Annesley - Houston-Packer Collection BX9327 .M6 1664

Serm. T o. is regairedbetween Mdn snd ? 235 do the utmott of what he may , will fometime or other be tempted to what he should not ; for it is a short and eaue paffage from the tit- molt limits of lawful, to what is evil and unlawful , therefore in that latitude which you have of gain, ufe favour towards the poor and Hecef- gtous, ingenuity towards the ignorant and unskilful, moderation towards all men. 7. whereyou have any doubt about the equity ofyour dealings , chafe "thefafeft! part , and that whichwill certainly bring you peace? For not oncly a good Confcience, but a quiet Confcience is to be valued above gain. Therefore in matters of duty do the moti, in matters of privi- ledge and divisions of right, and proportions of gain ( where there is any doufit)chufe the leatk,for this is alwayes fafe. Thus I have laid down the Rule and explained ir, and have given as particular directions, as I could fafely adventure to do; I muff . now leave it to every man to apply it more particularly to himfeif, and to deal faithfully with his own Confcience, in the ufe of it. Cir- cumtiances which vary Cafes are infinite, therefore when all is done, much mull be left to the Equity and Chancery of our own Brealls. I have not told you howmum in the Pound you maygain, and no more, nor can I: A man may make a greater gain at one time, than ano- ther, of the fame thing he may take chofe advantages which the change of things, and the providence of God gives him, ufhng them moderatly : A man may take more of forne perlons than of others; provided a man ufe all men righteoufly, he may ufe Come favourably. But I have on purpofe forborn to defcend to too many particularities, among other realons, for the fake of Sir Thomas Illores obfervation concerning the Cafuills of his time, who (he faith) by their coo par- ticular refolutions of Cafes, did not reach men on peccare, not to fan, but did thew them quám props ad peccatum liceat accedere finepeccata, hownear men might come tofin,andyet not în. TheUfes I fhall make ofall this, are there two. x. tlfe. Let us not revenge ourfelves ; The Rule is not , we fhould do to others as they do to us , but as we would have them to do to us ; as if it were on purpofe to prevent revenge. Saint Luke forbids revenge from, his rule; Luke 6.31, 3 2. For if you love them that love you, &c. But love your Enemies. Revenge is the greatell offence againfl this rule , for he that revengeth an injury , hath received one, he that hath receivedone , knows bell what that is , which he would not have another todo to him ; the nature of evil and injury is better H h known

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