A20760:416
Four treatises tending to dissuade all Christians from four no less heinous then common…Foure treatises tending to disswade all Christians from foure no lesse hainous then common…
Four treatises tending to dissuade all Christians from four no less heinous then common sins; namely, the abuses of swearing, drunkenness, whoredom, and bribery. Wherein the greatness and odiousness of these vices is discovered; and the means and remedies, which may either preserve, or wean men from them, are propounded. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of anger. By John Downame Bachelor in Divinity, and preacher of Gods word.Foure treatises tending to disswade all Christians from foure no lesse hainous then common sinnes; namely, the abuses of swearing, drunkennesse, whoredome, and briberie. Wherein the greatnes and odiousnesse of these vices is discouered; and the meanes and remedies, which may either preserue, or weane men from them, are propounded. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of anger. By Iohn Dovvname Batcheler in Diuinitie, and preacher of Gods word.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for William Welby, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So heretofore men were preferred unto offices for their service, sufficiency and desert; but now the usual entrance into them is by large gifts; which way is so common, by reason all the other passages are stopped up, that men are not ashamed to pass through it at noon day; and without blushing to justify their entrance. Now what wonder is it if these men who entered ⟨p. 211⟩into their places by bribing, do in the execution of them live by extortion? or that paying for them only for term of life, more then would purchase a fee simple of like value, if they took no more but due and ordinary fees, they should take unjust courses to help their bargain, and to keep themselves from beggary? Neither is this fault only now to be found among some cunning courtiers, who have come to their skill by much study, and long experience; but even amongst Magistrates in cities, who are grown more skilful in cunning handling of a bribing match, than in their own professions & trades, for learning whereof they have served seven years apprenticeship.
So heretofore men were preferred vnto 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 ⟨p. 211⟩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 haue 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 haue serued seuē yeres apprentiship.