A Gospel Glass, Treatise · Chapter 25
CHAP. XXV. Their unrighteouſneſs, or unfaithfulneſs in Trading.
ALas! Profeſsors miſcarriages in Trading with reference to Buyers and Sellers.Alas! Inſtead of Mercifulneſs, Behold Oppreſſion, Violence, Deceit, Fraud, &c. This is a Lamentation, and ſhould be for a Lamentation. Inſtead of giving to others that which is our own, we deny them that which is their own: Inſtead of letting goe our own right, and thoſe dues, which in Juſtice others are bound to pay unto us; yea, inſtead of giving more of our own, to help them in their neceſſities, (which Mercy calls for, even not only not to require, what others owe us, when Providence hath diſ-enabled them to pay us, but alſo to give them more to ſupport their feeble ſtate withall) behold Injuſtice, in propriety of ſpeech. What defraudings is there one of another? How do men, not only take all advantages of their Brethren, to get what is due to them, as to ſeize on a Mortgage, when the Mortgage-money cannot be paid, or to ſue a bond, or turn a man out of his leaſe, when the day of payment is miſt, &c. but alſo take advantage from the neceſſities of the poor to over reach them, to get from them, either their houſes or goods, to be ſure what is not their own? Have not we grinded the faces of the poor? God will reckon for this ſpeedily. Look over the Prophets, and ſee whether unmercifullneſs and unrighteouſneſs ever went unpuniſhed.
How few are there who mete to others, as they would have them to meaſure to themſelves? The rule of Chriſt, whereby peace among men would be preſerved, and much ſcandal prevented, is not heeded by us. We do not deal with others, as we would be dealt with, though Chriſt ſayes unto us, Mat. 7.12. Phil. 4.8.All things whatſoever ye would that men ſhould do unto you, do ye even ſo unto them: for this is the Law and the Prophets, and though we are alſo exhorted by the Apoſtle to follow what ever things are true, and honest, and juſt, and pure, and lovely. We are apt to follow a multitude to do evil, what the greater part of the world are wont to do, is the rule whereby we ſteer; hence we vary from that rule of righteouſneſs, which the Lord hath preſcribed: through the prevalency of ſelf-love, through a covetous humour, As to Sellers, ſelling for as much as can be got.we are loth to heed, what may any whit thwart a worldly intereſt.
How common, but curſed a principle is it, that every man may get for his wares, as much as he can? Hence men take advantage of others neceſſities, or of their want of skill: Hence bad wares are put into mens hands for good wares, or elſe unreaſonable demands are made to the prejudice of the buyer: would we be ſo dealt with?
When men depend upon our honeſty and ingenuity to ſell them a good pennyworth, Overreaching thoſe that truſt.how common is it with a glavering tongue, and ſeeming affection to our Neighbours good, to over-reach him, and cheat him, though he repoſeth confidence in us?
How commonly do men demand a farr greater ſum for their wares, Asking more than they will accept.than they will accept? Hereby they ſhew an oppreſſing mind, if their Cuſtomers would but comply with them. The Quakers will riſe up in Judgement, to condemn this generation. Is it not a foul ſhame, that they by their light within (which at beſt is but the light of a natural Conſcience) ſhould exceed others, who pretend to an higher principle, even the light of Grace? But O! how do men mind profit more than their own honour and reputation, yea (which is more inexcuſable) than the reputation of Chriſt and his Goſpel? The name of God ſuffers, not ſo much when thou art rotten hearted in thy Cloſet, as it doth when thou art a Cheater in thy Shop. But wo and alas! Men are ſo ſet upon gain, that they can be contented to be voiced for Cheats and Couſe…ers, ſo they may but greaten their Eſtates: This is a ſalve for their ſoar: they cannot be ignorant how the Goſpel ſuffers, and how many prejudices are ſtrengthned in the hearts of wicked men againſt Religion, by obſerving Profeſſours unſeaſonable demands for their Wares, and yet they continue grievous exacters. Is it not matter of lamentation, that ſome profeſs, they had rather deal with a Turk, or with a Jew, than with ſuch and ſuch a Chriſtian? And that they meet with fairer Quarter from Drunkards, &c. in their Trades, than from Preciſians? Rom. 2.24.By reaſon of you the Name of God is blaſphemed among the Gentiles. Wherein doth your Light ſhine before men? They cannot dive into your hearts, they can only diſcern your actions: They know not what your Love to God is, though you pretend much to knowledge, yet knowledge void of charity and honeſty, is to them an abomination.
How few trade in fear, Not fearing Soulloſses even in their gains.leſt by getting an Eſtate, they loſe God, and a good Conſcience? When one told Latimer, That he was conſened in paying for a Knife double to what it was worth, No, (ſaid he) He hath not couſened me, but his own Conſcience. No wonder that Tradeſmen complain of deadneſs in their Familſies and Cloſets, and impute it to their Callings, (and thereby charge God implicitly) Alas! it is not their Calling hath ſtraitned and deadned their hearts towards God; but their oppreſſion and deceit in their buſineſſes, hath provoked God to leave them; and then they are, in the buſineſs of God, like a ſilly Dove, without an heart. Hath not God expreſly charged you, Let no man goe beyond, 1 Theſ. 4.6.or over-reach another in any matter, becauſe that the Lord is the Avenger of all ſuch? The vengeance of God is upon thee, in the ſtraitneſs of thy Spirit in Duties, and without Repentance it will follow thee, till it hath laid thee in the Pit of Hell.
How do men labour to ingroſs all Trade to themſelves, Ingroſsing all Trade.by exclaiming againſt their Neighbours, and by under-ſelling them, at one time, that they may engage the Buyer to become their Cuſtomer, of whom they will ſurely fetch out their penny-worths, in the next bargain that is driven?
How do men boaſt of their ſelling their Commodities at ſuch and ſuch Rates, Boaſting of ſelling too dear.though their Conſciences muſt needs ſuggeſt to them, that they have over-ſold them, and therein have declined the rules of moderation and righteouſneſs?
When you have ſelled too dear, Loth to make Reſtitution.and ſo cheated your Brother, though Conſcience, in times of ſickneſs and danger, begins to contend with you about it, yet how loth are you to make reſtitution for the wrong you have offered? How unlike are you to them in Nehemiah? Then ſaid they, We will reſtore them, and will require nothing of them; Nehem. 5.12, 13.ſo will we do as thou ſayeſt. If a Nehemiah ſhould ſay, So God ſhake out every man from his houſe, and from his labour, that performeth not this promiſe, even thus be he ſhaken out and emptied, you would hardly ſay Amen, and praiſe the Lord.
When men buy a Commodity, As to Buyers, crying out 'tis naught.how apt are they to diſcommend it, to bring down the price, to ſay, It is naught, when all the while they know it is offered on eaſie terms? How do Buyers take the Advantage of the Seller's Ignorance of the worth of his own Goods? There is a curſed Proverb amongſt Engliſh-men, but in too great requeſt, That a man may not only ſell as dear, but buy as cheap as he can. Few like Auſtin, that bought a Book, at an unskilful Stationer's hands, for an inconſiderable price, and afterwards gave the value of it. Prov. 20.17.Bread of deceit is ſweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth ſhall be filled with gravel.
How often do Buyers (even as Sellers often ſay, they will not, Saying, They will give no more, and yet do.they cannot take a penny leſs for ſuch a Commodity, ſo) anſwer, that they will not give a farthing more, for what they have cheapened, and yet all the while intend to come up to the Seller's price?
How common is it, Falling at the day of payment.for men to take up Wares, and to promiſe payment at ſuch a day, and yet fail? Yea, how do they promiſe, though they know they ſhall not be able to be as good as their word? It were better for thee to begg thy bread, than thus to ſteal from thy Neighbour. Thou art aſhamed to begg, as he of old: thou ſhouldſt be aſhamed much more to do worſe, viz. to defraud thy Neighbour. Prov. 21.6.The getting of treaſures by alying tongue, is a vanity, toſſed to and fro of them that ſeek death: It is a thing very frequent, toſſed to and fro, but it is a vanity, and they that uſe it are Felones de…ſe, they do but ſeek death and deſtruction by it.
How few are there, As to Buyers and Sellers both.that in their buring and ſelling, give a proof of their loving their Neighbours as themſelves, their Neighbours goods and welfare as their own?
O! 1 Pet. 1.15.When will ye be holy in all manner of converſation? Holy in your Trades, as well as in your Church-Aſſemblies? Holy in the Shop, and in all…ſecular employments? So holy, as to abide with God in your Calling? When will ye trade for God, rather than for Self? When will ye labour with your hands, Eph. 4.28.that ye may be able to give, and not only to receive? When will ye trade in fear, and be in the fear of the Lord all the day; and that, leſt your Shop ſhould prove your bane; and whilſt ſeeking after the Mammon of this life, ye loſe the true Subſtance? Is this thy Prayer before thou entereſt upon thy Calling? (O that it were! Lord help me to trade for thee, whilſt for my ſelf; and for the good of my Neighbours Soul, Body, Goods, as well as for my own.
How few, With reference to the King, Stealing Cuſtomes.among all the ſeveral ſorts of Traders, render to Caeſar the things that are Caeſar's? Hierome long ſince hath told you, That Caeſar is not Proper, but Appellative. All the Emperours were called Caeſars, from Julius Caeſar.Confiderations againſt it.
How can you quiet your Conſciences to ſteal Cuſtome, as many of you do? What is it, ſave the Law, that gives you right to all you have? And by the Law, ſo much of your Goods is the King's: it is alienated from you to his Crown and Revenue: How dare you cheat him? Should you think it hard meaſure to pay ſo great a tribute? Have you forgot what Chriſt (who came under the Law) d…d? Mat. 17.24, 25, 26, 27.Though tribute was exacted of him, when the Children were free, yet he would work a Miracle, rather than give offence, in denying to pay the Fine, that was impoſed on him. Why do ye not take the ſafeſt courſe, if it be a diſputable matter? To be ſure you will not give offence to God, to the King, to your Conſcience, by paying Cuſtomes; but you may to all by defrauding. Do you herein as you would be dealt with? If you were the Head, would you have the inferiour Members impoveriſh the Head? If you were the Political Father, would you have your Children cheat you? Do not you by bribes and otherwiſe, tempt the King's Officers to be falſe to their truſt, and to damn their Souls by perjury and treachery?
Laſtly, Conſider, that ſelf-love, and ſelf-intereſt are prevalent, as to make you to favour and enrich your ſelves, ſo alſo to bribe your minds and judgements, and to enſlave them to your baſe paſsions. O! Conſider how apt is every one unequally to favour himſelf, and to ſuck in any corrupt and abſurd reaſonings, whereby he may greaten himſelf, though by the ruine of others? If you ſay (as they of the Silver-ſhrines, This brings in our gain) We cannot ſubſiſt without ſtealing Cuſtomes: How elſe can we live? A Father will tell you, Indigna vox Chriſtiano, &c. It ill becomes a Chriſtians mouth, to ask, How ſhall I live? Not one that Chriſt call'd to forſake Trades and Profeſſions, did ever anſwer him, I muſt not give over my gain. They only reformed, or relinquiſhed their Trades, when Chriſt call'd them. Till you can relinquiſh unlawful gains, you are none of Chriſts Diſciples. Thoſe in the Acts, that burnt their unlawful Books, to the loſs of thouſands, Acts 19.20.ſhewed themſelves true Converts, ſo mightily grew the Word and prevailed. O! When Tyre ſhall be converted, her trading and dealings ſhall be ſacred, Iſa. 23.18.Her merchandiſe, and her hire ſhall be holineſs to the Lord.
Here give me leave to add the Sin of Lyeing, Their Lying.too too common among all ſorts of Traders, as well as others. And truly this Sin comes not improperly under the Head of Injuſtice. V. Patrick's Epitome of Mans Duty. P. 45, 46.Juſtice, even when it is not taken moſt largely, (ſo it is taken for all Religion) comprehends our whole duty to our Neighbour, as to matters of right: Thus, by vertue of the fifth Commandement, to do juſtly, is to give our Parents their due honour, whether they be Natural, Civil, or Spiritual: In reſpect of the ſixth, it is to preſerve the Life of our Neighbour, and to have a care, that we injure him not in his beeing: In reference to the ſeventh, it is to preſerve his juſt Relations, and not touch them, or cauſe the violation of their faith to to him: in reference to the eighth, it is to preſerve his eſtate, and not meddle with his goods: the 9th. requires that we preſerve his good name, and not defame him, nor do any prejudice to his credit, no more than we would to his eſtate: and by vertue of the tenth, we are to moderate our very deſires, ſo as not to envy him that which is his, nor to long to have it in our poſſeſſion. To be ſure there is righteouſneſs to be look'd after in words and expreſſions, as well as in deeds and actions. But alas! How doth the ſin of lying abound among us? (And no wonder when Perjury is ſo common a ſinne) for this God hath a controverſie with the Land. Hoſ. 4.1, 2.Is there not need to take heed every one of his Neighbour, and not to truſt in any Brother? Jer. 9.4, 5.will not every one deceive his Neighbour, and not ſpeak the truth? Have not they taught their tongue to ſpeak lies? If you are not couzeninglyers, or falſe-witneſs-lyers, yet are you not reviling-lyers? Do you not upon every petty difference ſpeak of one another ye care not what? do ye not ſpread lying defamations? Jer. 20.10.I heard the defaming of many — report ſay they, and we will report. Is not the fawning-lyer common among us? Their words are the words of Jacob, but their hands are the hands of Eſau. Pſal. 55.21.The words of their mouths are ſmoother than butter, but warr is in their hearts: their words are ſofter than oyl, yet are they drawn ſwords: their is no faithfulneſs in their mouth, their throat is an open ſepulcher. Upon this occaſion give me leave to uſe David's Prayer, Help Lord, for the godly man ceaſeth, Pſal. 12.1, 2.for the faithful fail from among the Children of men. Why, wherein conſiſts their ungodlineſs? they ſpeak vanity every one with his Neighbour: with flattering lips, and with a double heart do they ſpeak. Is there not alſo many a Newes-telling lyer among us? They believe in their Conſciences, that it is falſe, Hoſ. 7.3.what they relate; and yet, to promote an intereſt, for to make hearts glad with lyes, they will ſpread that which is falſe. How many officious-lyers have we, who tell lyes for ſome good end (as they think?) The higheſt end is Gods glory; but will ye speak wickedly for God, Job 13.7.and talk deceitfully for him? The Vulgar reads the Text, Numquid Deus indiget veſtro mendacio? It contains a truth, though not the ſenſe of the place: What! hath God need of your lye? It is a diſhonour to God to be thus help'd. And if we muſt not ſpeak evil, that good may come to God, ſure then we may not (whatever the Roman Doctours teach us) ſpeak evil, that good may come to our ſelves.
How can you think you are Gods Children? Conſiderations againſt Lying. Iſa. 63.8.God engageth himſelf for his people, that ſurely they will not lye, ſurely they are my people, children that will not lye. Auſtin long agoe gave his judgement concerning lying, that a man muſt not tell a lye to ſave the whole world: if it were (ſaith he) to ſave thy Father or thy Mother out of Hell, if poſsibly it could be, thou muſt not tell a lye, or if it were to ſave a Kingdom from deſtruction: And yet to gain a little mirth, or to gain a penny, or to prevent the frowns of a Superiour, how do ſome teach their tongues to lye? Not conſidering, Prov. 6.17.that among the ſeven things that are an abomination to the Lord, lying is one, yea, (as one obſerves) he repeats lying twice, though under ſeveral names: Rev. 21.8. Tit. 1.2.that all lyers ſhall have their portion in the burning lake: that herein they are like unto the Devil, who is the Father of lyes, and moſt unlike unto God, Eph. 4.25.who cannot lye. O then! put away lying, and ſpeak the truth; away with mental reſervations, and Jeſuitical aequivocations. Let thy tongue be the faithful interpreter of thy heart. Be faithful in your promiſes and engagements, be not yea and nay. Remember Cicero the Heathen's ſaying: None but the moſt villanous will deceive him, who had been ſafe, if he had not truſted.