice, and gouernment; but that they may ſerue as ſnares to intrap men, and that being catched they may redeeme their libertie and impunitie by large gifts. Or if there bee any other made, they vtterly neglect the execution of them, though they bee neuer ſo profitable and neceſſarie for the good of the Common-wealth, vnleſſe they bring ſome priuate gaine to their owne cheſts.
Thirdly,§. Sect. 3. Bribing peruerteth the whole courſe of iuſtice. by bribing iuſtice is peruerted, innocencie oppreſſed, and iniuries countenanced and defended; and what can follow but the ruine of the Common-wealth, when as iuſtice, which is the maine pillar whereby it is vpheld, is pulled downe? This appeareth by teſtimonies of Scripture, and by examples:Exod. 23.8. Exod. 23.8. Gifts blind the wiſe, and peruert the words of the righteous. If then the wiſe and righteous, who hauehave both wiſdome to diſcerne truth from falſhood, and right from wrong, as alſo will, to imbrace the good, and refuſe the euill, be ſeduced and peruerted from their vpright and iuſt courſes, and miſlead into the bywaies of error and iniuſtice with bribes and rewards; then what will become of thoſe who naturally want that cleareneſſe of iudgement to know what is good, or that louelove of goodneſſe to imbrace it when it is diſcerned?Deut. 16.19. So Deut. 16.19. the holy Ghoſt ioyneth wreſting of the law, reſpecting of perſons, and taking of rewards in the ſame prohibition, thereby intimating that theſe three goe together, and that bribing is the cauſe of both the other, as the words following plainly ſhew. And at this as their maine end doe wicked men aime, when as they preſent their Iudges with rewards, as appeareth, Prou. 17.23.Prou. 17.23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the boſome to wrest the waies of iudgement.
This likewiſe appeareth by examples.§. Sect. 4. The former point cleared by examples. When Samuels ſons would not walke in their fathers waies; which was to adminiſter iuſtice indifferently without reſpect of perſons, or taking bribes,1. Sam. 12.3. as himſelfe proteſteth to the people 1. Sam. 12.3. but did turne aſide after lucre, and tooke rewards; then they alſo peruerted iudgement, as it is 1. Sam 8.3.1. Sam 8.3. So the Magiſtrates of Iſrael being corrupted with greedie couetouſneſſe, made rewards the verie end and maine ſcope of their iudgement, Mich. 3.11. Yea euen righteous Dauid, Mich. 3.11.a man according to Gods owne hart, was ſo intangled and corrupted with Zibaes bribe, that he vniuſtly condemned innocent Mephiboſheth before his cauſe was euer heard; and when the iniuſtice of this ſentence appeared, by that iuſt apologie which he made for himſelfe;2. Sam. 16.1.2. and 19.29. yet was hee ſo poſſeſſed with Ziba his gift and falſe report, that neither the louelove which himſelfe bare to iuſtice, nor the remembrance of the vnmatchable kindneſſe and manifold benefits, which he had receiued from his deare Ionathan, could moue him to reuoke wholly his vnrighteous iudgement, nor to inflict vponupon this inſinuating vaſſall deſerued puniſhment, for his treacherie towards his innocent maſter. So hard a thing it is to intertaine vnpartiall iuſtice, when the heart is foreſtalled with rewards, or to walke in the narrow path of righteouſneſſe, when the eie of iudgement is hoodwinckt with bribes.
But this will better appeare,§. Sect. 5. Bribing Judges iuſtifie the wicked for a reward. if we more particularly examine the vniuſt cariage of thoſe, who being in authoritie, ſuffer themſelues to be corrupted with bribes; for when preiudice of the cauſe is wrought in their minds through the perſwaſion of golden eloquence, there is none ſo wicked whom they will not iuſtifie, nor any ſo innocent, whom they are not readie to condemne. Neither doe they in determining of cauſes, conſider what is iuſt, but onelyonly remember what they hauehave receiued; not what in equitie and conſcience they ought to doe, but what they hauehave promiſed to doe for their reward. And of theſe the Prophet ſpeaketh,Eſa. 5.23. Eſa. 5.23. Which iuſtifie the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteouſneſſe of the righteous from him. For the former; when a cauſe is to bee handled and determined before a corrupt Iudge, who loueth gifts, and hath his hand open to receiue rewards; then the prouerbe is alwaies verified: Pecunioſus damnari non poteſt: A monied man cannot be condemned; nay ſcarcelie reprooued for his greateſt faults; for as one ſaith:Ambr. in 1. Cor. Libertatem arguendi amittit, & peccat qui ab eo accipit, qus ideo dat ne corrigatur; He loſeth his libertie of reprouing, and thereby greatly offendeth, which doth receiue a gift from him, who therefore beſtoweth it that hee may not bee corrected. For how can he freely rebuke ſuch an one for his faults, whom before he hath made priuie to his owne groſſe corruptions? Or what power hath he to draw out the ſword of iuſtice, for the puniſhment of ſin, when as he hath ſuffred his hands to be manacled with bribes? Or how can he in triall of right adminiſter righteous iudgement without reſpect of perſons, who hath made fale of both his eares, eyes, and tongue for a reward, and vponupon earneſt receiued, hath obliged himſelfe to vſe all fauour to the one partie, before the cauſe is examined?
And as he is readie for reward to iuſtifie the wicked;§. Sect. 6. Bribing Judges oppreſſe the innocent. ſo alſo to wrong the innocent; for if their cauſe be ſo cleere and manifeſt, that it cannot with any colourable ſhew of reaſon goe againſt them; then doe they ſo tire them with delayes, and ſo diſcourage them with endleſſe paines, and exceſſiue charges (they being vnable to counterpoiſe the gifts of their aduerſaries) that they are faine to giuegive it ouer before they can hauehave a day of hearing, or come to a lawfull triall. So the Lord complaineth of the bribing Iudges of Iſrael,Eſa. 1.23. Eſa. 1.23. Euerie one loueth gifts, and followeth after rewards; they iudge not the fatherleſſe, neither doth the widowes cauſe come before them.
But if the cauſe of the poore man hauehave in it any difficultie, then though it be neuer ſo iuſt, yet hee were better to giuegive it ouer, and ſpare his coſt and ſaue his further labour, then to proſecute his right before a bribing Iudge; for hee ſhall (as the prouerbe is) but caſt the helue after the hatchet, and enter into an endleſſe labyrinth, in which when hee hath long trauailed, he ſhall find himſelfe as farre from his hoped iſſue, as in the firſt houre of his entrance, wanting the golden thread which ſhould guide him in his way. And if in the proſecution of his cauſe, for want of counſell hee giueth the leaſt aduantage to his aduerfarie, though it do not concerne the equitie of the matter, but onelyonly the error of the forme, and faultineſſe of his plea, he is ſure to bee cruſhed, and to hauehave the cauſe, though neuer ſo iuſt, to goe againſt him. And of this corruption, the Lord accuſeth the corrupt Iudges of Iſrael, Amos 5.12. They afflict the iuſt, they take rewards, Amos 5.12.and they oppreſſe the poore in the gate. that is, ſitting vponupon the ſeats of iudgement, which in thoſe times were placed in the gates of their cities.
Yea, ſo greedie of gaine is the bribing Iudge,§. Sect. 7. Bribing Iudges ſticke not to betray the liues of the innocent. that for a reward, he will betray the liues of the innocent, and to inrich his cheſts, ſet to ſale the deereſt blood of righteous perſons, not caring ſo he may hauehave gold to purchaſe large poſſeſſions, though his fields bee called Aceldama, fields of blood. With ſuch wicked Iudges the Lord expoſtulateth, Ezech. 13.19.Ezech. 13.19. and 22.12. And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to ſlay the ſoules of them that ſhould not die, and to giuegive life to the ſoules that ſhould not liue? &c. And ſuch hee accuſeth and condemneth, Ezech. 22.12. In thee they hauehave taken gifts to ſhed blood.
And thus hauehave I ſhewed how many miſchiefes the briberie of the Magiſtrates and Iudges, brings vponupon a State,§. Sect. 8. Bribing Judges anſwered, who pretend that they onelyonly take giftes to doe iuſtice. through the peruerting of iuſtice; of all which, ſome will thinke themſelues acquitted, who can truely ſay in their owne defence, that howſoeuer they receiue many gifts, yet it is not for peruerting of righteous iudgement, but onelyonly they take rewards, and gratuities, for the doing of iuſtice, and for the righting of mens wrongs. For as amongſt Sorcerers there are ſome called good, and ſome bad witches; the one curing thoſe diſeaſes which the other hath cauſed, and helping what the other hath hurt; and yet howſoeuer they differ in name, yet in truth they are of one nature; and are both direct witches, who equally labour to enrich Satans kingdome, both with their owne ſoules, and with the ſoules of others who are ſeduced by them: So among bribers, there are ſome, who may be called good in compariſon of others, who take rewards, to right the others wrongs, and releeue thoſe whom others by their vniuſt ſentences hauehave oppreſſed; notwithſtanding theſe are bribers too, corrupt, vnrighteous, and naught, although not altogether of ſo malignant a diſpoſition as the other. For it is as great iniuſtice to inforce a man to buy that which is his owne alreadie, as to giuegive vntounto him that which of right belongeth to another; and hee that goeth thus farre to make iuſtice, which is in her nature free, to become venall, and of a ſlauiſh nature, within a while will be ſo blinded with gifts, that he will not ſticke to ſet iniuſtice alſo to ſale; and as one ſaith: Qui non erubeſcat dicere, Greg. lib. 12. Moral.quid mihi dabis vt tibi iuſtitiam faciam? nonne ſimile est ac ſidicatur, quid mihi vultis dare, vt abnegem, officium perdam, & deum vendam? That is, He that bluſheth not to ſay, what wil you giuegive me, and I will doe you iuſtice? is as readie to ſay; what will you giuegive me, and I will denie to execute iuſtice, neglect my dutie, and ſell God himſelfe? Howſoeuer it is, it cannot be but great preiudice to the vprightneſſe of a Iudge, and a ſhrewd preſumption of his corruption, when as hee receiueth gifts of thoſe who hauehave ſuites depending before him; for as a wife or maide would incurre the danger of iuſt ſuſpition, of hauing an vncleane heart, who being ſolicited by a fornicator to commit whoredome, ſhould receiue his gifts, although ſhe ſhould denie his ſuite: for howſoeuer in word ſhe refuſe his wicked motion, yet indeed ſhe receiueth pledges of his louelove: ſo likewiſe are ſuch Iudges not without cauſe to bee ſuſpected, who receiue gifts of thoſe who labour to peruert iudgement; for howſoeuer in outward ſhew, they make profeſſion of integritie, yet in action they receiue the pawnes of vnrighteouſneſſe, which will cauſe them to preiudice the cauſe, and to hault in the adminiſtration of iuſtice, and to reſpect the perſon of one, more then of another, and the cauſe for the perſons ſake.
Fourthly,§. Sect. 9. Briberie is a cauſe of treacherie and treaſon. the ſinne of bribing is pernicious to the common-wealth, as it is a cauſe of all treacherie and treaſon againſt the State. For he that will not ſticke to ſel iuſtice and iniuſtice, will not ſticke to ſet the common-wealth to ſale alſo, and betray it into the hands of the enemie for large gifts, when he doth but get opportunitie, and can doe it ſafely, ſecretly, and without danger. Of this, great Philip of Macedon had often experience in his time; and therefore he thought no caſtle ſo impregnable, no fort ſo ſtrong, but that there might be found roome and paſſage for an aſſe laden with gold to enter into it. But much more doth this corruption abound in our times; for who ſeeth not, that it is an vſuall thing in the time of warre (as the prouerbe is) Argenteis haſtis pugnare, to fight with ſiluer pikes, to vndermine a State with ſiluer pick-axes, and to batter downe the walles of the beſt defenced Citie with theſe golden bullets? Neither do the great Commanders of theſe times vſually bring their forces againſt any countrie or citie, or venture to winne it by inuaſion and aſſault, before they hauehave firſt made way vntounto themſelues by large gifts, and by corrupting bribes hauehave made a great partie of the aduerſe ſide, or at leaſt ſome ſpeciall men, who may giuegive them from time to time ſecret intelligence of all affaires of the State, of oportunities to bee vſed, and impediments to be remoued, and who will when occaſion ſerues, betray their countrie, as much as in them lieth, into the enemies hand. And by this meanes more cities are ſacked, and more countries ſubdued, then by force of armes and dint of ſword: yea in truth, ſo doth this bribing corruption infect all States in theſe daies, that were it not that the Princes and gouernors (being taught by manifold experience the greatneſſe of this danger) had a moſt vigilant eye to foreſee and ſpie out theſe miſchiefes, and a ſeuere hand to puniſh trecherie when it is diſcouered, ſcarce any State would remaine vnſhaken, and vnruined, by theſe corrupt courſes.
Laſtly, bribing is pernicious to the common-wealth,§. Sect. 10. Bribing bringeth the common wealth to deſtruction. as being in it ſelfe a notable meanes to bring it to deſtruction; for not onelyonly it ouerthroweth iuſtice and truth, which are as it were the ſinewes, wherewith all States are ſtrengthened and held together, and euen the verie pillars vponupon which the good and ſafetie of all common-wealthes are built; which being taken away, the State muſt needs bee weakened, diſſipated and brought to ruine; but alſo it inflameth the fire of Gods wrath againſt that countrie where it much aboundeth, and bringeth downe his fearefull iudgements vponupon it, whereby it will ſoone be deſtroyed, though there were no enemies to oppoſe againſt it. And as this truth is warranted by manifold experience of theſe times, ſo by the infallible word of God which cannot lie.Pro. 29 4. So Prou. 29.4. A King by iudgemen maintaineth the countrie, but a man receiuing gifts deſtroyeth it. The Prophet Ezechiel alſo reckoneth this ſinne of bribing amongſt thoſe capitall ſinnes, which moued the Lord to bring vponupon Ieruſalem, deſtruction and deſolation. Ezech. 22.12.14.15.Ezech. 22.12. The Prophet Micah likewiſe, hauing ſhewed that all ſorts of rulers amongſt the people of Iuda were corrupted with bribing, ſaith, that for this cauſe, Zion ſhould bee plowed as a field, and Ieruſalem ſhould bee made an heape of ſtones, and the mountaine of the houſe, as the high places of the forest: Mich. 3.11.12.Mich. 3.11.12.
CHAP. V. That the ſinne of bribing is excceding hatefull to the Church.
BVt as the ſinue of bribing is pernicious to the common-wealth;§. Sect. 1. Bribing is the dore, whereby inſufficient Miniſters enter. ſo likewiſe it is exceeding hurtfull to the Church. For as Iudas being poſſeſſed with greedie couetouſneſſe, cared not to betray our head Ieſus Chriſt for a reward, ſaying vntounto the high Prieſts, What will you giuegive me and I will betray him; ſo the greedie patrones of theſe dayes, intending onelyonly their owne gaine, ſticke not to betray the body of Chriſt, to wit, his Church into the hands of Ieroboams Prieſts, made of the baſeſt of the people, in the firſt place demanding with Iudas, What will you giuegive me; neuer regarding in the meane while how few their graces bee, whom they preſent, ſo their gifts be manie; nor how vnfit they are to teach the people, ſo they are ſufficient to bring large rewards, or at leaſt to ſubſcribe vntounto bonds, by which they exclude themſelues from the greateſt part of their liuing. Whereby it commeth to paſſe, that the people wanting inſtruction, are deſtroyed for want of knowledge, and remaining blinded with ignorance, are made an eaſie pray to bee ſeduced and miſlead into errors and hereſies, by the Prieſts, Ieſuites, Papiſts, Browniſts, Familiſts, and all other ſectaries and wicked heretiques. Of all which miſchiefes the corrupt bribing, which is vſed in theſe dayes, is the principall cauſe; for if it were not for the gifts of the purſe, the gifts of the mind would be reſpected and preferred. But let all ſuch corrupt patrons know, that they are no better then ſacrilegious theeues in the ſight of God and men, who by robbing the Church of ſuch liuings, which are dedicated and conſecrated vntounto God for holy vſes, do make both thēſelues and their families liable to Gods heauie plagues and fearfull iudgemēts. For if Balthaſar was cut off in Gods wrath for drinking in the veſſels of the Temple, which his predeceſſor Nebuchadnezer had vniuſtly brought into his treaſurie; then what ſhall become of them, who hauehave not onelyonly the moſt part of their plate made of Church-mettall; but alſo hauehave ſacrilegiouſly taken the bread which they eate, and the meate and drinke which they continually feede vponupon,Dan. 5. out of the Churches ſtorehouſe? If Ananias and Sapphira were ſmitten with preſent death, for keeping backe part of the price which was raiſed out of their owne poſſeſſions, after it was conſecrated to the Churches maintenance; then what death and condemnation is due vntounto them, who violently rob and ſpoile the Church of her owne reuenues and lawfull right, vntounto which God in his word, and good Princes by their lawes hauehave intitled it; and wherewith others tendring more Gods glorie, and the flouriſhing eſtate of the Church, then their owne particular, hauehave richly and religiouſly endowed it?
Secondly, by this bribing,§. Sect. 2. By bribing, ſufficient Miniſters are corrupted. euen thoſe Miniſters which are able to teach the people, are ſo corrupted, that they ſpeake not thoſe things which are profitable, but ſuch things as are plauſible to their benefactors; they daube ouer their faults with vntempered morter, promiſing peace where the Lord denounceth warre, and immunitie from puniſhment, when the ſword of Gods iudgement is alreadie drawne, and readie to ſtrike. And of this corruption the Lord accuſeth the Prieſts of Iudah, Mich. 3.11. The heads thereof iudge for rewards, Mich. 3.11.and the Prieſts therof teach for hire, and the Prophets therof prophecie for money, &c.
CHAP. VI. That the ſinne of bribing is moſt pernicious to the briber himſelfe.
ANd thus it appeareth that the ſinne of bribing is pernicious both vntounto Church and Commonwealth.§. Sect. 1. Bribers depriue themſelues of a marke of Gods children. Now in the laſt place it followeth that I ſhew and prooue that as bribers are bad vntounto all others, ſo they are worſt of all to themſelues, in reſpect of the manifold euils which they bring vponupon their owne heads: for firſt, as they depriue themſelues of a notable ſigne of the child of God, who ſhall dwell in his holy mountaine, and be an inheritour of the kingdome of heauen, which is, not to receiue rewards againſt the innocent; Pſal. 15.5.ſo they take vponupon them the marke of deſtruction and condemnation; and carrie as it were vponupon their ſleeue, the badge of a wicked man. So it is ſaid Prou. 17.23.Prou. 17.23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the boſome, to wrest the waies of iudgement. Pſal. 26.10.And theſe are the properties whereby Dauid deſcribeth a bloodie or hainous ſinner: Pſal. 26.11. In whoſe hands is wickedneſſe, and their right hand is full of bribes.
Secondly,§. Sect. 2. Bribes blind the eie of the minde, & corrupt the iudgement. wheras men chiefly excell the brutiſh creatures in the light of reaſon, and in the vſe of the vnderſtanding, and of a ſound iudgement; gifts and rewards blind the eie of the mind, and the affections being therewith corrupted, doe ſo corrupt the iudgement alſo, that they cannot diſcerne betweene right and wrong, truth and falſehood; but like beaſts follow their ſenſe, luſts, and paſſions, rather then the direction of their reaſon and vnderſtanding. And this argument the Lord himſelfe vſeth to inforce his prohibition, concerning taking of bribes, Exod. 23.8. Thou ſhalt take no gift, for the gift blindeth the wiſe, Exod. 23.8. Deut. 16.19. §. Sect. 3. Bribes make men baſe and ſordidous.and peruerteth the words of the righteous. So Deut. 16.19.
Thirdlie, if a man ſuffer himſelfe to be corrupted and ouerſwaied with gifts and rewards; though in his owne nature he be of neuer ſo generous and free a ſpirit, yet in ſhort time it will make him ſo baſe and ſordidous, that there is no pray of ſuch ſmal value, which will not make him ſtoope to ſeaze vponupon it, no courſe or carriage ſo inhumane, diſhonourable and diſhoneſt, which he will not be content to take & vſe, for the inhaunſing of his gaine. This the wiſe man obſerued in his owne experience: Prou. 28.21.Prou. 28.21. To hauehave reſpect of perſons is not good; for that man will tranſgreſſe for a peece of bread. And the Lord accuſeth the rulers of Ieruſalem, not onelyonly for peruerting iudgement, but alſo that they were baſe and ſordidous in their bribing, polluting Gods name by their iniuſtice for handfuls of barlie and peeces of bread, Ezech. 13.19.Ezech. 13.19. In which reſpect ſuch corrupt Iudges are fitly compared to a paire of ſcoles, which when they ſeeme moſt equall, will incline to either ſide by the addition of the leaſt waight, and turne againe to the contrarie ſide, when that waight is ouerpoiſed with a greater.
Fourthlie,§. Sect. 4. Bribing maketh a man obnoxious to Gods fearefull iudgements. 2. King. 5.16.21.27. Iob 15.34. this ſinne of bribing doth make a man liable and obnoxious to Gods fearefull iudgements, both in reſpect of his perſon and ſtate. Of the former we hauehave an example in Gehezi, who taking an vnlawfull bribe from Naaman, had that heauie puniſhment of lothſome leproſie inflicted, both vponupon himſelfe and all his poſteritie: and for the other it is ſaid, that fire ſhall deuoure the houſes of bribes, Iob 15.34. And howſoeuer men thinke (by receiuing rewards to peruert iuſtice and truth) to aduance themſelues and theirs to great wealth and plentie of all things, yet in the end this riches wil melt and vaniſh away, and thoſe who lately flouriſhed in their vniuſt courſes ſhall be brought into pouertie and calamitie, according to the ſaying of the Wiſe man, Prou. 21.6.Prou. 21.6.7. The gathering of treaſure by a deceitfull tongue, is vanitie toſſed to and fro of them that ſeeke death. 7. The robberie of the wicked ſhall deſtroy them, for they hauehave refuſed to execute iudgement.§. Sect. 5. Briberie bringeth Gods curſe, woe and deſtruction. Deut. 27.25. Eſa 5.20.23.24.
Fiftlie, it bringeth vponupon thoſe who are corrupted with it, Gods heauie curſe and malediction, as appeareth, Deut. 27.25. Curſed be he that taketh a reward to put to death innocent blood. It maketh them ſubiect to that fearefull woe denounced, Eſa. 5.20. Woe vntounto them that ſpeake good of euill, and euill of good. Which put light for darkeneſſe, and darkeneſſe for light, &c. 23. Which iustifie the wicked for a reward, and take away the righteouſneſſe of the righteous from him. Yea it bringeth vponupon them vtter deſtruction; For as the fire deuoureth the ſtubble, and as the flame conſumeth chaffe: ſo their roote ſhall be as rottenneſſe, and their bud ſhall riſe vp like dust, becauſe they hauehave caſt off the law of the Lord of hoſts, and contemned the word of the holie one of Iſrael. As it is, verſ. 24.
Laſtlie,§. Sect. 6. Briberie diſinheriteth men of heauen. by theſe bribing courſes they diſinherite themſelues of their heauenly patrimonie, and ſet to ſale the kingdome of heauen for earthly and baſe prifes: for they that take rewards againſt the innocent ſhall neuer dwell in Gods holy mountaine,Pſal. 15.5. as it is, Pſalm. 15.5. So the queſtion being asked who ſhould dwel with ye deuouring fire, and with the euerlaſting burnings; that is, with the Lord, who is called a conſuming fire,Deut. 4.24. Heb. 22.29. Deut. 4.24. Heb. 12.29. anſwere is made; Hee that walketh in iuſtice, and ſpeaketh righteous things, refuſing gaine of oppreſſion, ſhaking his hands from taking of gifts, &c. Hee ſhal dwel on high, Eſa. 13.15.16.&c. as it is Eſa. 33.15.16. So that he who gaineth by oppreſſion, and filleth his hands with bribes, can neuer indure Gods glorious preſence; but ſhall be conſumed like ſtubble with this deuouring fire. To the ſame purpoſe is that,Pro. 15.27. Prou. 15.27. He that hateth bribes ſhall line; whereby contrariwiſe is implied, that he who loueth bribes ſhall not liue, neither the life of grace in this world, nor the life of glorie in the world to come.
By all which it is cleare and manifeſt, that the briber loſeth in his greateſt gaine, for whileſt by his wicked and vniuſt courſes, he compaſſeth ſome earthly trifles, he forgoeth all his title and intreſt in Gods glorious kingdome, and through his worldly prophaneneſſe and ſottiſh follie, he doth with Eſau make ſale of his ſpirituall birthright for a meſſe of pottage, or ſuch like tranſitorie vanities of like value, and leſſe neceſſitie. Whileſt he prouideth for his bodie, hee deſtroyeth his ſoule; whileſt he laboureth after earthly things which are vaine and momentany, he loſeth heauenly things, euen that ſuperexcellent and eternall waight of glorie.2. Cor. 4.17. And whileſt he hourdeth vp the rewards of iniquitie, and gold which ſhall periſh with him; he forgoeth the fruition of the immortall God, in whoſe preſence is fulneſſe of ioy, and at whoſe right hand are pleaſures for euermore: Pſalm. 16.11.Pſal. 16.11. §. Sect. 7. The concluſion.
And thus hauehave I ſhewed the greatneſſe of this ſinne of briberie, and the manifold euils which it bringeth both to priuate perſons, and ſocieties; to whole cōmon-wealths, and to the briber himſelfe. Now as this ſinne is of extraordinarie ſtrength to hold men in ſubiection vntounto it, both in regard of the corruption of mans nature which is moſt prone to intertaine it, and in reſpect of the vniuerſalitie of this ſinne, and the mightie patrons which both countenance it with their practiſe, and defend it with their power: ſo my earneſt prayer vntounto almightie God is, that he wil ioyne with my labours a more then vſuall bleſſing, and an extraordinarie vertue and power of his holy ſpirit, to beate downe this ſtrong hold of ſinue, and to bring vsus in ſubiection to his will, not onelie in things profitable and gaineful, but alſo in thoſe which ſeeme accompanied with loſſe and hindrance. That ſo reſpecting not our owne particular gaine, but his glorie, and doing him faithfull ſeruice in this life, we may raigne with him in eternall glorie in the life to come. The which merciemercy hee vouchſafe for his Chriſts ſake: to whom with the Father and the holie Spirit bee all honour and glorie, praiſe, power and dominion now and for euermore. Amen.
FINIS.
Faults eſcaped.
Pag. 84. line 31. reade, deridetur. p. 101. l. 35. r. ſinners. p. 111. l. 34. marg. r. their. p. 124. l. vlt. r. our owne. p. 129. l. 36. r. run ſecretly. p. 131. l. 35. r. and labour. p. 138. l 6. r. ſtop. p. 144. l. 2. r. theft euen in theft. p. 150. l. 5. r. example, for the ſame ſin the. p. 174. l. 19. r. by inflicting. p. 197. l. 3. r. that they be not. p. 200. l. 11. marg. r. Eccleſ. 3.4. p. 201. l. 35.36. r. whom they ſee outwardly. p. 203. l. 25. r. vultus.
A TREATISE OF ANGER. VVherein is ſhewed the lawfull, laudable, and neceſſarie vſe of iuſt and holy Anger, and what is required thereunto. AND AFTERWARDS IS DECLARED, what corrupt and vniuſt Anger is, the kindes, cauſes, effects, and properties thereof, together with the preſeruatiues and remedies, whereby it may be eyther preuented, or cured and expelled. By IOHN DOVVNAME Batchelar in Diuinitie, and Preacher of Gods Word.
PROV. 26.31.
Hee that is ſlow to Anger is better then the mightie man: and hee that ruleth his owne minde, is better then hee that winneth a Citie.
LONDON: Printed by T. E. for William Welby, dwelling in Paules-Church-yard at the ſigne of the Grayhound. 1609.