A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

This sin is not here confined: Covetousness in diverse others, thought it do […] make merchandise of mens souls, yet of their estates. Bribery in officers which is a Burning sin. Job. 15.34. It is one of those three, that are called mighty s•••• Am. 5.12 They sell a man and his heritage; they are very thieves, Esa. 1.23. Why Thieves? because they Love gifts, and take bribes for the widow and fat•• less. They are thieves, not for taking purses in the high way, but bribes in their chambers. Hos. 4.18. Their language is Give: and the thieves is but, D•••. Now what is the difference betwixt, Give and Deliver; yet often (Give) walk•• chains of gold, while (Deliver) lies in chains of iron. Evil men in the places […] judicature make merchandise of the poor: while they spin one cause through••• three generations. Like Surgeons that keep the wound raw, to draw out of it […] more money. That often the recovery of a mans right by Law, is as dear as if […] had bought it by purchase.¹ Corrupt lawyers are also merchants in this trade of ••• tousnesse, and selling of men. p Absaloms tong is in their heads; that says to all • ents; Thy cause is good: so he stole away their hearts, and these steal their estates. ⟨p. 457⟩The buyer says of a good commodity with less sin, It is naught: than these speak of a naughty cause, It is good. Let them meditate the objection of Joash; ^qWill ye plead for Baal? But they do it out of a good mind, to fifth out the truth: yes, as Judas did, (according to the heresy of the Cainites, as Saint Augustine relates it) that betrayed Christ out of a good and honest mind, fore-seeing the infinite good that his death should bring to the world.