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<p>Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, <a class="bibleref" title="Prov.17.8,Prov.17.23" href="/passage/?search=Prov.17.8,Prov.17.23"><span class="bibleref" title="Prov.17.8">Prov. 17:8</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Prov.17.23">23</span></a>. Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far, 1. Towards a man’s liberty: <i>A man’s gift</i>, if he be in prison, may procure his enlargement; there are courtiers, who, if they use their interest even for oppressed innocency, expect to receive a gratuity for it. Or, if a mean man know not how to get access to a great man, he may do it by a fee to his servants or a present to himself; those will make room for him. 2. Towards his preferment. It will bring him to sit among <i>great men</i>, in honour and power. See how corrupt the world is when men’s gifts will not do, though ever so great; nay, will gain that for them which they are unworthy of and unfit for; and no wonder that those take bribes in their offices who gave bribes for them. <i>Vendere jura potest, emerat ille prius—He that bought law can sell it</i>.</p>
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