A discourse concerning old-age tending to the instruction, caution and comfort of aged persons…

Beware therefore of this unworthy Trade: believe, that what you save or gain by indirect ways, brings to you a Curse along with it; resolve, that if you cannot stand by plain dealing, to fall with it, your fall will be glorious. Esau was a cunning Fellow, but Jacob was a plain man, and so should all his Off-spring be. But if you will needs be exercising your Talent, employ it in a wise contriving, which way to do good to your Neighbour. So did St. Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 16. Being crafty, I caught you by Guile, but he sought not theirs, but them. You may also exercise your utmost prudence, in the preserving your outward Estate and Credit; provided always, you do it not out of an inordinate affection to these things, nor to the injury or prejudice of any other: for that which doth harm to your Neighbour, will never do good to you, there being a just God that, Job 5. 13. taketh the wise in their own Craftiness, and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

Beware therefore of this unworthy Trade: believe, that what you save or gain by indirect ways, brings to you a Curse along with it; resolve, that if you cannot stand by plain dealing, to fall with it, your fall will be glorious. Esau was a cunning Fellow, but Iacob was a plain man, and so should all his Off-spring be. But if you will needs be exercising your Talent, imploy it in a wise contriving, which way to do good to your Neighbour. So did St. Paul, 2 Cor. 12. 16. Being crafty, I caught you by Guile, but he sought not theirs, but them. You may also exercise your utmost prudence, in the preserving your outward Estate and Credit; provided always, you do it not out of an inordinate affection to these things, nor to the injury or prejudice of any other: for that which doth harm to your Neighbour, will never do good to you, there being a just God that, Iob 5. 13. taketh the wise in their own Craftiness, and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.