Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 83
… sinne of vsurie, and lending with a couenant for gaine, which derogates from the wisedome of God and his prouidence in ordering and disposing of things, but I passe by them.
Quest. Is only Money lent after an vnlawfull manner, namely on Vsurie?
Leuit. 25.37. Deut. 23.19.Answ. No; meate and other things may be lent on vsury, and not money alone, and whatsoeuer is lent, being a thing that encreaseth not, or yeelds no fruitfull vse arising out of the nature of it, with a couenant of gaine in liew of the lending of it, without any labour, cost, or hazard of the lender, is lent on vsurie.
Quest. Is all increase receiued on the lending of money or the like things, altogether vnlawfull?
Answ. No; there be some particular cases wherein a man may lawfully receiue increase, on the lending of his money, or the like things.
Quest. What are those particular cases?
Answ. They are three especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; when the encrease and an ouerplus is freely giuen him, by an able and willing borrower; that is such an encrease as is neither couenanted for, nor intended, nor required by him for his loane, but is giuen by the borrower freely,Pro. 18.24. Coloss. 3.15. 2 Tim. 3.2. and only in way of thankefulnesse to requite his courtesie; the borrower hauing found benefit by the thing lent to him, for vnthankfulnesse is abhorred of all, and both the Law of Nature and the Word of God, requires to doe good for good.
Quest. May not the lender couenant with the borrower conditionally, to hauehave part of the gaine arising out of the vse of the thing lent to him, if he doe gaine by it?
Answ. No, he may not: a man putting money or the like thing into another mans hands, may couenant with him to hauehave part of the gaine arising out of the vse of it, if he do also couenant with him to beare his part of the losse he shall sustain… without his default: for that is properly pa…tnership, and not lending.
Quest. What is the second case wherein a man may lawfully receiue increase on the lending of his money, or other like thing?
Answ. This; when encrease and an ouerplus is giuen him in way of recompence and satisfaction, for that certaine and apparant losse which he hath sustained after the time appointed, when the borrower should returne the money, or other thing lent to him, and he doth not, but either out of his negligence or his vnfaithfulnesse makes delay and returnes it not; and so by his delay is the effectuall cause of the lenders hinderance or losse: for in all equitie he that is the effectuall cause of another mans certaine losse, is bound (if he bee able) to make recompence, 2 Cor. 8.13, 14. In giuing,2 Cor. 8.13.14 the receiuer is not to be eased, and the giuer grieued, and so in lending.
Quest. What if the lender be willing to forbeare the borrower for a time after the money or other thing that hee hath lent is due to him, and doe then voluntarily incurre some losse, may the lender take recompense for that losse?
Answ. No, he may not; recompense may be taken by the lender when he forbeares against his will, and when hee sustaines cer…aine and vnauoydable losse or hinderance onelyonly through the borrowers default. Exod. 21.18, 19.Exod. 21.18.19 allowance is not to bee made for a mans voluntary ceasing from his worke, but when hee ceaseth against his will, hauing beene smitten and wounded by another man, so that hee cannot worke: and so in the case of lending.
Quest. VVhat is the third case wherein a man may lawfully receiue increase on the lending of his money, or the like thing?
Answ. This; when increase and an ouerplus is giuen him on his true aduenture proportionable to his hazard, hee hauing indeed and truth, and directly, and not in pretence only aduentured and hazarded his money or goods in the hands of the borrower, the borrower hauing vsed it, and gained by it, hee may then lawfully take part of the gaine, it is cast on him by the good prouidence of God. Iudges. 11.23, 24. 1 Sam. 2.7.Iudg. 11.23.24. 1 Sam. 2.7. as when one deliuers to a Marchant, who is to go beyond the seas a summe of money or goods for him to vse and manage as hee shall thinke fit for his aduantage, conditioning
Answ. They are things done either by the hirer, or by the letter of things to hire.
Quest. What are the things done by the hyrer, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons one or more?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the not returning of the thing hired as it ought to bee returned.
Quest. How is that done?
Answ. Thus; when the hyrer either returnes not the thing that he hath hyred at all: as hauing hyred an horse to ride on to a certaine place, he rideth quite away with him; or not at the time appoynted for the returne of it, but he wittingly & purposely keepes it ouer and aboue that time, without the consent of the letter, or not in the state that hee receiued it, but either hurt or spoyled through his owne default, without making due satisfaction for that hurt or spoyle: as when one hauing hyred ground, makes waste on it, or weares out the heart of it:Pro. 3.27. Act. 28.30. or hauing hyred an house, doth deface it or spoile it, or let it runne to ruine carelessely, and makes it vntenantable; or hauing hyred an horse or the like, doth ouer-labour the beast, or willingly so hurt it, as it is lamed or spoiled, or such like.
Quest. What if the thing hyred be hurt or spoyled, or perish in the hands of the hyrer without his default; is then the hyrer to to make it good?
Answ. No, he is not; because as the letter retaines the propertie of that which is let:Exod. 22.15. so he is also to beare the hazard of it: and if it miscarry without the hyrers default, it miscarries to the letter, and not to the hyrer: he is onelyonly then to pay the hyre of it.
Quest. What is the second thing done by the hyrer, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. The not paying of the hyre agreed on betweene him and the letter,Rom. 1.30. Leuit. 19.13. Deut. 24.14.15 as it ought to be paid for the thing hyred, whether it bee a thing to bee vsed, as house, shop, chamber, land, or the like, or a mans labour, but either withholding it,Iob. 7.2. Iere. 22.13. Mat. 3.5. Iam. 5.4. Gen. 31.42. or changing it, or not paying of it in due time.
Quest. What are the things done by the letter of things to hyre, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons one or more?
Answ. Three things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; the letting of a thing to hyre at an vnreasonable rate; which is done either directly, or indirectly, and vnderunder a colour.
Quest. How is a thing let to hyre at an vnreasonable rate directly?
Answ. Thus; when it is let for more then can bee raysed and made of the vse of it in the iudgment of any that knowes and is able to iudge of it: as when the Land-lord racketh his rents, and raiseth them to such a rate, or taketh such excessiue Fines, as that the Tenant by all his care, labour and paines, and by his stocke on the land, house, shop, or such like, cannot make his owne, or liue by it: or when a man lets his cattell, their young ones, their milke, their labour in drawing, and such like, for more then can be made of the vse of them in any mans iudgement who is able to iudge:Isai. 3.14.15. Amos. 8.4. Mica. 3.3. this is to eate vp the vineyard, and to spoyle the poore, and to grinde the faces of the poore, and to make the needie of the land to faile, and to eate the flesh of the poore.
Quest. How is a thing let to hyre at an vnreasonable rate indirectly and vnderunder a colour?
Answ. Thus; when it is let for an indifferent rate in respect of the vse of the thing it selfe, yet so as the letter will not stand to the hazard of it, but makes the hyrer couenant with him absolutely, to make the thing hyred good to him at all times without any allowance, in respect of any casualtie that shall come, though the thing hyred being subiect to many casualties, doe perish without his default. For example, a man lets another three, foure, or more Kine, to finde them meate, and to hauehave the milke of them at such a rate, for a yeare, or more or lesse time; yet so, as hee bindes the hyrer that he shall from time to time make good to him the number of his kine,1 Thess. 2.5. if any of them die, and shall returne to him at the time appoynted either the same kine or others in full number, and in as good plight as they were deliuered: this is to let them at an vnreasonable rate indirecty;1 Thess. 4.6. and this is coloured couetousness, and defrauding of a poore brother.
Quest. What is the second thing done by the letter of things to hyre, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth & outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the letting of a thing to hyre of worse qualitie then is pretended: as when the letter lets that to the hyrer for his vse, which he knowes will not serue his turne: for example,Rom. 1.29. 1 Thess. 4.6. an Horse to ride on to a certaine place, which hee knowes will faile him before hee comes thither: this is deceit, one of the sinnes of the Heathen, who were giuen vp to a reprobate sense, Rom. 1.29. and this is circumuenting and defrauding of a brother. 1 Thess. 4.6.
Quest. What is the third thing done by the letter of things to hire, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth & outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the withholding from the hyrer the vse of the thing let to him to hyre, either in whole or in part: as when one hauing let house, shop, land, and such like, he takes away and withholds from the hyrer the vse of it in whole or in part,Isai. 16.14. Ephes. 6.6. Coloss. 3.22. Gen. 31.40. before the time appoynted be come that it should returne to him: or when a seruant or labourer withholds his seruice or labour from him who hath hyred him in whole or in part, in the time that hee is hyred, as by loytering, and by neglecting his seruice and labour.
Quest. What are the things done in pawning, and in taking things to pawne, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. They are things done either by the pawner, by the partie who layes things to pawn: or by the party who takes any things to pawne.
Quest. VVhat are the things done by the pawner, by the partie who layeth things to pawne, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. Three things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the pawning of such things as ought not to be laid to pawne; as when one pawneth his life,Exod. 22.26.27. Deut. 24 6.12.13. or the life of another, as Reuben did, Gen. 42.37.Gen. 42.37. or, as when one pawneth his owne wearing clothes, which are for his present vse, hauing no other to couer his nakednesse withall, and to keepe his body from the iniury of weather: or hauing wife and children, hee pawneth the wearing clothes of his wife or children, which are for their present vse, hauing no other to couer their nakedness, and to keepe their bodies from the iniury of weather: or when one pawneth such tooles and instruments as hee hath for his necessary and present vse to worke withall, and to earne his maintenance: for that which may not be taken to pawne, may not be laid to pawne.
Quest. What is the second thing done by the pawner, by the partie who layeth things to pawne, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the pawning of things to ill ends and purposes: as when one layes a thing to pawn that he may compasse and effect some wicked purpose; or that he may hauehave wherewith to follow his riot and excesse, his drunkennes, and therby wronging wife, children, and those that depend vponupon him. Gene. 38.17, 18. Pro. 11.29.Gen. 38.17.18. Pro. 11.29. He that troubleth his owne house, that is, afflicts them with misery, shall inherit the wind, bring all to nothing. 1 Tim. 5.8.1 Tim. 5.8. If not to prouide, bee to denie the faith, then much more to trouble, spoyle, robbe, and destroy the family.
Quest. What is the third thing done by the pawner, by the partie who layeth things to pawne, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This;Gen 38.20. Nehem ….3.4.5. the not fetching home of his pawne at the time appoynted for the redeeming of it, by doing that which ought to be done for the redemption of it, being able to redeeme it; but letting it still lie in the hands of the partie to whom it is pawned, to his losse or hindrance for then he is
Quest. VVhat is the third thing done by the partie who taketh things to pawne, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Exod. 22.26.27 Deut. 24.12. Ezech. 18.7.12.16. Ezech. 33.15.Answ. This; the not returning and not restoring the pawne at the time appoynted for the returne of it, as it ought to bee returned: as when the partie who hath the pawne either keepes it backe from the pawner altogether, or makes delayes, and puts him off from time to time, though the time appointed for the returne of it be come, and though the pawner be ready and willing to doe that which ought to bee done for the redemption of it.
Quest. VVhat are the things done out of the matter of contract, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. Two things; either vniust taking away of that wealth or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more; or the conspiring with those who vniustly take away the wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more.
Of these in order.
Quest. How is that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more vniustly taken away?
Answ. Three wayes especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. By open violence and force.
Quest. How is open violence and force exercised on that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or to others, one more?
Answ. Two wayes.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Exod. 22.2. 1 Sam. 2.15.16 Luk. 3.14.Answ. This; by laying violent and strong hand on that wealth which belongs to another or to others, one or more, or on any part of it, whether by sea or by land, and taking it to ones selfe as a prey: when one will hauehave it because hee will, though hee can alledge no shaddow of right or title to it, and takes it away by force as a prey, and as a bootie for his owne vse, as those doe who rob by the high wayes, or breake into houses or ground, or as Py…ats do on the sea.
Quest. May not a man being imployed in publike seruice by sea, or by land, for the repelling or repressing of Pyrates or of common professed enemies of the Countrey where hee dwelles or abides, lay strong hands on the wealth of a Pyrate, or on the wealth of a common professed enemy of that Countrey, and (if he can) lawfully take it to himselfe as a prey, and as a bootie for his owne vse?
Answ. If hee be either commanded, or leaue bee granted to him by the Prince, Lieutenant Generall, Captaine, or Gouernour vnderunder whom hee is, to take what hee can get from a Pyrate, or from a common and notorious enemie, hee may: if not, then the spoyle gotten from a Pyrate,1 Sam. 30.20.21. to the end. or from a common enemie, is to bee brought to the chiefe Gouernour whatsoeuer hee bee, and by him it is to bee disposed proportionably according to eueryevery mans seruice and worthinesse.
Quest. What is the second way by which open violence and force is exercised on that wealth or on any part of it, that belongs to another or to others, one or more?
Ans. By making hauocke and spoile of the wealth which belongs to an other or to others, one or more,Exod. 22.5.6. 2 Sam. 14.30. or of any part of it meerely of euill will and enuie, or of meere delight in mischiefe, without any profit or benefit to the spoyler: as when one sets fire on an other mans House or Corne, or doth hurt, maime, or spoyle any of his Cattell, or layes open his fence purposely, that Cattell may goe into his ground and spoyle his grasse, or his Corne, or the like.
Quest. What is the second way by which that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more, is vniustly taken away?
Answ. This; by secret and priuy stealth.
Quest. How is that wealth or any part of it that belongs to an other or others, one or more, taken away by secret and priuy stealth?
Answ. Three wayes especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Exod. 2. …1. Iosh. 7.21. Iob. 24.14. Z…h. 5.3.4. 1 Thess. 5.2 Reuel. 3.3.Answ. This; by pilfering, conuaying, and secret carrying away that wealth which belongs to another or to others, one o… more, or any part of it: as when one secretly either in the night, or in the darke, or in a secret place, where no eye of man can see, layes theeuish hands on that thing which his Co…science tells him hee hath no right to, but it belongs altogether to another.
Quest. What is the second way by which that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more, is taken away by secret and priuy stealth?
Luk 16.1. Tit. 2.1. Phil…m. ….11.Answ. This; by sec…et and vniust wasting and consuming, and drawing f…om that wealth which belongs to another or to others, one or more, or any part of it, being such as one may come to without suspition: as when a seruant doth secretly waste and consume and draw from the wealth of his Master which hee hath vnderunder his hands, and may come to without suspition.
Quest. When is secret and vniust wasting and consuming, and drawing from that wealth which belongs to another or others, one or more, being such as one may come to without suspition, most vile and most odious?
Iudg. 17.2. Pro. 28.24.Ans. When children deale so with their parents, as when children doe spend their parents goods riotously; or doe carelessely, or by some ill meanes runne themselues into debt and then make their parents pay it; or as Lords ouer the goods of their parents, doe what they list with them.
Quest. What is the third way by which that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more, is taken away by secret and priuie stealth?
Answ. Thus; by secret incroaching on another mans wealth or possession,Deu…. 19.14. Deut. 27.17. Pro. 22.28. as when one doth deceitfully remooue the bounds, and displaceth the land-markes of his neighbour, to enlarge his owne bounds; or when one doth change the marke of his neighbours cattell, his sheepe, his oxen, horses; or of his pewter, or linnen, or the like, and put his owne marke in stead of his neighbours.
Quest. When is secret incroaching on another mans wealth or possession most vile, and most odious?
Answ. Pro. 23.10. Pro. 22.22.23.When a man do…h encroach on the wealth or possession of the fatherlesse and helplesse, and of such as are without the helpe and defence of man.
Quest, VVhat is the third way by which that wealth or any part of it t… …ongs to another or others, one or more, is vniustly taken away?
Answ. This; by fraud and deceit.
Quest. How is fraud and deceite vsed in taking away that wealth or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Answ. Either in respect of the persons, or in regard of the things that belong to another or others, one or more.
Quest. How is deceit and fraud vsed in respect of the persons that belong to another or others, one or more?
Answ. Thus; by alluring,Exod. 21.16. Deut. 24.7. 1 Tim. 1.10. and by entising away by word or deed, as by perswasion, or by gifts, any person or persons that belong to another or others, one or more, as the childe or the seruant of another or others, one or more.
Quest. How is deceit and fraud vsed in regard of the things that belong to another or others, one or more?
Answ. Seuen wayes especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; by peruerting the Law,Exod. 23.6.8. Deut. 16.19. 1 Sam. 8.3. Pro. 17.23. Isai. 1.23. or corrupting Iudgment in cases touching lands or goods: as when a Lawyer or a Iudge doe wrest the Law, and giuegive false Sentence or Iudgement, touching lands or goods, for friendship or for bribes.
Quest. VVhen is the peruerting of the Lawe, or corrupting Iudgement case… touching Lands, most vile and most odious?
Answ. When it is done vnderunder colour of Equitie, Conscience, and Religion, and those things are pretended in the doing of it. Thus it was with Ahab and Iezabel, 1 Kings 21.8, 9. &c. to 17.1 King. 21.8.9. &c. to 17.
Quest. VVhat is the second way by which deceit and fraud is vsed in respect of things that belong to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by vsing and practising vnlawfull Arts and courses to get that wealth,Deut. 18.10.11 Ephes. 4.28. or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more; as Iuggling, Charming, Coniuring, Witch-craft, and Sorcerie, playing the Wiseman, Fortune-telling, Stage-pla…in…, Fencing, carrying about Apes and Beares, Fidling and Piping vp and downe the Countrey, pretending to be Egyptians, and the like, mentioned in the Statute of this land touching Rogues, Anno 39. Elizabethae.
Quest. VVhat is the third way by which fraude and deceit is vsed, in respect of the things that belong to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by false dealing in matters of trust, touching lands or goods:Exod. 22.7.8. Leuit. 6.2.3.4. Galat. 3.15. 1 Tim. 6.20. as when Factors deale falsly with those who trust them with their goods; or when such as hauehave things left with them to keepe for a time, either deny the things, or hide them, or conuay them out of the way, or doe any way withhold them at the time when they should returne them to the owners; or when Executors doe falsifie the Will of the dead, and withhold Legacies from those to whom they are giuen, or doe any way defraud Orphans of their portions in whole or in part; or when Gardians and Feoffees in trust, doe falsifie the trust reposed in them, in things committed to them in trust.
Quest. VVhat is the fourth way by which fraud and deceit is vsed, in respect of things that b…long to another or others, one or more?
Exod. 23.4. Leuit. 6.3.4. Deut. 22.1.2.3.Answ. This; by concealing things strayed or found, and keeping them, and withholding them from the right owner being knowne.
Quest. VVhat is the fifth way by which fraud and deceit is vsed, in respect of the things that belong to another or others, one or more?
Pro. 13.7. 2 Thess. 3.10. 1 Tim. 5.16.Answ. This; by pretending pouertie and want without iust cause, and by taking Almes when men or women hauehave no need; whereby they doe defraud the poore, and take that which belongs to such as are truely poore. Prou. 13.7. Thus doe they who are lustie and strong, and yet wander vp and downe. 2 Thess. 3.10. 1 Tim. 5.16.
Quest. VVhat is the sixt way by which fraud and deceit is vsed, in respect of the things that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by gaming for money and gaine, especially at vnlawfull games, as Cards, Dice, and such like; by dealing falsely, as cogging, or vsing false shifts in gaming: for gaming for money and gaine is both vniust, the looser is vniustly dispossessed of his money, and the winner is wrongfully possessed of it; and also a thing of ill report, and therefore ought not to bee vsed, Philip. 4.8. and gaming for money and gaine is a peruerting of the end of lawfull gaming, which ought to bee onelyonly the refreshing of the body or minde.
Quest. Is it simply vnlawfull to play for any money at all, the game being lawfull?
Answ. No; if the play bee for a small matter, the losse whereof is no hurt to him that looseth it, and if it bee applyed to a common good, and bee bestowed in some honest meeting for the increase of louelove, then it is lawfull: otherwise not.
Quest. VVhat is the seuenth way by which fraud and deceit is vsed, in respect of the things that belong to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by vsing deuices and subtilties of wit, to get that wealth or any part of it that belongs to an other or others, one or more; as lying, vsing another mans name,Gen. 27.19. 2 King. 5.22. pretending skill to doe an other good by Physicke, or the like, or any manner of cousenage, which is commonly called Coney-catching, or Cheating, or liuing by mens wits.
Obiection. 199 Wee reade Genesis 30. from verse 37. to the end, that Iacob vsed a cunning deuice, namely, of pilled and straked roddes layd before the Sheepe in Ramming-time, to deceiue Laban, and to inrich himselfe. Therefore it seemes lawfull sometimes to vse deuices and subtilties of wit to get that wealth or some part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; that which Iacob did in laying pilled or straked rods before the sheepe, hee did it by Gods appoyntment and direction, Gen. 31.9, 10, 11, 12.…en. 31.9,…0, 11, 12.
And againe, the meanes hee vsed was not artificiall or fraudulent, but naturall; not depending on mans skill, but on Gods blessing: and God gaue an extraordinarie blessing to the meanes, thereby to recompence Iacobs sore labours, whome Laban would hauehave sent away emptie, had not God so prouided for him, Gene. 31 40, 41, 42. And therefore that fact of Iacob will not warrant vsing of deuices and subtilties of wit to get that wealth or some part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more.
Quest. How doe men or women conspire with those who vniustly take away that wealth or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Answ. Foure wayes especially.
Quest. Which is the first of those?
Pro. 1.11.12.13.14. Psal. 64.5.Answ. This; by counselling, perswading, commanding, or by hyring, or any way plotting with another or others, to take away that wealth or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more, by any vniust way or meanes.
Quest. What is the second way by which men or women doe conspire with those who vniustly take away that wealth or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Psal. 50.18. Ephes. 5.11.Answ. This; by being present with them when they doe vniustly take away that wealth, or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more, and consenting to them by silence, and not reprouing of them.
Quest. What is the third way by which men or women do conspire with those who vniustly take away that wealth, or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by receiuing and harbouring of them, who hauehave vniustly taken, away that wealth, or any part of it,Pro. 29.24. 1 Tim. 5.22. that belongs to another or others, one or more, and hiding and concealing them, and pleading for them, and by receiuing and hiding, and concealing the things thy hauehave vniustly taken away, Pro. 29.24. therein they pertake with them in their sinne which the Apostle forbids. 1 Tim. 5.22.
Quest. What is the fourth way by which men or women doe conspire with those who vniustly take away that wealth or any part of it, that belongs to another or others, one or more?
Answ. This; by fauouring, and by vpholding those who vniustly take away that wealth, or any part of it that belongs to another or others, one or more by impunity:Isai. 1.23. Rom. 1.31. as when such as hauehave power to punish them, doe either suffer them to escape vnpunished, or doe punish them very slightly: or by feeding and cloathing stout and lusty rogues, or beggers and the like.