A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…

Reasons. 1 First, many great men do greatly affect rewards, and make more reckoning of them by far, than of all lawful fees, and that allowance which is due to their place: as in our text here, they set by them as if they were rich gems and jewels. And Hosea complained, that their Rulers [said] with ¹shame, Give ye.

Reasons. 1 First, many great men do greatly affect rewards, and make more reckoning of them by farre, than of all lawfull fees, and that allowance which is due to their place: as in our text heere, they set by them as if they were rich gemmes and iewels. And Hosea complained, that their Rulers [said] with ¹shame, Giue yee.

1. 1Hos. 4. 18.

Secondly, there is a kind of venom within them, whereby the receivers of them have their hearts poisoned, that they are utterly estranged from equity and justice. They are so enchanted with the liking of that which is presented to their sight, and offered to their hands, that the briber hath thereby brought them to be his servants; they may not deny to do the drudgery of gross injustice, for which he hath hired them. It is noted of Samuel's sons, that (notwithstanding the precepts and practise of their worthy father, who may be an example of all Judges and Magistrates for continency from corruptions) they walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took rewards, and perverted the judgement. ¹The Lord foresaw what work rewards would make, when he said in his Law, Thou shalt take no gift; for the gift ²