A25470:947
The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved
The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved by sundry ministers, September 1661.
London: printed for Joshua Kirton and Nathaniel Webb, 1661
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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.
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; Wee commend the Quakers, because they are at a word in all their dealings; wee would be loth not to bee counted as good Christians as they are; let us then do as good things as they do, especially when wee account those things praise-worthy; and I am sure this is no waies 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 wee praise this in others, let us practise it in our selves. Wee 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.