A61398:226
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.
The like sinful Injustice there is, in such an engrossing of Commodities, as doth manifestly tend to the undoing of many, for the enriching of a few, whether this be done by single Persons or Societies; if the Prejudice redound to many, and the Profit to a few, it is a common Injury, it is a making haste to be rich by Oppression, which tho your present Gain blind you from seeing; yet the righteous God, who is the common Father to all, will one time or other be sure to reckon about it. Surely none of you would be content, or had ⟨p. 118⟩reason to be content to be so used.
The like sinful Injustice there is, in such an ingrossing of Commodities, as doth manifestly tend to the undoing of many, for the inriching of a few, whether this be done by single Persons or Societies; if the Prejudice redound to many, and the Profit to a few, it is a common Injury, it is a making haste to be rich by Oppression, which tho your present Gain blind you from seeing; yet the righteous God, who is the common Father to all, will one time or other be sure to reckon about it. Surely none of you would be content, or had ⟨p. 118⟩reason to be content to be so used.
Above all, that Injustice is intolerable which is offered to your Partners that repose the same Confidence in you, as they do in themselves; and where you are bound by the strictest Ties of Law, and Conscience, and mutual Confidence to be exactly just. So that to undermine one another, or to purloin from one another is a Crime that deserves the severest Censure; and of which none will be guilty, that have not dismissed all Love of Virtue, or Fear of Shame.
Above all, that Injustice is intolerable which is offered to your Partners that repose the same Confidence in you, as they do in themselves; and where you are bound by the strictest Ties of Law, and Conscience, and mutual Confidence to be exactly just. So that to undermine one another, or to purloin from one another is a Crime that deserves the severest Censure; and of which none will be guilty, that have not dismist all Love of Vertue, or Fear of Shame.