A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

To man: and this in matters either of Equity, or Charity. Of Equity:ⁱ If I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four fold.^k This necessity Nehemiah imposed on Israel: first by entreaty; I pray you let us leave off this Usury. Next by command, Restore to them their lands and vineyards, and the moneys of your exactions: then by an oath, he took an Oath of them to perform this. Lastly, by a Sacramental curse to the refusers, shaking the lap of his garment; So God shake out every man from his house, that performeth not this promise: even thus shall he be shaken out and emptied: and all the Congregation said, Amen. The very Barbarians abhor the neglect of restitution: A great Lady being a widow, called to her an English Merchant, trafficking in those parts, with whom she knew her husband had some commerce, and asked him if there were nothing owing to him from her deceased Lord: he after her much importunity acknowledged what, and showed the particulars. She tendered him satisfaction, yea (and after his many modest refusals, as being greatly benefited by the dead Barbarian) she forced him to take of her hand the uttermost penny: saying thus; I would not have my husbands soul go to seek your soul in hell, to pay his debts. Here was a fire in a dark vault, great zeal in blind ignorance: they saw by the candle-light of Nature. What Saint Augustine delivers for doctrinall Truth, Non remittitur peccatum nisi restituatur oblatum: Where is no restitution of things unjustly gotten, there sins shall never be forgiven. Of Charity; for even this is but a restitution: Give me, saith GOD, of that I have given thee: De meo quaero, non de tuo; I ask not for thine, but for mine own: Give and restore; Petimúsque damúsque vicissim; If we do not give alms according to our power, GOD will sue us of an ⟨p. 51⟩action of Detinie. Quare non dedisti? meo jure, tua dispensation, Matth. 25. Why did you not give things that were mine by right, yours only by use and dispensation; whereof you were not proprietaries and Lords, but accountant Stewards? Cyprian. Improbi dant multa propter cruciantem Diabolum, nos reddemus nihil propter salvantem Dominum? Reprobates will part with many things for a tormenting devil, and shall we restore nothing for our saving God? most men think when they give, that God and man is beholding to them: