Christian ethics -- Fiction; Christian fiction; Conduct of life -- Fiction
For the first: He {123c} must observe what hath been said before, to
wit, he must have conscience to God, charity to his neighbour; and I
will add, much moderation in dealing. Let him therefore keep within the
bounds of the affirmative of those eight reasons that before were urged
to prove, that men ought not in their Dealing, but to do Justly and
mercifully ’twixt man and man; and then there will be no great fear of
wronging the seller, buyer, or himself.
But particularly to prepare, or instruct a man to this work:
1. Let the Tradesman or others consider, that there is not that in
great Gettings, and in abundance, which the most of men do suppose: For
all that a man has over and above what serves for his present necessity
and supply, serves only to feed the lusts of the eye. For what good
is there to the owners thereof, save the beholding of them with their
eyes? {123d} Men also, many times, in getting of riches, get therewith
a snare to their soul: {123e} But few get good by getting of them. But
this consideration, Mr. Badman could not abide.
2. Consider, that the getting of wealth dishonestly (as he does, that
getteth it without good conscience and charity to his neighbour,) is a
great offender against God. Hence he says, I have smitten mine hands
at thy dishonest gain, which thou hast made. {124a} It is a manner of
speech that shews anger in the very making of mention of the Crime.
Therefore,
3. Consider, that a little honestly gotten, though it may yield thee
but a dinner of herbs at a time, will yield more peace therewith, than
will a stalled Ox, ill gotten. Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues without right. {124b}
4. Be thou confident, that Gods eyes are upon all thy wayes, and that
he pondereth all thy goings, and also that he marks them, writes them
down, and seals them up in a bag, against the time to come. {124c}
5. Be thou sure that thou remembrest, that thou knowest not the day
of thy death. Remember also, that when death comes, God will give thy
substance, for the which thou hast laboured, and for the which perhaps
thou hast hazarded thy soul, to one, thou knowest not who, nor whether
he shall be a wise man or a fool. And then, what profit hath he that
laboureth for the wind? {124d}
Besides, thou shalt have nothing that thou mayest so much as carry
away in thine hand. Guilt shall goe with thee, if thou hast got it
dishonestly, and they also to whom thou shalt leave it, shall receive
it to their hurt.
These things duly considered, and made use of by thee to the preparing
of thy heart to thy calling of buying or selling; I come in the next
place to shew thee how thou shouldest live in the practick part of this
art. Art thou to buy or sell?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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