Four sermons preachedFoure sermons preached

But if these great thieves (I mean our biting Usurers) that rob and spoil without ceasing when they have no need, might find no more favour, than those petty thieves which rob and steal sometime, when they are driven thereto by extreme necessity, then surely the Common-wealth would soon be disburdened of that pestilent brood of Caterpillars wherewith it is pestered. I wish them betimes to look to their own estate, and with Zaccheus to forsake their damnable trade. If they have lived hitherto by the gain of usury, let them now lament their sin, and call to God for mercy and forgiveness, let them make restitution of that they have wrongfully taken, and grieve that they have so long detained that which is none of theirs. ⟨image 47⟩For as no sin is pardoned without repentance to God, so usury is not pardoned without repentance to God: and as the sin of theft is not removed, before restitution be made to men (if the party be able,) so the sin of usury (which is a secret theft) is not remitted, before restitution be made to those that are oppressed and spoiled by this secret theft. Thus you have seen how Zaccheus that was once a hoarder of his goods, as our rich men are, is now a liberal disposer of his goods, as I wish they were. He that lately was a Camel laden with riches, and therefore unapt to go through a needles eye, hath now like the Camel cast off his rich lading, ¹and therefore may enter in at the narrow gate. Some rich men would rather have lost their lives, than forgone ²their goods, and for half that loss would have proved very pensive: but this was the joyfullest news that ever came to Zaccheus house, sweeter to him than all his gold and silver: that where as before, he was in the state of damnation, now salvation is promised to him and his house: and whereas before, he was the servant of Satan, now he is become the child of Abraham: Now Zaccheus house is become Gods house, and Zaccheus himself is the son of Abraham, and therefore no cause why Christ should not resort to Zaccheus house. As Christ said to the penitent thief, This day shalt thou be with me in paradise: so he saith here ³to the penitent Publican, This day salvation is come unto thy house, and this day thou art become the child of Abraham. Christ loveth not to be long in any mans debt: for as he saith to Zaccheus, To day I must abide at thy house: