A26892:8874
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Answ. 1. Not by deceit, persuading another that they are worth more than they are. 2. Not by extortion working upon mens ignorance, error or necessity (of which more anon). 3. Not of any one that is poorer than your self, or of any one that intendeth but an equal bargain. 4. But if you deal with the rich, who in generosity or liberality stick not at a small matter, and are willing another should be a gainer by them, and understand what they do, it is lawful to take as much as they will give you.
Answ. 1. Not by deceit, perswading another that they are worth more than they are. 2. Not by extortion working upon mens ignorance, error or necessity (of which more anon). 3. Not of any one that is poorer than your self, or of any one that intendeth but an equal bargain. 4. But if you deal with the rich, who in generosity or liberality stick not at a small matter, and are willing another should be a gainer by them, and understand what they do, it is lawful to take as much as they will give you.
§. 3. Quest. 3. May I ask in the Market more than my goods are truly worth?1
- 1Quest. 3.
Answ. In the case last mentioned you may; when you are selling to the Rich who are willing to show their generosity, and to make you gainers: But then the honest way is to say, It is worth but so much; but if you will give so much more because I need it, I will take it thankfully. Some think also where the common custom is to ask more than the worth, and people will not buy unless you come down from your first demand, that then you may lawfully ask more, because else there is no trading with such people. My judgement in this case is this, 1. That ordinarily it is better to ask no more at all than a just gain: And that the inconveniences of doing otherwise are greater than any on the other side: For he that heareth you ask unjustly, may well think that you would take unjustly if you could get it, and consequently that you are unjust. 2. But this just gain lieth not always just in an indivisible quantity, or determinate price. A man that hath a family to maintain by his trade, may lawfully take a proportionable moderate gain: Though if he take less he may get something too: To be always just at a word, is not convenient: For he that may lawfully get two