XXXVIII. BY HOOK AND BY CROOK.

MARVELLOUS was the confidence of those merchants, James iv. 13: Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain.

What false heraldry have we here, presumption on presumption! What insurance office had they been at to secure their lives for a twelvemonth!

But, this being granted, how could they certainly promise themselves that they this year should get gain, except they had surely known what would have been dear the next year? Merchandising is a ticklish matter, seeing many buy and sell, and live by the loss.

Either, then, trading in those times was quicker and better than in ours, or (which is most probable) they were all resolved on the point, to cheat, cozen, lie, swear, and forswear, and to gain by what means soever.

Our age and land affordeth many of their temper, and of such St. Paul speaketh, 1 Tim. vi. 9: They will be rich. Will, whether God will or will not; will, though it cost them the 278forfeiture of their conscience to compass their designs.