Sermons upon Deuteronomy

And let us mark that as Judges and Magistrates are forbidden to have any respect of persons: so is the same warning made to us all. For what is the cause that we fail so oft in doing our duties, but that we be so prevented with this respecting of parties? Therefore let us have such stoutness of courage, as no greatness, no pomp, no authority, no honour of this world may get the upper hand of us to pervert us. And on the other side, let us have such mildness as we despise not the meaner sort, but rather be gentle to receive them. Thus much in effect concerning the word Person.

And let vs marke that as Iudges and Magistrates are forbidden to haue any respect of persons: so is the same warning made to vs all. For what is the cause that wee fayle so ofte in dooing our dueties, but that wee bee so preuented with this respecting of parties? Therefore let vs haue such stoutnes of corage, as no greatnes, no pompe, no authoritie, no honour of this world may get the vpper hand of vs to peruert vs. And on the other side, let vs haue such myldnesse as wee despise not the meaner sorte, but rather bee gentle to receiue them. Thus much in effect concerning the woorde Person.

Now there is a second point concerning bribery and rewards. Thou shalt not take them, saith the Lord. He saith not, thou shalt not sell Justice: but he saith, thou shalt not take. And why so? he addeth the reason: For gifts (saith he) do blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. Here is a reason well worthy to be weighed. For it seemeth at the first sight, that to take some presents is not evil nor to be condemned, I mean in a Jugde. For he speaketh here of the presents and gifts that are given in respect of some case that is to be heard. As for example, a malefactor laboureth to scape unpunished, and he goeth about to win the Judge by sending him some present. Likewise another man puts himself forward, and to have favour against his adversary party, he goes and gives the Judge somewhat likewise. Now our Lord saith not, Beware of it: If thou receive a present to favour the party that giveth it thee, it is ill done, and it is a setting of Justice to sale. God speaketh not those precise words: but he saith, Beware of taking: for it is unpossible that he which hath taken, should behave himself uprightly and not swerve aside. Nevertheless there are a great sort to be found which will say, As for me, although I take, yet doth it not therefore follow, that I will swerve from mine office: For when I have taken on both hands, I will give him the glike which thought he had won me by his giving. And is that so evil a thing? Why then was he so foolish to bring it me? If he bring, I take: but yet for all that, I step not aside from my duty. Such kind of folks would make GOD a liar. For we hear how it is said here, that gifts do blind the eyes of the wise. If they think themselves so sharp sighted, that the receiving of rewards cannot dim their eyes: God saith the contrary. And if they think themselves so constant, that they cannot be bowed; God telleth them that as soon as they have taken any gift, they be utterly marred, and there is no more soundness in them. Now then it is too gross a fondness to say, I will take rewards, & yet for all that, I will keep my self well enough from turning away, or from swerving from the right. But that is unpossible; for then should God have lied in this text. Thus ye see what we have to remember in the first place, concerning the second point.