A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

This Rapine, again, having a sort of pretext, becometh Oppression, when a man by power, favour, or such like, outreacheth and goeth beyond his title, and indamageth the party with which he contendeth more then his right or title would warrant him to do; and this may be in great men over their inferiors, as Masters over Servants, of Landlords over Tenants, of Magistrates over People or Subjects; and in all these, who any way make use of greatness to distress others, or thrust at them, either to make them quit a right they have, or by retaining from them what is their due, or by exacting by their title what is really prejudicial to the others property, even though by oppression the person be made willing to condescend. Thus also over-powering of others in Law-suits and Courts, and making use of moyen to bear them down in their right, is interpreted by God as Oppr sion.

This Rapine, again, having a sort of pretext, becometh Oppression, when a man by power, favour, or such like, outreacheth and goeth beyond his title, and indamageth the party with which he contendeth more then his right or title would warrant him to do; and this may be in great men over their inferiours, as Masters over Servants, of Landlords over Tenants, of Magistrates over People or Subjects; and in all these, who any way make use of greatness to distress others, or thrust at them, either to make them quit a right they have, or by retaining from them what is their due, or by exacting by their title what is really prejudicial to the others property, even though by oppression the person be made willing to condescend. Thus also over-powering of others in Law-suits and Courts, and making use of moyen to bear them down in their right, is interpreted by God as Oppr •ssion.

For the second, to wit, Theft, more properly it looketh to all ways, whereby, without pretext of violence, another is wronged: This is again divided in four, 1. If it be a wrong done to a Common-wealth, it is called Peculatus, which in a large acceptation includeth not only private men, or Magistrates, stealing or robbing the public treasure, but also Collectors, Questors, and others that are in such like offices, who, ⟨p. 401⟩