A61398:192
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 3: Of Justice in a Trade.
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.
1. Its general Nature: It is a gracious Habit. An Habit, and so rooted and fixed in the Soul, and will exert it self when no body is present to applaud or to disgrace: an Habit, and so readily inclining a Man to Actions suitable to it self. For neither is the Habit within sufficient, nor the Acts without, they must go both together: And then a gracious Habit: For tho Morality may restrain unjust Actions, and smooth the outward Conversation; yet it cannot breed in the Heart a love of Justice, as it is pleasing to God; especially when the Practice of it crosses a beloved Interest: No, that the Spirit of God must work. For the Fruit of the Spirit, is in all Goodness, and Righteousness, and Truth: Ephes. 5. 9. And then,
1. Its general Nature: It is a gracious Habit. An Habit, and so rooted and fix'd in the Soul, and will exert it self when no body is present to applaud or to disgrace: an Habit, and so readily inclining a Man to Actions sutable to it self. For neither is the Habit within sufficient, nor the Acts without, they must go both together: And then a gracious Habit: For tho Morality may restrain unjust Actions, and smooth the outward Conversation; yet it cannot breed in the Heart a love of Justice, as it is pleasing to God; especially when the Practice of it crosses a beloved Interest: No, that the Spirit of God must work. For the Fruit of the Spirit, is in all Goodness, and Righteousness, and Truth: Ephes. 5. 9. And then,
2. The particular difference of this from other gracious Habits is, that this inclines us constantly to render to every one their Right. It supposes that there is a Property which every Man hath in these outward things, and that the World lies not in common. And that an intercourse is necessary among Men for their mutual well-being; that no Man can so subsist of himself, but that he hath use or need of others. Then steps in Justice to regulate all such Negotiations, and teaches, and disposes the honest Tradesman to render to every one what of right belongeth to him. To Superiors, Inferiors, Equals, Relations, and generally to every one, that he may be able to say