A20760:436
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.
CHAP. IIII. That bribery is hurtful and pernicious to the Commonwealth.
CHAP. IIII. That briberie is hurtfull and pernicious to the Commonwealth.
But as bribers do destroy private families;1 so they are alike hurtful and pernicious to whole countries and Common-wealths: for first, bribery overthroweth Magistracy, and all lawful government, and bringeth with it an anarchy and confusion. To which purpose one saith, that oblatio muneris tinea est regiminis; 2Bribing is the moth of government. For howsoever men hold the places and have the authority of Magistrates, yet if they love gifts they will so charm them that they will have no eyes to see disorders, nor ears to hear complaints, nor understanding to discern between good and evil right or wrong, but as they are informed and lead by those who bribe them. Whereupon a large door is opened to all disorder and licentious liberty, no man being restrained from any wickedness, but those who are unable to bring gifts, and to make their peace by rewards.
BVt as bribers doe destroy priuate families;1 so they are alike hurtfull and pernicious to whole countries and Common-wealths: for first, briberie ouerthroweth Magistracie, and all lawfull gouernment, and bringeth with it an anarchie and confusion. To which purpose one saith, that oblatio muneris tinea est regiminis;