Atten. Why this was a meer Cheat.
Wise. It was a cheat indeed. This way of breaking, it is else but a more neat way of Thieving, of picking of pockets, of breaking open of shops, and of taking from men what one has nothing to do with. But though it seem easie, it is hard to learn, no man that has conscience to God or man, can ever be his Crafts Master in this Hellish art.
Atten. Oh! Sirs! what a wicked man was this?
Wise. A wicked man indeed. By this art he could tell how to make men send their goods to his shop, and then be glad to take a penny for that for which he had promised before it came thither, to give them a Groat: I say, he could make them glad to take a Crown for a pounds worth, and a thousand for that for which he had promised before to give them four thousand pounds.
Atten. This argueth that Mr. Badman had but little conscience.
Wise. This argued that Mr. Badman had No Conscience at all; for Conscience, the least spark of a good Conscience cannot endure this.
Atten. Before we go any further in Mr. Badmans matters, let me desire you, if you please, to give me an answer to these two questions. [96a]
1. What do you find in the Word of God against such a practice, as this of Mr. Badmans is? [96b]
2. What would you have a man do that is in his Creditors debt, and can neither pay him what he owes him, nor go on in a trade any longer?
Wise. I will answer you as well as I can. And first to the first of your questions. To wit, What I find in the Word of God against such a practice, as this of Mr. Badmans is.