Whilst my credit was good, I thought good to make use of it, lest that failing, I should want an opportunity to march off with flying Colours. To raise my repute amongst my Neighbours (whom I knew would spread abroad what they had seen) I caus’d a Porter (whom I could intrust) to carry out privately an hundred pound, and a little while after to come with a trusty friend of mine with that, and five or six hundred pound bags more on his back, openly carrying them. Upon my receipt hereof, I presently tumbled the Money out of the bag (which had really mony in it) on the Counter, purposely making a great noise: having told it over (my friend standing by the while) I put it up; and pretending to lay that aside and take another, I took up the same again, so doing till I had told it over five or six times; then writing in publike view a Receipt, with much civility and respect I dismist my Gentleman. And this did I thrice in a months time; so that by this means without suspition I conveyed away a great quantity of my Goods, which people thought I had sold, & therefore thought me to have a great trade. Report hereby rendred me a man of vast dealing, so that now I had goods dayly offer’d me, some whereof I received, promising to them payment at three moneths, others at six; whereas I intended they should stay till her had her twelve Apostles for her Jury. What Wares or Moneys I could take up, I did, not mattering at what rate. To some of the more wary sort I confest a Judgment for their security. I needed not to have spoken in the Singular number, for I deluded four with my Judgments. What commodities I had, I converted into money by a bill of Sale, and so went away, leaving my Creditors to sue out a Statute of _Bankrupt_ if they so pleased; which I valued not, if once out of their reach. To my chiefest Creditor I sent these lines, to the intent he should not tax me with incivility for going away and not sending him word. _Credit doth strengthen such whose Trades are weak, But too much Credit, Sir, did make me break. Credit to sinking Trades-men is a prop, But had you kept your Wares, I’de kept my Shop. Pray do not blame me, Sir, because I show A way to pay those many debts you owe: Which you may do, if you’l advised be, Which is in short, prepare to follow me. Believe me, faithful Sir, in what I say, I went before, but to shew you the way: But you will not, don’t lament your loss, For in your Money I do bear the cross. Grief will distract you, and destroy your wit; Good Sir, preserve it, for y’ ave paid for it._