The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…

1. The Tradesman's Veracity then consists, In not concealing from your Customer that Truth which by the Law of Equity or Charity you ought to tell him. If you know any secret considerable Fault in your Commodity, it is not sufficient that you make what Abatement you think fit for it, but you ought to discover it to him: for he may, and perhaps upon good Reasons, set a greater ⟨p. 147⟩value upon that defect than you do, and be far more prejudiced by it, than your Abatement comes to: Or if you know any other cause, whereby you may be reasonably assured that the Bargain will turn considerably to his Prejudice, and the forbearing of it will not be an equal Prejudice to you; the Law of Justice and Charity obliges you to give him warning of it. By the same Rule you ought not to pay to any Man that Coin which is not currant, especially to him that confides in your Sincerity; but fairly tell him your Suspicion of it, for otherwise you do not indeed pay him the Sum for which you did agree. In all such cases you would take it well and reckon it for great Integrity, to be advertised your selves, and then it must needs be highly commendable in you, to advertise your Neighbour. Say not, that you only do herein as you were done by, you were deceived in the Coin or Commodity by others, and therefore may now do the like: For you must not deal with others as you are, but as ye would be dealt with; and you will find it an unsound Conclusion at last, to deceive an honest Man, because you have been deceived by a Knave.

1. The Tradesman's Veracity then consists, In not concealing from your Customer that Truth which by the Law of Equity or Charity you ought to tell him. If you know any secret considerable Fault in your Commodity, it is not sufficient that you make what Abatement you think fit for it, but you ought to discover it to him: for he may, and perhaps upon good Reasons, set a greater ⟨p. 147⟩value upon that defect than you do, and be far more prejudic'd by it, than your Abatement comes to: Or if you know any other cause, whereby you may be reasonably assured that the Bargain will turn considerably to his Prejudice, and the forbearing of it will not be an equal Prejudice to you; the Law of Justice and Charity obliges you to give him warning of it. By the same Rule you ought not to pay to any Man that Coyn which is not currant, especially to him that confides in your Sincerity; but fairly tell him your Suspicion of it, for otherwise you do not indeed pay him the Sum for which you did agree. In all such cases you would take it well and reckon it for great Integrity, to be advertis'd your selves, and then it must needs be highly commendable in you, to advertise your Neighbour. Say not, that you only do herein as you were done by, you were deceived in the Coyn or Commodity by others, and therefore may now do the like: For you must not deal with others as you are, but as ye would be dealt with; and you will find it an unsound Conclusion at last, to deceive an honest Man, because you have been deceived by a Knave.