JOHN

But thats no reason you should beg. Why I cel thee no, for the Spirit does not move me thereunto: and in good time, look in the blessed Proverb of Sa lomon, which is, good deeds do not justify a man, therefore I count it sin to give thee any thing. Care not thou for that, well neighbour, if thou wilt have my house, fr e worser, and brother in Christ, it will cost you forty shil lings, 'tis well Worth it truly, provided this, I may not stay for my rend, I might have a great deal more, but I am loath to ex act on my brother. I brother, the Spirit did move me thereunto: Fie upon usury, when a man will cut his brother's throat for a little Lucre, fie upon it, fie, we are born one to live by another, and for a man to let his own as he may line, 'tis allowed by the word of God, but for usury and oppression, fie on it, 'tis ungodly, but tell me will you have it? Nothing sir, but I would desire you to stand my friend To get me the Kings hand and seal to this letter: I would not use it (sir) to hinder any man for a thousand pound: For indeed I am a Clergy man by my profession: 'Tis nothing sir, but as you see, to have the Kings seal, TO carry Tin, Led, Wool and broad Clothes beyond seas, For you know (sir) every man will make the most he can of his own And for my partly, I use it but for a present necessity If you will undertake to do it, I'll give you a hundred pound. Good Honesty, be more favourable than so. That am I father, that use the word of God, And live only by the heavenly Manna. And I among my brothers and my friends Do still instruct them with my doctrine, And Yea and nay goes through the world with us Fie, not and oath we swear for twenty pound, Brothers (say we) take heed by Adam's fall, For by his sins we are condemned all. Thus preach we still unto out brothers, Though in our heart we never mean the thing: Thus do we blind the world with holiness, And so by that are termed pure Precisians. Truly my book of exhortation is at my place of Exercise, and without it I can do nothing: Gods peace be with him. I have be this morning with a friend of mine, That would borrow a small sum of money of me, But I have learned the best assurance a man can have, In such a matter is a good pawn of twice the value, Or bonds sufficient for five times the quantity. He is my near kinsman, I confess, and a Clergy man, But fifty shillings is money, & though I think I might trust him simply with it for a twelvemonth, where he craves it but for a month, yet simply I will not be so simple: For I will borrow his gelding to ride to the Term, And keep away a joust fortnight: If then he pay me my money, I will deliver him his horse, I would be loath to loose my money, or crave assurance of my kinsma ̄ , But this may be done to try me, & I mean likewise to try him. This is plain, though truly (brethreu) something subtle. But here comes one would feign take my house of me. Fie upon thee lazy fellow, art thou not ashamed to beg? Read the blessed saying of S. Paul, which is, thou shalt get thy li ving with the sweat of thy brows, and he that will not labour is not worthy to eat. Truly I cannot afford it, I would I could, but I must go to our exercise of prayer, & after I must go see a Farm that I should have. Good Lord, I praise God I am come from our morning's exercise, Where I have profited my self, and eified my brothers, In showing the way to salvation by my doctrine: And now I am going to the Court to prefer my petition. I would give a hundred pound it were granted: 'Tis a thing of nothing, but here comes one of the Court, God save you, brother in Christ, are you towards the King. Truly brother in Christ, I cannot afford it of the price. I must let my house to live, I ask no gains, but who comes ere?