The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

1. A seeming Contradiction in the rule; which you will see in these instances; if I desire a thing, I would not have another stand in competition with me for it, if another desire a thing, I would not have him think much, that I stand in competition with him; if I be indebted to another, I would not have him arrest me; if another be indebted to me, I would not have him think much that I arrest him; when we sell we care not how dear, when we buy we care not how cheap; now if this were a real contradiction in the rule, it were impossible it should be put in practice, but it is only a contradiction in our wills, which must thus be reconciled to the rule.

1. A seeming Contradiction in the rule; which you will see in these instances; if I desire a thing, I would not have another stand in competition with mee for it, if another desire a thing, I would not have him think much, that I stand in competition with him; if I bee indebted to another, I would not have him arrest mee; if another bee indebted to mee, I would not have him think much that I arrest him; when wee sell wee care not how dear, when wee buy wee care not how cheap; now if this were a real contradiction in the rule, it were impossible it should bee put in practice, but it is only a contradiction in our wills, which must thus bee reconciled to the rule.

1. We must consider which of these wills, is most reasonable, and the greater reason and equity must carry it, and that which is plainly unreasonable, in comparison of the other, is not to be regarded; If we consider the two first instances, this is most reasonable that where men have an equal right, they should be allowed an equal liberty to use that right; another man hath as much right to stand in competition with me for any thing, as I to stand in competition with him, and to arrest me in case of debt as I to arrest him, and it is plainly unreasonable that I should use this right and another be debarred from it.

1. Wee must consider which of these wills, is most reasonable, and the greater reason and equity must carry it, and that which is plainly unreasonable, in comparison of the other, is not to bee regarded; If wee consider the two first instances, this is most reasonable that where men have an equal right, they should bee allowed an equal liberty to use that right; another man hath as much right to stand in competition with mee for any thing, as I to stand in competition with him, and to arrest mee in case of debt as I to arrest him, and it is plainly unreasonable that I should use this right and another bee debarred from it.