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says he, meet at the time appointed, and will be near: offer to put the decision of ⟨the⟩ controversy to the next that comes by, ⟨and⟩ that shall be myself; and I will find a ⟨way⟩ infallibly to give it on your side. ⟨Accordingly⟩ he met, and the devil consented to put it ⟨to⟩ arbitration. The Friar Bacon appearing, ⟨Lo,⟩ said the gentleman, here’s a proper judge. This learned Friar shall determine it: and it goes against me, you have free liberty do with me as you please. Content, said the devil. Then each of them told their ⟨story⟩ and the writing was produced, with all ⟨the⟩ acquittances he had taken; for the ⟨devil⟩ contrary to his knowledge, had stolen them and the other writings belonging to his estate out of his closet. The Friar, weighing we(illegible text) the matter, asked the gentleman, ⟨whether⟩ he had paid the devil any of the money ⟨he⟩ borrowed of him. No, replied he, not ⟨one⟩ farthing. Why then, said he, Mr ⟨Devil⟩ his debts are not discharged; you are ⟨his⟩ principal creditor, and, according to ⟨this⟩ writing, can lay no claim to him till ⟨every⟩ one of his debts are discharged. How! how, replied the devil, am I out-witted then O Friar, thou art a crafty knave! ⟨And⟩ thereupon vanished in a flame, raising ⟨a⟩ mighty tempest of thunder, lightening, and rain; so that they were wet through ⟨before⟩ they could get shelter. Then Bacon ⟨charged⟩
