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

4. This Veracity of the Tradesman consists, In abhorring to affirm or say what is Untruth, either about the Kind, or Price of his Commodity. This is so plain a case, that one would think none so base and wicked, as to offend herein. But daily Experience proves, that this is too usual. To pretend a Commodity is of one Kind or Country, and it is of another; that it is faultless, when you strive only to cover them; to affirm that the Beast is sound, when he is lame; that the Manufacture is of such an excellent Artist's Work, when it is not; that is cost you two Shillings, when it never did; that you cannot afford it under such a Price, when your own Conscience doth or may tell you, that you can; that you have refused so much for it, when it was never offered you; that you never sold it at such a low rate, when you know that you have. These and all such like Affirmations, are directly against Truth and Veracity; and you have strongly stupefied and imposed upon your own Conscience, that dare trade with these Falsities. Does not the God of Truth stand by you and hear every Word? and may not he justly, how soon you know not, cram these Lies down your Throats and choke you with them? Well, his Forbearance is no Acquittance. If, for every Lie, your Tongue were bored through with an ⟨p. 150⟩hot Iron, would you be so brisk with them? Alas, without a sound Repentance, a far greater Torment is prepared for you. Resolve therefore, if Truth will not maintain you, Falsehood never shall. An Estate gotten by Deceit, will deceive him that gets it. And the Wise Man hath determined, That a poor Man is better than a Liar: Prov. 19. 22.

4. This Veracity of the Tradasman consists, In abhorring to affirm or say what is Untruth, either about the Kind, or Price of his Commodity. This is so plain a case, that one would think none so base and wicked, as to offend herein. But daily Experience proves, that this is too usual. To pretend a Commodity is of one Kind or Country, and it is of another; that it is faultless, when you strive only to cover them; to affirm that the Beast is sound, when he is lame; that the Manufacture is of such an excellent Artist's Work, when it is not; that is cost you two Shillings, when it never did; that you cannot afford it under such a Price, when your own Conscience doth or may tell you, that you can; that you have refused so much for it, when it was never offered you; that you never sold it at such a low rate, when you know that you have. These and all such like Affirmations, are directly against Truth and Veracity; and you have strongly stupified and imposed upon your own Conscience, that dare trade with these Falsities. Does not the God of Truth stand by you and hear every Word? and may not he justly, how soon you know not, cram these Lies down your Throats and choak you with them? Well, his Forbearance is no Acquittance. If, for every Lie, your Tongue were boar'd through with an