228 That bribery is pernicious to the common-wealth. pofition as theother . For it is as great iniuflice to inforc e a man tobuy that which is his owne already , as togiue vnto him that whichof right be!ongeth toanother; and he that goeth thus farre tomake iullice , which is in her nature free, tobecome venal!, and ofa flauifh nature, within a while will be foblinded with gifts, that he will not fücke to fet iniuflice alto toPale; and as one faith : Qi non erubefcat dicere, quid Greg.14.1z. mihi dabis vt tibi iuftiamfaciam ? nonnefrmileeft ìccfidica- mora1, tur,quid mihivultis dare,vt abnegem, o f ciumperdam,& de.. um vendarn: That is,i-lic that blufherh not to lay, whatwil you giueme, and I will doe you iullice ? is as ready to lay ; what will you giue me, and will denie to execute iullice, neglca my duty, and fell God himtelfe ? Howfoeuer it is,it cannot be but great preiudice to the vprightncffeofalodge, and a fhrewd prefumption ofhis corruption, when ashe receiueth gifts of thole who have fuites depending btfore him ; for asawife or maide would incurre the danger ofhill fufpition, ofhauing an itncleane heart, whobeing folicited bya'for. nicator to commit whoredorne, fhould receiue his gifts, although fhe fhoulddeny his fuite: for howfoeuer in word the refufe his wicked motion , yet indeed fhe receiued pledges of his loue :fo likewife are fuch Iodges not with- out caufe tobee fufpeecied , who receiue giftsoftholewho labour to peruert judgement; for howfceuer in outward fhew,thcymake profellionofintegritie, yet in aáion they receiue the pawnes of vnrighteoufncfie., which will carife them to prejudice thecaufe, and to halt in the adminifira- tion ofiuflice,and to refpcc4 theperfonofone,more thenof another,and thecaufc for theperfonsfake. 5.5eft.9. Fourthly , the finne of bribing is pernicious to the com- Bribery is mon-wealth , as it is a caufe of all treachery and treafon a- sanjeoftrea- gainfi the State . For he that will not flicketo fell iufiice and cberyand iniuflice, will notflicketó let the cdmmon-wealth to fate trea¡on. alto, and betray it into thehands of the enemy for large gifts, when bee doth but get opportunitie, and candoe it íafdy, fecretly ,andwithout danger. Of this, great Philip ofMacedon had often experience in his time; and therefore he thought no cattle fo impregnable , rio fortCo (lrong,but that
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