The bright star which leadeth wise men to our Lord Jesus Christ, or, A…

Secondly, for whom ever it be, go not above your ability, promise not for so much as might hurt your family, and impair your estate if it must be taken from you, for when one is surety, he binds himself to pay if the principal do not, and if he do not mean to do it, or cannot do, this is a mere dissembling and plain cozenage of him to whom he makes the bond, and how can it be counted better then a lye when he promiseth to do that which he neither can perform though he would, nor purposeth to perform though he could. If any one therefore have offended this way, let him know and confess that it was his rashness and folly, and then his best way is to repent and crave pardon of God, and beseech him to make a supply of his wants. But so long as one continues these speeches, O I was deceived, and I meant well, and I did it of good will; and he hath dealt ill with me, so long I say as one lays the fault upon another thus, & posts it of from himself, so long he is far enough from repentance, and shall be far enough from comfort; the cross and curse do both remain upon as yet; that is not the way to lay it upon another, it was long of his unfaithfulness, and ill dealing with me; nay it was long of your own unfaithfulness and ill dealing with your family, it was long of your wisdom, that you did not advise upon the matter, crave assistance at Gods hands, and ask counsel of his word, and of his servants. If you had taken this course which is the right course, you had been safe, but now that you are fallen, the best way is not to lye crying and exclaiming against him that was an occasion of your fall, but seek how to rise up again, take the right physic, and go to the right physician.

Secondly, for whom euer it be, goe not aboue your abilitie, promise not for so much as might hurt your familie, and impayre your estate if it must be taken from you, for when one is suretie, he bindes himselfe to pay if the principall doe not, and if hee doe not meane to doe it, or cannot doe, this is a meere dissembling and plaine cousenage of him to whom he makes the bond, and how can it be counted better then a lye when he promiseth to doe that which he neither can performe though he would, nor purposeth to performe though he could. If any one therefore haue offended this way, let him know and confesse that it was his rashnesse and folly, and then his best way is to repent and craue pardon of God, and beseech him to make a supplie of his wants. But so long as one continues these speeches, O I was deceiued, and I meant well, and I did it of good will; and he hath dealt ill with me, so long I say as one laies the fault vpon another thus, & postes it of from himfelfe, so long he is farre enough from repentance, and shall be farre enough from comfort; the crosse and curse doe both remayne vpon as yet; that is not the way to lay it vpon another, it was long of his vnfaithfulnesse, and ill dealing with me; nay it was long of your owne vnfaithfulnes and ill dealing with your family, it was long of your wisedome, that you did not aduise vpon the matter, craue assistance at Gods hands, and aske counsell of his word, and of his seruants. If you had taken this course which is the right course, you had beene safe, but now that you are falne, the best way is not to lye crying and exclaiming against him that was an occasion of your fall, but seeke how to rise vp againe, take the right phisicke, and goe to the right phisition.