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

3. This Veracity will teach the Tradesman, To avoid all unjust Disparagements of a Commodity▪ Thus we read, Prov. 20. 14. The Buyer saith, it is naught, it is naught, but whom he goeth away he boasteth. But the Gain you reap by such Artifices, will not balance the Guilt you contract by such double dealing. Forge not therefore any causeless Exceptions; for your own Conscience must needs (if you have any left) give the Lie to your Tongue. Things which are manifestly good, allow them their due Commendations, otherwise you will more disparage your own Judgment, or your Sincerity, than the thing• themselves: Things that are evidently faulty you may plainly, but withal modestly mention their Defects. But be not too confident of wha• is doubtful, but make use of due Caution in respect of your selves, and the like due Charity i• respect of your Neighbour. Ruin not his Credit, because he hath sometimes a Commodity▪ which will not pass the muster: nor aggravate a Defect above Demerit of it, for that savours of Spite and Uncharitableness. You may think ⟨p. 149⟩that your Tongues are your own, and being voluble, by them you can enhance or depress what you please; but all this is but a sort of Cheating, which the less it falls under the Cognizance of Man's Law, the more it is obnoxious to the Justice of God.

3. This Veracity will teach the Tradesman, To avoid all unjust Disparagements of a Commodity▪ Thus we read, Prov. 20. 14. The Buyer saith, it is naught, it is naught, but whon he goeth away he boasteth. But the Gain you reap by such Artifices, will not ballance the Guilt you contract by such double dealing. Forge not therefore any causless Exceptions; for your own Conscience must needs (if you have any left) give the Lie to your Tongue. Things which are manifestly good, allow them their due Commendations, otherwise you will more disparage your own Judgment, or your Sincerity, than the thing• themselves: Things that are evidently faulty you may plainly, but withal modestly mention their Defects. But be not too confident of wha is doubtful, but make use of due Caution in respect of your selves, and the like due Charity i respect of your Neighbour. Ruin not his Credit, because he hath sometimes a Commodity which will not pass the muster: nor aggravate a Defect above Demerit of it, for that savours of Spite and Uncharitableness. You may think