A godly and learned exposition vppon the Prouerbes of Solomon: written in French by Maister Michael Cope, minister of the woorde of God, at Geneua: and translated into English, by M.O.

16 A mans gift enlargeth him, and leadeth him before great men.

Solomon hath heeretofore rebuked the couetousnesse and vn∣iustice of Magistrates, Iudges, and gouernours of the earth. And be∣cause * 1.1 that such wickednesses doe reigne and abounde in the worlde, and are rooted so deepe in mens heartes, that at al times and in al countries they haue spread forth their branches, and brought forth their wicked fruites: hee is not satisfied with the foresaide repre∣hensions: but to make these couetous, vngodly & wicked theeues, which occupie the seate of God, the more vnexcusable, hee doeth touche and reprooue them for this, that the poore which bring thē no giftes, are troden downe and oppressed, and as compelled, and not of free accesse, but onely they which bring giftes are best wel∣come, when hee saith, A mans gift, &c. Heere hee compareth the presenter of giftes vnto a messenger that is thought to bring some good newes, or that commeth from some greate Lorde: they wil make those stande backe which hinder him to passe and come neere, to doe his message: they wil giue place vnto him, and bring him to the kings chamber, and shalbe wel receiued, not only of the meane sorte, but of the king himselfe and of the greatest nobles of his

court. Euen so is it with him that bringeth giftes: he is wil come to∣wardes wicked iudges, they wil not let him tarrie and waite at the gate to catche colde, or for to be preassed and thrust of with one & then with another, which come and waite at the gate: but the gate is opened so soone as hee commeth, and is brought in. Hee calleth heere the wicked iudges and magistrates great men, because that God hath raysed them vp into authoritie, and that they are in so excellent an estate, that others are subiect vnto them: or that them∣selues * 1.2 doe praise themselues, and esteeme themselues so much, that they thinke none ought to come neere vnto thē, except they please. Nowe after what sorte soeuer he calleth them greate, yet doth hee put them in minde of their office, teaching them that they ought not to humble and abace themselues so lowe, as to become slaues & bondmen to giftes and presents: the which they bee, when they re∣ceiue them: for they do binde themselues to doe that wherfore the gift was giuen them, and cannot doe otherwise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Pro. 17. 8. 23.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 13. 1.