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

3. When Gods providence hath put into thy hands some great opportunity and advantage (as by the intervention of some unexpected Law, by a sudden war or peace betwixt Nations, or by some other casualty) do not stretch it to the utmost. Fortunam reverenter habe, use this providential advantage modestly, considering that he whose blessing gave thee this opportunity, can blast thee a thousand ways.

3. When Gods providence hath put into thy hands some great opportunity and advantage (as by the intervention of some unexpected Law, by a sudden war or peace betwixt Nations, or by some other casualty) do not stretch it to the utmost. Fortunam reverenter habe, use this providential advantage modestly, considering that hee whose blessing gave thee this opportunity, can blast thee a thousand waies.

4. Use plainness in all your dealings; this the Roman Laws called bonâ fide agere; Do not disparage another mans commodity, or raise your own besides truth, this is sinful; do not insinuate a commendation or disparagement indirectly thereby to lead a man into an error that you may draw on a bargain the more easily; do not (as your phrase is) ask or bid much out of the way; for if this be not simply unlawful, yet it doth not become an honest man; We commend the Quakers, because they are at a word in all their dealings; we would be loth not to be counted as good Christians as they are; let us then do as good things as they do, especially when we account those things praise-worthy; and I am sure this is no ways contrary to Justice, and Honesty, and Truth; I know nothing that gives so real a reputation to that Sect, as this practice; and would it not adorn those who account themselves the more sober Christians: if we praise this in others, let us practise it in our selves. We are apt to value our selves much by our Orthodox Judgements, but let us take heed that Sectaries do not confute us by their Orthodox lives. For the sake of Religion, Next to your consciences, in all your dealings, tender your reputation, for, quod conscientia est apud Deum, id fama est apud homines, that which conscience is in reference to God, that our reputation is in respect of men.