The hand-maid of repentance. Or, A short treatise of restitution. Written by Arth

If thou findest any thing belonging to an other man, and makest not restitution thereof unto him: the very withholding is mere rapine. For herein thou hast performed thy uttermost; and hast not done more, because thou couldest not. To deny a man that which is his own, is all one as if thou hadst taken it from him.

If thou findest any thing belonging to an other man, and makest not restitution thereof vnto him: the very withholding is meere rapine. For herein thou hast performed thy vttermost; and hast not done more, because thou couldest not. To deny a man that which is his owne, is all one as if thou hadst taken it from him.

If thou confess thy self an offender, in taking and detaining an other mans goods, and thereof outwardly repent thee: yet if, having it in thy power to make restitution, thou still detain them; thy repentance, howsoever thou makest show thereof, is not true, but ⟨image 17⟩feigned. But without true repentance there is no remission: and his repentance is good indeed, which restores the cause thereof to the right owners; always provided that the Penitent have the ability to perform it.

If thou confesse thy selfe an offender, in taking and detaining an other mans goods, and thereof outwardly repent thee: yet if, hauing it in thy power to make restitution, thou still detaine them; thy repentance, howsoeuer thou makest shew thereof, is not true, but ⟨image 17⟩fained. But without true repentance there is no remission: and his repentance is good indeede, which restores the cause therof to the right owners; alwaies prouided that the Penitent haue the abilitie to performe it.