A61398:235
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.
IV. And here let us stay a while, and make some Application of all this, which is the fourth Thing to be handled upon this Head.
1. By way of Reflection. Have you been exactly just in all the above-said Instances? Examine your own Consciences. Perhaps no Man can charge you with any Injustice; but what says Conscience? bring it to that Rule, Whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you, do ye likewise to them: If Conscience be not blind, it will see something amiss; if it be not seared, it will speak, and make you hear it; and the softest Pillow will not give you sleep till you have made your peace both with God and Man. And withal take notice, that it is not sufficient to entitle you to the Favour of God, that you have done as you would ⟨p. 126⟩be done by; unless your Principle be right, that the Fear of God and the Authority of a sanctified Conscience incline you to it. Can you say as Neh. 5. 15. other Governors before did so and so; but so did not I, because of the Fear of God? I was careful of my Credit, I was fearful of Disgrace; but the chief Bridle that kept me from doing any Wrong, was the Fear of God. And though others made no scruple to use such Tricks, nothing hath been more common than such and such Methods, yet so did not I do, nor ever will, because of the Fear of God. And if this hath been your Course, then
1. By way of Reflexion. Have you been exactly just in all the above-said Instances? Examine your own Consciences. Perhaps no Man can charge you with any Injustice; but what says Conscience? bring it to that Rule, Whatsoever ye would that Men should do to you, do ye likewise to them: If Conscience be not blind, it will see something amiss; if it be not sear'd, it will speak, and make you hear it; and the softest Pillow will not give you sleep till you have made your peace both with God and Man. And withal take notice, that it is not sufficient to intitle you to the Favour of God, that you have done as you would ⟨p. 126⟩