A20760:417
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.
But as there are many forward proficients in this art of bribing, so none goeth before many lawyers of these times;1 who in respect of their skill and deep reach into these wicked mysteries, may justly deserve to be esteemed not only Masters of this art, but even Doctors and professors. For what matter is so foul and unjust, which many of them will not countenance and defend for an extraordinary reward? what title so strong and clear, which they are not ready to undermine and overthrow for the gaining of an ample bribe? Neither are the lay estate and common-wealths alone tainted with this corruption, but the infection of this vice hath corrupted the Church likewise. For if we look into the schools of the Prophets, the seminaries of learning and religion, we shall find that the preferments which by the founders of Colleges were destinated and appropriated to those who were poorest in purse, most destitute of friends, and worthiest in gifts, both of piety and learning; are now sometimes conferred upon such, as are able to make most friends by gifts and rewards, though altogether unfit and unworthy of them. So likewise the preferments of the Church are in these times by the same means compassed in many places; for thieves and intruders enter the Church door by the help of these golden picklocks. Neither is it now any great furtherance to the obtaining of Church preferments, that a man by laborious study hath attained unto depth of learning and eminency of gifts; for though his head be never so full fraught with knowledge, yet if his hands be empty ⟨p. 212⟩of bribes, he may have leave to stand without doors; and though he have the tongue of the learned, yet he shall never persuade his greedy patron, unless he can make golden verses, and move him to hearken with a silver sounding voice. Yea in truth learning in these times is accidentally an hinderance to the obtaining the rewards of learning: for if that money were saved which is laid out upon books and candles, and bestowed in gifts and bribes; and if that time were spent in laying cunning plots, for the procuring of preferments, which is bestowed in making men worthy to be preferred; it would prove a far readier and speedier course, to compass these preferments;
But as there are many forward proficients in this art of bribing, so none goeth before many lawyers of these times;1