A26892:8900
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. Yes, if you do it not out of a greedy mind, nor to the injury of one that is poorer than your self: You should rather further the supply of your neighbours greater needs: Otherwise speed and industry in your Calling is no fault, nor yet the crossing of a covetous mans desires: You are not bound to let every man have what he would have?
§. 15. Quest. 14. May I buy a thing out of another's hand, or hire a servant, which another is about,1 or is treating with? Or may I call a Chapman from another to buy of me?
§. 15. Quest. 14. May I buy a thing out of anothers hand, or hire a servant, which another is about,1 or is treating with? Or may I call a Chapman from another to buy of me?
- 1Quest. 14.
Answ. There are some cases in which you may not do it, and some in which you may. You may not do it out of greedy covetousness; nor to the injury of the poor: nor when the other hath gone so far in the bargain that it cannot be honestly broken: For then you injure the third person, and tempt the other to a sin: nor may you do it so as to disturb that due and Civil order, which should be among moderate men in trading. And it is a great matter how the thing is accounted of by the custom of the Country or Market where you bargain: For where it is of ill report, and accounted as unjust, the scandal should make you avoid such a course. But yet in some cases it is lawful, and in some a needful duty. It is lawful when none of the foresaid reasons (or any such other) are against it: It is a duty when Charity to the poor or oppressed doth require it. As e. g. a poor man must needs sell his Land, his Horse, his Corn or Goods: A Covetous oppressor offereth him less than it is worth. The poor man must take his offer if he can get no more: The oppressor saith that it is injustice for any one to take his bargain out of his hand, or offer money till he have done: In this case it may be a duty, to offer the poor man the worth of his commodity, and save him from the oppressor. A covetous man offereth a Servant or Labourer less than their service or labour is worth; and will accuse you, if you interrupt his bargain and would offer his Servant more: In this case it may be your duty to help the servant to a better Master. A Chapman is ready to be cheated by an unconscionable Tradesman, to give much more for a commodity than its worth: Charity may oblige you in such a case to offer it him cheaper. In a