I. In buying and selling, in setting and hiring of Farms, tenements, lands: in merchandise, and all manner of commodities, men must rack nothing, but keep a just price. A just price is then observed, when as the things prized, and the price given for them, are made equal, as near as may be. For the observation of this equality, these four rules are to be considered: for by them all bargains must be ordered. I. There must be a proportion and equality in all contracts: the which will then be, when as the seller doth not value the thing, only according to his own pains, & costs bestowed upon it, but also seeth what profit it may be to the buyer, and in what need he standeth of it. Levit. ⟨image 97⟩25.14. When thou fellest ought to thy neighbour▪ or buyest ought at his hands, ye shall not oppress an• an other: verse 15. But according to the number of years after the Jubilee, thou shalt buy of thy neighbour. Also according to the number of years of thy revenues he shall sell unto thee. v. 16. According to the number of years thou shalt increase the price thereof: and according to the fewness of years, thou shalt abate the price of it: for the number of fruits doth he sell unto thee. II. They must be squared according to the law of nature, the sum whereof Christ propoundeth in these words: Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do the same unto them. III. The bond of nature must be kept, which bindeth him that receiveth a benefit, and maketh a lawful gain of another mans goods, that he being once enriched, shall make a proportionable and natural recompense, even above the principal. IIII. Men must communicate and make use of their goods, with that caveat which Paul giveth. 2. Corinth. 8.13. Not so to bestow them, as that others may be eased, and they grieved: or contrariwise.
I. In buying and selling, in setting and hyring of Farmes, tenements, landes: in marchandize, and all manner of commodities, men must racke nothing, but keepe a iust price. A iust price is then obserued, when as the things prized, and the price giuen for them, are made equall, as neere as may be. For the obseruation of this equalitie, these foure rules are to be considered: for by thē all bargaines must be ordered. I. There must be a proportion and equalitie in all contracts: the which will then be, when as the seller doth not value the thing, only according to his owne paines, & costs bestowed vpon it, but also seeth what profite it may be to the buyer, and in what neede he standeth of it. Leuit. ⟨image 97⟩25.14. When thou fellest ought to thy neighbour▪ or buyest ought at his handes, ye shall not oppresse an• an other: verse 15. But according to the number of yeres after the Iubile, thou shalt buy of thy neighbour. Also according to the number of yeares of thy reuenues he shall sell vnto thee. v. 16. According to the number of yeares thou shalt increase the price thereof: and according to the fewnesse of yeares, thou shalt abate the price of it: for the number of frutes doth he sell vnto thee. II. They must be squared according to the lawe of nature, the summe wherof Christ propoundeth in these wordes: Whatsoeuer yee would that men should doe to you, doe the same vnto them. III. The bond of nature must be kept, which bindeth him that receiueth a benefite, and maketh a lawfull gaine of another mans goods, that hee being once enriched, shall make a proportionable and naturall recompence, euen aboue the principall. IIII. Men must communicate and make vse of their goods, with that caueat which Paule giueth. 2. Corinth. 8.13. Not so to bestowe them, as that others may be eased, and they grieued: or contrariwise.
