A61398:202
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.
This reaches such Handicraftsmen who promise to do such a piece of Work; but never heed what ⟨p. 101⟩they promise, and never heed how they perform it. This is Injustice.
If you answer, That your Purpose went along with your Promise, but that unexpected Accidents prevented your Performance; other Work of more haste or profit came in; you had unforeseen Diversions, &c. I reply; Your Promises then ought to be conditional, and such as he who employeth you will admit of, or else you wrong him to advantage your self, or to gratify another. And if unavoidable necessity compel you to fail in any Promise, apply your self to the Party injured, endeavour someway to satisfy him, and rescue your Reputation: For in all these breaches of Promises, besides the Sin, this Mischief naturally results from them, that no body at length will trust you, which is next to being buried alive.
If you answer, That your Purpose went along with your Promise, but that unexpected Accidents prevented your Performance; other Work of more haste or profit came in; you had unforeseen Diversions, &c. I reply; Your Promises then ought to be conditional, and such as he who imployeth you will admit of, or else you wrong him to advantage your self, or to gratify another. And if unavoidable necessity compel you to fail in any Promise, apply your self to the Party injured, indeavour someway to satisfie him, and rescue your Reputation: For in all these breaches of Promises, besides the Sin, this Mischief naturally results from them, that no body at length will trust you, which is next to being buried alive.
And other Tradesmen, that agree for a Commodity, but the Market falling, or some other Contingence happening, never come for it. This is Injustice. Others solemnly promise to pay such a Sum of Money at such a Day; The Day comes, but no Money, nor perhaps any Message to crave further time. This is Injustice. Justice requires a punctual exactness; else all Humane Society is broken, Conscience is debauched; and he that commonly breaks his Promises to Men, will easily break his Covenants with God.