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

1. In buying and selling, such a proportion of gain may be taken, and ⟨p. 261⟩ought to be allowed, as is mutually and universally best. And this every man is presumed to desire, because this will be certainly good for every one, whereas if it be not universally good, it may be bad for any one, if it be not mutually so, it will be bad for me by turns.

1. In buying and selling, such a proportion of gain may bee taken, and ⟨p. 261⟩ought to bee allowed, as is mutually and universally best. And this every man is presumed to desire, because this will be certainly good for every one, whereas if it be not universally good, it may be bad for any one, if it bee not mutually so, it will bee bad for mee by turns.

2. That proportion of gain which allows a reasonable compensation for our time, and pains, and hazard, is universally and mutually best. If the compensation be unreasonably great, it will be bad for the buyer, if unreasonably little, it will be bad for the seller, if equal, and reasonable, it will be good for all.

2. That proportion of gain which allows a reasonable compensation for our time, and pains, and hazard, is universally and mutually best. If the compensation bee unreasonably great, it will be bad for the buyer, if unreasonably little, it will be bad for the seller, if equal, and reasonable, it will be good for all.

3. That proportion of gain, which in common intercourse and use of bargaining among those who understand what they buy and sell, is generally allowed; ought to be esteemed a reasonable compensation. This is evident, because the common reason of mankind doth best determine what is reasonable. Therefore those who speak of commutative justice, and place it in the equality of things contracted for, need explaining, for value is not a thing absolute and certain, but relative, and mutable; Now to fix the value of things as much as may be, this Rule is commonly given, Tanti unumquodque valet, quanti vendi potest. Every thing is worth so much as it may be sold for, which must not be understood too particularly, as if the present and particular appetite of the Contractor were to be the Rule, for every thing is not worth so much as any body will give for it, but so much as in common intercourse among knowing persons it will give. For this I take for a truth, that in the ordinary plenty of commodities, there is an ordinary and usual price of them known to the understanding persons of every Profession; If I be out in this, the matter of gain will be more uncertain than I thought on.