of God or men is right; and it is committed sometimes by them in
Office, about Fees, Rewards, and the like: but 'tis most commonly
committed by men of Trade, who without all conscience, when they
have the advantage, will make a prey of their neighbour. And thus
was Mr. Badman an Extortioner; for although he did not exact, and
force away, as Bailifs and Clarks have used to doe; yet he had his
opportunities, and such cruelty to make use of them, that he would
often, in his way, be Extorting, and forcing of money out of his
Neighbours pocket. For every man that makes a prey of his
advantage upon his neighbours necessities, to force from him more
than in reason and conscience, according to the present prizes of
things such comodity is worth; may very well be called an
Extortioner, and Judged for one that hath No inheritance in the
Kingdom of God. {115d}

Atten. Well, this Badman was a sad wretch.

Wise. Thus you have often said before. But now we are in
discourse of this, give me leave a little to goe on. We have a
great many people in the Countrey too that live all their dayes in
the practice, and so under the guilt of Extortion: people, alas!
that think scorn to be so accounted.

As for Example: {116a} There is a poor body that dwells, we will
suppose, so many miles from the Market; and this man wants a Bushel
of Grist, a pound of Butter, or a Cheese for himself, his wife and
poor children: But dwelling so far from the Market, if he goes
thither, he shall lose his dayes work, which will be eight pence or
ten pence dammage to him, and that is something to a poor man. So
he goeth to one of his Masters or Dames for what he wanteth, and