A20760:442
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.
This likewise appeareth by examples.1 When Samuel's sons would not walk in their fathers ways; which was to administer justice indifferently without respect of persons, or taking bribes,2 as himself protesteth to the people 1. Sam. 12.3. ⟨p. 225⟩but did turn aside after lucre, and took rewards; then they also perverted judgement, as it is 1. Sam 8.3.3 So the Magistrates of Israel being corrupted with greedy covetousness, made rewards the very end and main scope of their judgement, Mich. 3.11. Yea even righteous David, 4a man according to Gods own hart, was so entangled and corrupted with Zibaes bribe, that he unjustly condemned innocent Mephibosheth before his cause was ever heard; and when the injustice of this sentence appeared, by that just apology which he made for himself;5 yet was he so possessed with Ziba his gift and false report, that neither the love which himself bare to justice, nor the remembrance of the unmatchable kindness and manifold benefits, which he had received from his dear Jonathan, could move him to revoke wholly his unrighteous judgement, nor to inflict upon this insinuating vassal deserved punishment, for his treachery towards his innocent master. So hard a thing it is to entertain unpartial justice, when the heart is forestalled with rewards, or to walk in the narrow path of righteousness, when the eye of judgement is hoodwinked with bribes.
This likewise appeareth by examples.1 When Samuels sons would not walke in their fathers waies; which was to administer iustice indifferently without respect of persons, or taking bribes,