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

Not by gaming and such means, without any sufficient consideration and exchange; for this is theft, these be cursed means, that bring a curse with the unlawful gain, and such a man makes himself excommunicate in the hearts of Gods people, and brings hardness of heart upon himself, and much mischief beside. But if the calling wherein a man exerciseth himself, be warranted and sanctified of God to this use, then care must be had, and that as much that the means which one useth in his calling be agreeable, if it be by dissembling, and lying by false weights or false measures, by false commending or discommending above measure, or by any such like unconscionable ways, this is uniustice and a breach of this commandment. Therefore let the calling be good, and the means good, and then a man may with a good conscience take the blessing. And this is justice in getting: now for restoring. This must also be observed, that if any have in former time been crafty and deceitful, and dealt injuriously with his neighbour, though happily it be hidden from men, and the world cannot lay it to his charge, yet his own heart knows it, and his own conscience will not pass it over so, but he must hear of it. If I say ones soul tell him that he hath thus wrongfully entreated his neighbour, if he will be accounted a just man, and have the former offence blotted out, and the mouth and clamour of his conscience stopped from those fierce and bitter accusations whereby it vexeth and disquieteth unrepentant sinners, he must see that he make restitution; let the servant go to the master and the goods return home to the owner who hath the right title unto them. This is commanded. Levit. 6. 2. If any sin and commit a trespass against the Lord, and deny unto his neighbour that which was taken him to trust, &c. then in the first verse he shall both restore it in the whole sum, and add the fifth part more thereto. Where the holy Ghost appointeth that if a man have been any way injurious to his neighbour, either by denying that which was lent him, or having found a thing lost, and knowing the owner, by retaining it, or by any other such like dealing, if ever he will have God hear his prayer, and receive ⟨image 174⟩his sacrifice, before his offering he must make recompense, the enterest and the fifth part, &c.

Not by gamning and such meanes, without any sufficient consideration and exchaunge; for this is theft, these be cursed meanes, that bring a curse vvith the vnlawfull gaine, and such a man makes himselfe excommunicate in the hearts of Gods people, and brings hardnesse of heart vpon himselfe, and much mischiefe beside. But if the calling wherein a man exerciseth himselfe, be warranted and sanctified of God to this vse, then care must be had, and that as much that the meanes which one vseth in his calling be agreeable, if it be by dissembling, and lying by false weights or false measures, by false commending or discommending aboue measure, or by any such like vnconscionable waies, this is vniustice and a breach of this commaundement. Therefore let the calling be good, and the meanes good, and then a man may with a good conscience take the blessing. And this is iustice in getting: now for restoring. This must also be obserued, that if any haue in former time beene craftie and deceitfull, and dealt iniuriously with his neighbour, though happily it be hidden from men, and the world cannot lay it to his charge, yet his owne heart knowes it, and his owne conscience will not passe it ouer so, but he must heare of it. If I say ones soule tell him that he hath thus wrongfully entreated his neighbour, if he will be accounted a iust man, and haue the former offence blotted out, and the mouth and clamour of his conscience stopt from those fierce and bitter accusations whereby it vexeth and disquieteth vnrepentant sinners, he must see that he make restitution; let the seruant goe to the master and the goods returne home to the owner who hath the right title vnto them. This is commaunded.