This is the strongest bond of society, to account it to be more against ⟨p. 267⟩nature, for any man to wrong another for his own advantage, than to undergo the greatest inconveniences. And again; Non en•m mihi est vita mei utilior, quam animi talis effectu neminem, ut violem commodi mei gratiâ. Nor is my life more dear and profitable to me, than such a temper and disposition of mind as that I would not wrong any man, for my own advantage. Again, Tollendum est in rebus contrahendis omne mendacium. No kind of lying must be used in bargaining. And to mention no more; Nec ut emat melius, nec ut vendat quicquam simulabit; aut dissimulabit vir bonus; A good man will not counterfeit, or conceal any thing, that he may buy the cheaper, or sell the dearer. And yet further to check our proneness to despise moral Righteousness, I cannot but mention an excellent passage to this purpose, which I have met with, in a learned man of our own Nation. Two things (saith he) make up a Christian, a true faith, and an honest conversation, 1and though the former usually gives us the Title, the latter is the surer; for true profession without an honest conversation, not only saves not, but increaseth our weight of punishment; but a good life without true profession though it brings us not to Heaven, yet it lessens the measure of our Judgement, so that a moral man so called is a Christian by the surer side. And afterwards, I confess (saith he) I have not yet made that proficiency in the schools of our age, as that I could see why the second Table, and the Acts of it are not as properly the parts of Religion and Christianity, as the Acts and observations of the first; if I mistake, then it is St. James that hath abused me, for he describing Religion by it's proper Acts tells us, that pure Religion, and undefiled before God, and the Father is this, to visit the Fatherless and the Widow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the World; so that that thing which in an especial refined dialect of the new Christian Language, signifies nothing but morality and civility, that in the language of the Holy Ghost imports true Religion. Mark. 12.33, 34. when the Scribe told Christ that to love God with all the heart, &c. And our neighbours as our selves, was more than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices;
This is the strongest bond of society, to account it to bee more against ⟨p. 267⟩nature, for any man to wrong another for his own advantage, than to undergoe the greatest inconveniences. And again; Non en•m mihi est vita mei utilior, quam animi talis effectu neminem, ut violem commodi mei gratiâ. Nor is my life more dear and profitable to mee, than such a temper and disposition of minde as that I would not wrong any man, for my own advantage. Again, Tollendum est in rebus contrahendis omne mendacium. No kinde of lying must bee used in bargaining. And to mention no more; Nec ut emat melius, nec ut vendat quicquam simulabit; aut dissimulabit vir bonus; A good man will not counterfeit, or conceal any thing, that hee may buy the cheaper, or sell the dearer. And yet further to check our proneness to despise moral Righteousness, I cannot but mention an excellent passage to this purpose, which I have met with, in a learned man of our own Nation. Two things (saith hee) make up a Christian, a true faith, and an honest conversation, 1and though the former usually gives us the Title, the latter is the surer; for true profession without an honest conversation, not only saves not, but increaseth our weight of punishment; but a good life without true profession though it brings us not to Heaven, yet it lessens the measure of our Judgement, so that a moral man so call'd is a Christian by the surer side. And afterwards, I confess (saith hee) I have not yet made that proficiency in the schooles of our age, as that I could see why the second Table, and the Acts of it are not as properly the parts of Religion and Christianity, as the Acts and observations of the first; if I mistake, then it is St. James that hath abused mee, for hee describing Religion by it's proper Acts tells us, that pure Religion, and undefiled before God, and the Father is this, to visit the Fatherless and the Widdow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the World; so that that thing which in an especial refined dialect of the new Christian Language, signifies nothing but morality and civility, that in the language of the Holy Ghost imports true Religion. Mark. 12.33, 34. when the Scribe told Christ that to love God with all the heart, &c. And our neighbours as our selves, was more than whole burnt offerings and sacrifices;
- 1Mr. •ales.
