Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But besides this, Moses meant to show here the chief causes of all the impeachments of Justice. For (as I said afore) if we have an eye alonely to the deed, without respecting the person, so as we be not possessed aforehand either with favour or with hatred: it is certain that we can skill to give sentence aright. And if it could be brought to pass that the parties should not come in sight, that it might not be known who were the plaintiff and who §30the defendant; so as the Judges might not be allured and carried away either with bribery, or with flattery, or with lies and glosses, or with such other things; but that the case might be laid before them simply and nakedly as it is: we should not see the thing which all the world now rueth, that is to wit, that men commonly can obtain no right and Justice. For by nature (as I said) we can well enough skill to say, this is good, this is just, this is upright. But §40as soon as the parties come in our sight, that we see they be our neighbours or friends; or the one a great man or a rich man, and the other a poor man; and there is bringing of allegations on both sides, so as one seeks to win the goal by threatenings and brags, another by sweet words and presents, and bribery trotteth a pace to make way: all then will be turned upside-down, and they which saw clearly before, become now stark blind. And therefore §50let us mark, that it had been enough to have said in one word, that men must not pervert the law▪ but that men are unable to keep themselves from evil, if they be not told how and after what manner they may maintain themselves in soundness and uprightness: namely by having no regard of the persons, and by shunning all covetousness, for taking of rewards.

But besides this, Moses ment to shewe heere the cheefe causes of all the impeachmentes of Iustice. For (as I sayd afore) if wee haue an eye alonely to the deede, without respecting the person, so as wee bee not possessed aforehande eyther with fauour or with hatred: it is certaine that wee can skill to giue sentence aright. And if it coulde bee brought to passe that the parties should not come in sight, that it might not be knowen who were the playntife and who §30the defendant; so as the Iudges might not bee allured and carryed away either with bryberie, or with flatterie, or with lyes and gloses, or with such other thinges; but that the case might bee layde before them simply and nakedly as it is: wee should not see the thing which all the world now reweth, that is to wit, that men commonly can obteine no right and Iustice. For by nature (as I sayd) we can wellynough skill to say, this is good, this is iust, this is vpright. But