with Corn and put the Money which they brought for the Corn in the mouth oâ— their Sacks again and when they came home and found their Money in the mouth of thâ—ir Sacks they told their Father Jacob of it theâ— said he to them Go back again and take double Money in your hand and the Money that was brought again in the mouth of your Sacks carrie it again in in your hands for peradventure it was an oversight Here was a conscientiousness in Jacob. 8. Do not buy any Commodities on the Lord's Day It is true upon urgent occasions to maintain Life either of Man or Beast this is lawful but to buy any thing that you may well be without till Munday in this case you may sin if you buy any thing on the Lord's Day in Neh. â—0 13 And Nehemiah entred into an Oath and the people with him that if any of the people of the Land brought Waâ—es or any Victuals to sell on the Sabbath day that they should not buy it of them And as the Law did not give them leave to break the Iewish Sabbath so neither doth the Gospel give us leave to break the Christian Sabbath and therefore I cannot see but that is a sin for men to buy either Wine or Beer or Pepper or Mustard or any other trivial thing which they may well be without on the Sabâ—ath Day 7. Do not in buying a Commodity work upon â—he necessity of a poor man that hath need of Money this is a great sin in Tradsmen they know â—hat a poor man wants money and he must sell â—ff his Ware or else he cannot buy bread for his â—amily and therefore he must work upon his necessity and will not buy the Commodity of him â—nless he will sell it cheaper than he can afford it Now this is a great Oppression In the 25th of Levit. 14. If thou buy any thing of thy Neighbour â—r sellest any thing to thy Neighbour thou must not â—se Oppression There is an Oppression in buying as â—ell as in selling It is a great Oppression for rich â—en to work upon the necessity of a poor Man â—o make him sell cheaper than he can afford or â—se to buy nothing at all of him 10. Do not buy those things that are not fit to â—e bought and sold as first Do not buy stolen â—oods they are not fit to be bought If thou knowâ—st that the Goods that are to be bought are stolâ—n Goods they are not to be bought but to be â—estored the Receiver is as bad as the Thief so â—e buyer is as bad as the Thief Secondly Do â—or buy Monuments of Idolatry for they are not â—t to be bought as Crosses Beads and Images â—d Crucifixes and the like Thirdly Do not â—uy Men for Slaves this the Lord reproves in â—mos 2.16 They sold the Righteous for Silver and â—e poor for a pair of Shoes And so in the 17th of â—eâ—t Thou shalt not steall thy Brother and mâ—kâ—â—erchandize of him We should therefore take heed lest we split our Souls upon any of the Rocks and let us labour that among all our bâ—ings we buy that which Christ bids us by Isaiah 55 1. Ho every one that chirsteth come yâ— unto the waters and he that hath no monie coâ— ye and buy come buy wine and milk with money and without price Rules concerning Selling Commodities 1. IF you would not transgress Scripture Rulâ— in Selling Commodities then in the fâ— place do not multiply words in Selling Tâ— Scripture affords many Examples for this as Gen. 13.15 Abraham As I told you before whâ— he was to buy the Cave of Machpelah of Ephron told him that it was worth Four hundred Shekles Silver and Abraham presently gave him so muâ— Currant Money with the Merchant And so Gâ—â— himself takes upon him to be a Seller in Zaâ—â— 11.12 If you think good saith God give my price if not forbear multiplicity of Worâ— is needless In a multitude of words saith Sâ—lomon there is Sin Men should not lavâ— and frollick in a Shop 2 Do not commend and over-praise a Comodity when you know in your Conscience thâ— there is a fault in it This is a vitious carriaâ— in the Seller when he shall use abundance of 〈◊〉 words to set out a Commodity when it is 〈◊〉 good As the Buyer should not discommenâ— Commodity when it is good so should not the Seller over praise and commend a Commodity when it is nought 3. Do not sell thy Commoditys by false Weights nor by false Measures Do not keep a deceitfull Ballance or deceitfull Measure This is commanded in Amos 8.5 They make the Ephah small and the Shekel great and falsifie the Ballances by deceit And so in the 20th of Prov 20. Divers Weights and divers Measures both of them are alike an abomination unto the Lord. Now this is spoken not that the Weights and Measures in themselves are an Abomination to the Lord but only those Men that doe use and keep and sell by those Weights and Measures and therefore the Lord gave a special Law for this to all that did follow Trades in Israel in Deut. 25.14 15. Saith God there Thou shalt not have in thy house divers measures a great and a small that is a great measure to buy and a small one to sell by Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights a great and small but thou shalt have a perfect and a just Weight and a perfect and a just measure shalt thou have that thy days may be long in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee And so in Mic. 6.10 Is there yet saith God the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked and the scant measure which is abomination to the Lord. 4. You are to make Conscience in selling a Commodity not only that you do nor speak falsly but also that you do not speak in an Equivocating manner It is an Observation that Luther hath upon these Words Let no man defraud his Brother Saith he There are many Shop keepe that will not lye but they will Equivocate veâ— much You shall have a Trades-man that sell off a Commodity he will get a Partner wâ— him and he shall offer him so much for a Coâ—modity and then he will tell the next man thâ— comes for that Commodity that there was oâ— that offered him so much for it but even noâ— and then they will say likewise It cost me much when it may be they had other thiâ— with it of greater value and price and it may they had a great deal of time given them to pâ— for it whereas the Buyer payes ready Moneâ— and many other Equivocating words they uâ— which is as bad as lying 5. In selling a Commodity do not work up the ignorance and simplicity of the Man that coâ— to buy the Commodity but if you discern him be unskillful rather use him the better than â— worse In Zech 1 9. says God there In the same dâ—
THE CHRISTIANS Daily PRACTICE of PIETY OR Holy walking with GOD. AS ALSO Scripture Rules to be observed in Buying and Selling. Very Useful for all sorts of People that desires to make Conscience of their ways here and to fit themselves for their great Account hereafter Licensed according to Order London Printed for J. Deacon at the Angel in Gilt-spure street 1698. And Re-printed at Edinburgh by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty 1698. THE CHRISTIANS Daily PRACTICE of PIETY 1. BE sure to get God and the things of God next thy Heart when thou awakest God the World and Satan with his suggestions knocks to get first in Open first to God if Satan or the World hath possession out them speedily and let thy Meditation on God be sweet spend thy first thoughts on him and thy Eternal condition whose thou shall be at the opening of the Graves and the rising of the Dead think also thou art on Night nearer Heaven or Hell resolve to do something towards thy Salvation that day in mortifying some sin and getting nearer to Christ 2. Before thou entertainest the World get more solemnly to God lift up thy heart unto him first in thanksgiving for the Bed blessing thy renewed life and strength and then pour out thy Soul in supplication to him for his grace to enable thee in thy duties to resist the temptations and to be kept from the evils of that day enlarge thy self as time and place will permit read withal some potion of Scripture If thou canst 3. Alter thou hast been with God set a watch upon thy Heart and keep it close that thy Heart 〈◊〉 not depart too far from God that day by setting it over much on the Creatures and thy Calling but keep thy mind heavenly and near to God labouring hourly to keep the sweet relish of God upon thy Soul which thou hadst in thy morning Contemplation and Duty lest thy Mind and Affection cleave to the World and so thou spend that day without God in the World 4. When thy watch is set then set upon thy lawfull Calling with Diligence and good will doing every hours Work as to the Lord live not out of a Calling nor idle in it exercise as much Care as the weightiness of the work requires make Conscience of spending the day well judge a mispent hour no small sin 5. When thou art in thy Calling avoid all just cause of offence to God and Man in Word and Deed do not provoke God to wrath nor those that dwell near thee corrupt not any by thy wanton Carriage wrong not any by unjust dealing be courteous peaceable and harmless do not easily take Offence but be patient long suffering forgetting and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives thee 6. Set a solemn time a-part to pray in and with thy Family twice in the day at least and let those prayer-seasons be when the whole Family can most conveniently assemble and suffer none through sicknesse to be absent let not Evening Prayer-season be deferred too late lest the Body be unable cheerfully to assist the Soul and oft through weariness and heaviness thou loss the Duty and displease God In all these Duties be hearty fervent faithful and serious spend also some of of the day in Meditation of Sin of Christ of Death Judgment and the Life to come 7. Be careful all the day long of thy Discourse for thou must give an account of every idle Word and by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned let all thy Speeches be serious holy in-offensive and edifying weigh before hand what honour thy Discourse will bring to God what good to thy Friend what good or hurt to thy own Soul use not any foolish jesting or taunting reproachful Speeches spend not many words in thy Buying and Selling abhore all lies tales idle stories wanton songs and do not curse nor swear or use the name of God vainly Let the matter of thy discourse be either on the things of God or the necessary works of thy Calling talk not much of other Mens matters back-bite none If thou speak of their Sins let it be with Grief and so avoid the same thy self if of their Godliness let it be to imitate them Remember God stands by he hears and write-down all thou sayest 8. Observe hourly Gods providential dealing with thee or oâ—hers If God hath appeared to thee or others in any eminent mercy or judge ment note that and remember to praise fear and love him for it especially observe what sin he hath shewed thee what hints of his love what hopes of his glory write these in a Book but chiefly in thy Heart for thy supporting in deserting and dying times 9. Have a care all day to the feet of thy Afflections on what they are set they will be apt to settle on the world and sin and withdraw from God and Duty review them continually ask thy self often what thou lovest fearest desirest where thou art and on what and recal thy soul if it be departed from God 10. Take heed of letting loose the Reins to unruly Passions If thou be angry sin not be easie to be intreated again let not the Sun go down on thy wrath abhor railing reviling or stomaching any in thy patience possess thy Soul 11. When thou findest any temptations arising be sure to meet the Tempter in the strength of Christ with some Scripture commands promise or threatning which suits with the nature of the Temptation to repel it and let not the Tempter get too near thee If he be within thee thou art like to be soiled It 's easier to keep out an Enemy than to cast him out when he is in especially eye the Tempter most when he sets on thee to intice thee into thy Constitution Sins 12. Mark every hour the coming and going of the Spirit and attend upon its motions hear what it saith unto thee and when thou feel'st more than ordinary of his presence than examine thy graces mortifie sin cleave heartily to God and delight thy Soul in him withal then labour for assurance of his love but omit not thy calling when thou feelest the Spirit depart let it not go too far before thou criest after it O make thy moan to God speedily for its income again 13. Labour to add something to every grace each day of thy life and to take something from thy sin build up thy knowledge in faith love joy and fear daily lay consideration to the root of all thy graces to quicken them be as careful of the graces of thy Soul as of the Children of thy Body that each may have its meat in due season withdraw thy Soul from every Sin lay the ax to the root of them and be cutting about them every hour 14. Have frequent and hourly recourse to the Blood of Christ by acts of Faith for renewed acts of pardon for thy
renewed sins and keep open the flood-gates of Repentance which must run dayly as thou sinnest daily be perswaded that thy work is never done till thy Life be done also be frequently leaning on Christ and drawing strength from him and help in every undertaking making him thy All in the point of Accession with the Father and assistance in all thy lawful works and duties 15 If thou fail into the sin of a deep dye lye not long in it but apply thy self to Christ for help and though thou must go with shame to God by Christ for forgiveness yet go speedily and lye at the Throne of Grace till thou hast got some sence of God's favour and made up the breach which thy sins made till thy strangeness to God by reason of that sin be removed from thy spirit when thou art wounded it 's not good to lye long from the Physitian 16. Above all take heed lest thou fall into a custom of sinning if one act or two may stand after Illumination of Grace do not think too many will betimes get out of the way of sinning the more thou yieldest the more sad thy case and hard thy cure is 17. Be doing or receiving good in all thy places God shall call thee if thou art among thy Superiours in Grace and Knowledge learn if among those that are weaker teach them suffer not sin to pass by unreproved but be a faithful yet a wise Monitor of those about thee and take reproofs thy self kindly 18. In the Evening of the day perform thy Evening Sacrifice of private and secret prayer and praises for thy special graces mercies and love tokens received that day then give up thy self to God and his protection kiss his Son and let him lye between thy Arms all night meditate on him in the night watches and take thy rest sweetly in the Lord. Nullus Dies sine linea SCRIPTURE RULES To be Observed in Buying and Selling. Rules concerning Buying Commodities 1. IF you would not transgress Scripture Rules in Buying then first take heed that you do not discommend those Commodities that are very good which you are about to buy that so you may not bring down the price of the Commodity and get it for less than it is worth there is a known place of Scripture for this in Prov. 20.14 It is nought saith the buyer but when he gone his way then he boastetâ— People in Solomon's time they were wicked when they came to the Market to buy any thing the Buyer he would discommend the Commodity and say it was nought though it were very good and saleable but when the seller was gone then he would boast of what a good penny-worth he had bought and the like 2. Do not make vows and protestations that you will give no more for a Commodity than what you have first offered when afterwards you will give more This is a very common thing with Tradesmen You shall have a man come to a Shop and cheapen a Commodity and the Buyer he will say He will not give a farthing more and the seller will say He will not take a farthing less and yet both the Buyer gives more and the Sellâ—â— takes less now this is no other than a palpablâ— and downright Lie 3. Do not give counterfeit money for those Commodities you buy This you have an Example oâ— in Abraham when he was to buy the field in Mackâ—pelah of Ephron the Hittite for a Burying-place in Gen. 23.16 saith Abraham I will give thee fouâ— hundred Shekles of Silver current Money with thâ— Merchant and therefore you transgress Scripture Rules If you know you have brass Money oâ— Counterfeit Gold about you and yet pay it away for Commodities you sin in doing so though you your self took it for Commodities 4. Do not give for a Commodities less than in your Conscience you think it is worth it is an oppression in buying when you seek to bring a Commodity under its due value and worth Abraham when he was to buy the Cave in Mackpelah of Ephron saith he I will give thee the worth of it in Money and so Daviâ— when he was to buy the Threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite 2 Sam. 24.24 saith he I will buy it of thee at the full value of it 5. Do not long defer the paying of these Commodities which you have bought when thou hast by thee wherewithal to pay it There is an Excellent place for this in Prov. 3.27 28. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to give it Say not unto thy Neighbour go and come again and tomorrow I will give when thou hast it by thee This Text is referred to works of Mercy but hath relation to Buying and Selling and Trading in the World â—f you owe a Man Money for a Commodity you â—ought to pay him and not to let him come day â—ter day for it and go without it when you have 〈◊〉 by you 2 Kings 4.7 It is the Badge of a wicked man in Scripture not to pay his Debts in Psal 31.20 The wicked borroweth and payeth not again 6. Do not engross a Commodity that is do not buy all of a Commodity into your own hands alone that by that means you may sell the Commodity at your own price This is a meer oppression destructive to a Common-wealth and to all Trading The Scripture condemnes this in Prov. 11.6 It is spoken there of Corn-Mongers saith the Text He that withholdeth Corn the People shal cuâ—se him but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth iâ— In Solomon's time there were Corn-Mongers that when Corn was cheap would go and buy up all the Corn in the Country and would keep it up and sell none till Corn was very dear now saith the Text He that doth thus the People shall curse him for it but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it Now it is no sin in it self to engross a Commodity thereby to sell it the cheaper but for a Man to engross a Commodity meerly thereby to advance the price of it this is such an oppression that the People shall curse him for it 7. Do not in your buying of Commodity take any advantage of the mistake or oversight of the Seller as suppose you should come to a Shop and buy so many Yards of Cloth or the like and he should give you more than is thy due oâ— take less money of thee than is his due you should take no advantage of him in such a Case but restore it again for if you take any more from hiâ— than you bought of him it is theft or if you give any less for the Commodity than you bargained for It is Their. There is an excellent place for this in Gen. 43 12. Jacob when there was a Famine in the Land he sent his Sons down into Egypt to buy Corn and Joseph he knowing his Bâ—ethren filled their Sacks
also will I punish all those young men that leap iâ— the Threshold which fill their Masters Hoâ— with violence and deceit And so in 1 Thes 4. â— Let no Men sayes the Apostle go beyond or fraud his Brother in any matter for the Lord is avenger of all such and so in 2 Pet. 2 3. Aâ— through covetousness shall they with feigned wâ— make Merchandize of you whose judgement lingâ— not When Men shall work upon the Ignorâ— of the Buyer and so advance the price of Commodity this is a great sin 6 Do not imbase a Commodity from its primitive price and goodness and yet sell it at the full price as if it were Good thereby to get the more by it This the Scripture condemns in Amos 8.6 They sell the refuse of the Wheat The Corn mongers in those times they would pluck out the best of their Wheat and yet sell the worst at the full price of the best now this the Lord condemns and so in Isa 1.21 They mingle wine with water and dross with silver The Scripture condemns this to imbase a Commodity from its primitive goodness and yet to sell it at the full value of the best 7. Be not among the first that shall raise the price of a Commoditie This I hinted to you before in Prov. 11.26 He that withholdeth Corn the pâ—ople shall curse him but blessing shall he upon the head of him that seileth it 8. Be not so eager in selling of your Commodities that you cannot content your selves to sell on the six days of the Week but you must sell on the Sabbath-day likewise Be not like those in Amos 8.5 saying When will the new Mooâ— be over that we may sell Corn and the Sabbath be over that we may set forth Wheat And so in Neh. 13.15 In thâ—se days saith the Prophet I saw â—n Judah soâ—eâ—â—â— aâ—â—ng in W ne presses on the Sâ—bba h and br nginâ— ln Sâ—caves and laâ—inâ— ass s and all ma ner of Buâ—â—hens which they b o â—hâ— into Jerusalem on the Sabbath and I testified â—gainst â—â—em in the day wherein they sold Victual Nâ—w this is against your common selâ—â—g Hâ—â—sâ—s and S ops of â—ean Trades that sell by retail that makes nothing of selling small trefling things on the Sabbath day but this is a great sin 9. When you are found out to be deceitful in your dealing do not justifie your deceit many men if you come to them and tell them thaâ— they sell dearer than their Neighbours they wilâ— tell you that they do not or if you tell then that the Commodity is not good which you boughâ— of them they will say it is as good as they caâ— afford for the price and the like this is coâ—demned in Ephraim in Hos 12.7 Ephraim a Merchant the ballance of deceit are in hâ— hand he loves to oppress and yet he saith I 〈◊〉 become Rich and I have found me out substanâ— and in all my labours they shall find no iniquiâ— in me that is sin you should not justifie yoâ— deceit 10. Do not sell those things that are not salâ— able As first do not sell spiritual things for thâ— are not saleable as in Acts 8.20 Simon Mâ—gus when he would have bought the gift of 〈◊〉 Holy Ghost with Money saith Peter to him Tâ— monie perish with thee because thou thoughtest 〈◊〉 the Gift of God might be purchased with Money â—condly do not sell Monuments of Idolatry Crosses and Beads and Images and Crucifix and Conjuring-books and the like they are fit to be sold as in Acts 19.19 Many also of 〈◊〉 that used curious Arts brought their Books tâ—ther and burnt them before all Men and â—counted the price of them and they found iâ— be 50000 pieces of Silver This is spoken 〈◊〉 of Conjuring Books and notwithstanding were of so great a value they would not sell whem but burn them Thirdly Do not sell thy self as Ahab did to work wickedness for you are not your own but Gods and therefore you must glorifie God in your Bodies and in your Souâ—s which are God's Fourthly you must not sell stoln Goods Fifthly You must not sell those things that are for no other use but for to commit sin in the using of them As for to sell stuff to paint Harlot's Faces is a sin because it is for no other use but to commit Sin in the using of it FINIS A Morning Prayer to be used in Families WE praise thee O God for thy many precious benefits bestowed on us for thâ— Creation of the World and for the Redemptioâ— of Mankind by the Lord Jesus thou didst safeâ—â— take us from the womb and haste ever since carâ—â— for us thou hast of thy sweet mercy caused us 〈◊〉 be born within thy Church where we have beâ—â— early given to thee in Baptism Thou hast afforâ—ed us the means of Grace and called us to 〈◊〉 hope of Glory But O most merciful Father we poor aâ—â— miserable sinners conceived in sin and brouâ—â— forth into iniquity have gone astray from theâ— we have not cared to know thee and to do 〈◊〉 will but have done our own wills and follow our foolish and sinful inclinations and do therfore deserve thy wrath and cursâ— O Lord have mercy upon us turn us 〈◊〉 thee and grant us true Repentance and forgiveness of all our sins for Jesus sake let it henceforth be our chiefest care to please thee and sâ— thy Kingdom and Righteousness work in us a 〈◊〉 Faith and a lively Hope and a frequent Châ—â—â—ty make us Humble Mâ—ek Patient Sober Just Kind and Loving to all Men Submissâ—â—â— and Obedient to them that are over us and well Content and Thankfull in every condition of Life Grant that we may daily grow in Knowledge Loving Fearing and Obeying thee Creat in us clean Hearts O God and renew right Spirits within us O Lord send thy Gospel through the World pour out plentifully the Spirit of Truth Hollnesâ— and Peace on all thy People Bless this Church and Kingdom preserve our King and Queen and all the Royal Family Guide our Judges and Magistrats sanctifie and assist the Ministers of the Gospel Visite all that are in Trouble and sanctifie their affliction unto them be gracious to all our Kindred Friends and Neighbours bless and forgive all our Enemies We thank thee O Lord for thy care of us this night watch over us this day and Make us mindful that we are always in thy fight that we may be in thy fear all the day long bless us also O God in all our lawful imployments and establish thy work in our hands and grant that through the whole course of our Life we may be Holy and Harmless in all manner of Life and Conversation than when this short and frail Life is at an End we may be partakers of everlasting life through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord in whose Name and Words we pray Our Father c. An Evening Prayer for Families MOst gracious God what shall we render to thee for thy many and great benefits bestowed on us Though we have been unthankful and undutiful servants to thee our Lord and Master Thou hast continued thy care and kindness for us ever since me were born and hast preserved us this day let us never forget thy goodness but grant that thereby we may be led to Repentance and Amendment of Life Preserve us from every thing that is displeasing to thee O Lord keep us from cursing swearing and lying from pride stubborness and idleness work in us an utter dislike of all uncleanness gluttony and drunkenness of malice and envy of strife and contention of deceit and covetousness Give uâ— grace to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Cause us to understand and consider the Laws and Life of Jesus that we may dâ— his will and follow his steps Let never thâ— cares of this life nor the love of riches nor evâ— company nor the corrupt customs of the world withdraw us from the obedience of thy Laws â—â— strengthen and establish us by thy holy Spiriâ— that we may live and die thy faithful Servants O Lord send thy Gospel through the Worlâ— pour out plentifully the spirit of truth holinâ— and Peace on all thy people Bless this Church and Kingdom preserve our King and Queen and all the Royal Family guide our Judges and Magistrats sanctifie and assist the Ministers of the Gospel visit all that are in trouble and sanctifie their afflictions unto them be gracious to all our Kindred Friends and Neighbours bless and forgive all our Enemies O Lord be merciful to us forgive us the sins of this day watch over us this night and keep us ever mindful that we must shortly die and that we may without delay turn to thee and pass the time of our sojourning here in fear Good Lord hear us and grant these our desires and what else thou knows to be needful for us and that for the merits of Jesus Christ in whose Name and Words we pray Our Father which art in Heaven c. Grace to be said before Meat O Lord be merciful to us and pardon our sins sanctifie these thy good benefits that we by the sober and thankful use of them may be enabled for thy service through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour Amen Thanksgiving after Meat WE thank and praise thee O Lord the giver of all good who hast at this time fed our Bodies stir up in us a greater care for our Souls and grant that our short lives which are so carefully sustained by thy bounty may be spent in doing thy will Lead us safely through this vain and sinful World in which we are pilgrims and Strangers and bring us into everlasting rest through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen THe Contents of this Book is desired to be practised by all good Christians By yours R. Alleine