A61398:196
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.) It is commanded by the Law of Nature. Those strictures of Man's primitive Righteousness which are left in him, do teach him this. It was an Heathen Emperor that made choice of this Motto; Quid tibi non vis fieri, alteri ne feceris. What you would not have done to you, do not to another. Which being rightly understood, is both the Foundation and the Rule of Justice. Every Man would desire to be justly dealt with; and is it not equal and reasonable, to render to every man, that which we expect from every man? It is scarce possible to obliterate this Principle out of natural Conscience: and they that act otherwise, do overthrow the common Principles of Nature and right Reason.
(1.) It is commanded by the Law of Nature. Those strictures of Man's primitive Righteousness which are left in him, do teach him this. It was an Heathen Emperour that made choice of this Motto; Quid tibi non vis fieri, alteri ne feceris. What you would not have done to you, do not to another. Which being rightly understood, is both the Foundation and the Rule of Justice. Every Man would desire to be justly dealt with; and is it not equal and reasonable, to render to every man, that which we expect from every man? It is scarce possible to obliterate this Principle out of natural Conscience: and they that act otherwise, do overthrow the common Principles of Nature and right Reason.
(2.) It is commanded by the written Law of God. This is the tenor of all the second Table of the Moral Law, and is particularly intended in the eighth Commandment, which saith, Thou shalt not steal. Which is nothing else but the reviving of the Law of Nature, or a new Edition thereof. Other Scriptures are frequent, and express to this purpose. Deut. 16. 20. That which is altogether just (or, as the Hebrew emphatically, Justice, Justicer) shalt thou follow. Which Law is strengthened with the threatenings of Punishment in case of disobedience frequently in the Scripture, and clear Instances of the Performance thereof accordingly. In short, the Righteous God whom we worship, is ⟨p. 98⟩