Instruction not only to shun and have in detestation, that Use. odious, though plausible sin of rash and causeless suretyship, but also with due deliberation, and judgement to inform our selves of their ability, and honesty whom we accept of for sureties. It is safer and easier at the first to reject him that would circumvent us, whiles we retain our money or goods in our hands, then afterwards to hunt him, when we have already sustained the loss. But as for them that are constrained sometimes to follow suites by reason of evil debtors, by whom otherwise their state would be impaired, and their families wronged, let them always proceed more strictly against a wretchlesse surety that is without care, though the due be never discharged, then a poor well-meaning principal, that is without means to discharge the due. But what if he be beggarly also, and unable to make payment? yet let him bear the burden of his pride, and dissimulation, that took upon him the person of a rich man, and made not his necessity known, but boasted so of his wealth and ability, as if he had not only to maintain himself, but to satisfy other mens debts. Yet this is not to be extended against ⟨p. 136⟩all sureties: for many dealt seriously, though imprudently, when they gave their bonds with purpose to make that good which the debtor himself should fail of, but their estates are decayed since, aswell as the principals that they cannot perform it: and to those thus already afflicted, it were inhumane to add affliction by extremity. And many running headily into this sin, when they were ignorant, do now discern the danger of it, and do unfeignedly bewail having gotten understanding: unto these therefore, being humbled for their fault, and submitting themselves, the more lenity and mercy is to be showed. And many, though themselves be as foolish, false, and unthrifty as ever they were, yet have wives, and children more innocent and harmless, who must of necessity, fall into great wants and calamities, if they be pursued with rigour. And these are somewhat to be spared, though not for their own sakes, yet for their families.
Instruction not onely to shunne and haue in detestation, that Vse. odious, though plausible sinne of rash and causelesse suretieship, but also with due deliberation, and iudgement to informe our selues of their hability, and honesty whom we accept of for sureties. It is safer and easier at the first to reiect him that would circumuent vs, whiles we reteine our money or goods in our hands, then afterwards to hunt him, when wee haue already sustained the losse. But as for them that are constrained sometimes to follow suites by reason of euil debtors, by whom otherwise their state would be impaired, and their families wronged, let them alwaies proceede more strictly against a wretchlesse surety that is without care, though the due be neuer discharged, then a poore wel-meaning principall, that is without meanes to discharge the due. But what if he be beggarly also, and vnable to make payment? yet let him beare the burthen of his pride, and dissimulation, that tooke vpon him the person of a rich man, and made not his necessity knowne, but boasted so of his wealth and hability, as if he had not onely to maintaine himselfe, but to satisfie other mens debts. Yet this is not to be extended against ⟨p. 136⟩all sureties: for many dealt seriously, though imprudently, when they gaue their bonds with purpose to make that good which the debtor himselfe should faile of, but their estates are decaied since, aswell as the principals that they cannot performe it: and to those thus already afflicted, it were inhumane to adde affliction by extremity. And many running headily into this sinne, when they were ignorant, doe now discerne the daunger of it, and doe vnfainedly bewaile hauing gotten vnderstanding: vnto these therefore, being humbled for their fault, and submitting themselues, the more lenity and mercie is to be shewed. And many, though themselues be as foolish, false, and vnthriftie as euer they were, yet haue wiues, and children more innocent and harmelesse, who must of necessity, fall into great wants and calamities, if they be pursued with rigour. And these are somewhat to be spared, though not for their owne sakes, yet for their families.
