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Gods Justice Theft punished.
THere is comprehended under the name theft, all evill trades and deceits, by which we get to our selves other mens goods, which is usually done five man∣ner of wayes.
1. By sacriledge, when a man taketh things dedicated to God.
2. By robbery, when a man taketh that which is another mans.
3. By fraud, selling counterfeit wares for good wares.
4. By usury, when gaine is taken contrary to Gods word.
5. When men under the colour of the law steale mens goods, which they doe that pervert the law.
Now under these kinds be comprehended the favourers of theft, and all they which by pr••tling exact a greater prize, or else that deceiveth by false weights and measures, as also that receive from theeves, having stolen from o∣thers.
stole
- A••han
- Things appertaining to God, he was with his stoned.
- Iacob
- The blessing from his brother: he was forced to slie.
- Rabel
- Labans gods, she was barren a long time thereby.
- Simeon
- The Shechemites goods with his brethren: Iacob blamed them.
- Israelites
- Their tithes from God, they were cursed and their land barren.
- The theeves
- That were with Christ crucified: and Barrabas b••ing im∣prisoned.
Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree: Cursed is the land where theeves be.
David judged him to die, that had taken away his neighbours sheepe.
Iudas was counted a theefe, a fearfull example for theeves.
The man that is partner with a theefe, slayeth his own soul by his deed: And the theefe shall not enter into the kingdome of God.
The Remedy of Theft.
B••ware of covetousnes, that is the desire of riches.
Avoyd prodigality, spend not thy goods wastefully.
Fly idlenes, follow Pauls counsell, worke with thy hands.
Thou shalt not steale, wrong thy neighbour or rob him.
Let him that stole steale no more, but rather l••t him labour, working with his hands the thing which it good, that hee may have to give to him that needeth.