Let him that stole steal no more
Stealing, or theft, is a fraudulent taking away of another man's
goods, without the knowledge and will of the owner, for the sake
of gain; to which evil may be reduced, not making good, or not
performing payments, all unjust contracts, detention of wages,
unlawful usury, unfaithfulness in anything committed to trust,
advising, encouraging, and receiving from thieves: theft is a
very great evil; it is a breach of the common law of nature, to
do to others, as we would be done by; it is contrary to
particular laws of God, and is against common justice, and ought
not to be continued in, and is punishable by God and man; it
springs from a corrupt heart, and often arises from poverty,
idleness, sloth, covetousness, and prodigality: the remedy
against it follows,
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing
which is
good;
labouring with diligence and industry, at any manufacture, trade,
or business, which is honest, lawful, and of good report, is a
proper antidote against theft; and ought to be preferred to such
a scandalous way of living, and to be constantly attended to: and
that for this end among others,
that he may have to give to him that needeth;
and not take away another man's property; needy persons are the
objects of charity; and what is given to them, should be a man's
own; and what a man gets by his hand labour, he should not
prodigally spend, or covetously lay up, but should cheerfully
distribute it to indigent persons.