A20760:422
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 the more general this vice is,1 the more danger there is of being infected with it, and consequently the greater care and circumspection must be used, to keep our selves from the common pollution of bribing, whether we respect giving or receiving. And to this purpose that we may be more strongly armed against this sin, which whilst it allureth and delighteth, pierceth the very heart and soul; I will set forth the greatness and odiousness thereof, together with the miserable fruits which it bringeth forth, both in respect of particular persons, and whole common-wealths and countries. That it is a sin to bribe, appeareth hereby, in that the Scriptures forbid and condemn it. Exod. 23.8.2 Thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise &c. The which is repeated and by repetition confirmed, Deut. 16.19.3 wrest not thou the law, nor respect any person; neither take reward &c. Yea not only is it condemned as a sin by the Scriptures, which is the exact rule of justice; but also by the light of nature, though much decayed and corrupted. For even Heathen men have abhorred bribing, as a corrupting sore, which eateth out the heart of all virtuous carriage, and as a fretting canker which devoureth whole societies and common-wealths. Ephialtes, although a poor man,4 refused great gifts when they were offered, because, as he said, he should thereby be moved to deal unjustly, if his benefactors importuned him; or be condemned as ungrateful for not requiting their benefits. Alcumenes said, that he could not receive gifts, 5and keep peace with the laws. Phociō receiving an hundred talents as a gift from Alexander, demanded of the messenger wherefore it was sent to him, rather then to any other of the Athenians; and upon this answer returned, Because he knew him to be an honest and just man; he replied again: Why ⟨p. 214⟩