Fair dealing between debtor and creditor. A very brief essay upon the caution to…

Again, A Debtor will do well to Consider, what is the Eighth Commandment; What is implied in it; What is Required in it; And how far the Eighth Commandment will bear him out. Certainly, To keep a Man out of his Right, when 'tis possible to help him to it; I may use those Words upon it, Job XXXV. 2. Thinkest then this to be Right? The Eighth Commandment will never consent unto it.

This is the rather to be spoken, because ⟨p. 23⟩very many of the Debts in the World, are perfect Thefts, cursed Thefts. And the Flying Roll that is to Enter into the House of the Thief, will find the way to those that make nothing of them.

Once more; The Miseries which Debt is accompanied withal; ought not these also to be Considered? Oh! Consider of it. Is it nothing, to be in such continual Perplexities, that One must conclude a Pillow to have Some uncommon Stuffing in it, that so Perplexed a Man should be able to Sleep upon it? Is it nothing, to be Despised of ones Neighbour, and be annihilated with a blasted Reputation? Is it nothing, to be exposed unto the Rage, of Provoked Creditors, & feel many Effects of their Indignation? To be Dunned with repeated Indignities; To be Vexed with legal Prosecutions; At length to have that Story come in for the issue of all; Marth. XVIII 28 The Creditor laid hands on him; & tool him by the Throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest. And he cast him into Prison, till he should pay the Debt. Oh! Miserable Case! It is mentioned as the Lamentable case of Davids Followers; 1 Sam. XXII. 2. Every one that was in Distress, and every one that was in Debt. Verily, Tis Distress enough to be in Debt; Enough to Pall & Spoil all the Delights of a Man that has any Ingenuity What? For him on every Turn to think, There we such and such Good Neighbours. that Suffer no