A61398:244
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.
Take thy ill-gotten Goods in thy Hand (as that Philosopher did his Estate, when he threw it into the Sea) and resolve, 'tis better that these Things be lost for me, than with me: What shall a Man give in exchange for his Soul?
Perhaps you will plead your Inability: that if every Bird had its own Feathers, you should be left absolutely naked; and in short, that your whole Estate would not recompense those whom you have wronged.
Perhaps you will plead your Inability: that if every Bird had its own Feathers, you should be left absolutely naked; and in short, that your whole Estate would not recompense those whom you have wrong'd.
Answ. Total Inability excuses Restitution in the Kind, but yet there must be Restitution in the Mind. The Will you must have at present, and the Deed (except remitted) if ever you be able. In the mean time you ought to mourn, that you have wronged your Neighbour in Actions, and can only right him in your Wishes. And sure there is some just Hand of God in it, that your Estate (though increased by your wronging of ⟨p. 132⟩others) should be brought to such an Ebb, that you are now unable to make just Restitution. Surely God hath blown upon it with his Curse already; and you may find by this, that no Industry or Cunning can assure ill-gotten Goods. And as sure as this Curse follows you externally; so surely (without Repentance and Restitution) will it follow you eternally. And therefore you are quite out in your Arguing, you cannot restore, because it will make you poor; for if you do not restore, you will be poorer still: And then it's better to be poor with God's Blessing, than poor with his Curse. And grant it do bring you low, to restore every Man his own; alas! it doth only deliver you from that Estate, which would do you hurt, and strip you of some Garments, that would keep you too hot. However the Event, Duty must be done, whether we grow rich or poor by it. Poverty and Piety are better company than Riches and Sin. And if you can trust God (and otherwise you cannot be saved) he can and will, if it be for your good, make you amends for your Self-denial, and give you Goods and a good Conscience also: