But the chief Inftance of Fraud in the Buyer, is to take advantage of the great neceffity of the Seller.

A Man, for inftance, who fully knows the Value of his Goods, is in fo great a strait for want of ready Money, that he is willing to fell at any Rate; and his Neceffity will not permit him to stay for a MarketPrice; but he is forced to take what fhall first be offered. In fuch a Cafe, to take advantage of his Neceffity, is very unjust.

The Frequency and Injustice of these Practices, both in the Buyer and Seller, are more particularly Described, and Condemned, and Admonished against, by the Excellent Author of The Whole Duty of Man. Sund. XII. SS. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. To which I refer.

Thele feveral

Damage and Wrong

may be done to our Neighbour, with reYpect to his Boffeffions and Eftate

Let us next Examine, How far Reftitution can be made in the forementioned

Val Inftances.

Of Restitution for Injuries done
to our Neighbour's Wife.

1

T

Here are fome Injuries of fuch a nature, that they never can be Repaired; and confequently, it is impoffible to make full Reftitution for them. Of this fort are Murder (which we have already confidered) and Adultery.

But although the Damage of this Sin of Adultery, can never be entirely repaired, yet impart it may. And when we cannot do as much as we fhould, 'tis but juft and neceffary, that we do as much as we can.

NOW

Now in Adultery, an Injury and Damage is not only offered to the Wife, but also to her Hufband, her Family, and Depen

dants.

It too often happens, That by fuch Adulterous Embraces a fpurious Iffue is brought into a Man's Family; to fhare both in the Maintenance and Portion of his own Children.

8

4

In fuch a Cafe, the Adulterer can never pretend effectually to Repent, (which yet he must, or he shall never enter into the kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10.) I fay, he cannot effectually Repent, without reftoring to the Family, as much as lie hath by this means robbed it of

In plain Terms: The Adairerer is obliged (fo far as he is able) to keep and maintain thofe Children, which he is convinced in his Thoughts, are the Fruit of his Luft.

Of Reftitution for Injuries done to our Neighbour's Children.

TH

Hefe fort of Injuries do fo feldom happen, that it may feem fuperfluous to give Directions concerning them. But if any Man hath been fo Wicked as to be guilty of fuch Practices; If, for instance, he hath feduced and inveigled Children from their Parents and Guardians; Or Apprentices from their Mafters, (let the Design be what it will; he is obliged, fo far as he is able, to restore them, and bring them back to their Parents Families, or their Mafler's Service.

But thefe, I fay, being Cafes that do not often happen, I will add no more concerning them But fhall leave fuch Perfons when difcovered, to the Punifhment of the Law.

But

But there is one Inftance of Sone Injury to our Neighbour's Children, I doubt, is too frequent; and therefore I must not omit to give Directions concerning it. And that is, The Corrupting his Daughter, by Violating her Cha+ ftity.

Now we are to Examine;

What Reftitution is to be made in fuch a Cafe as this?

The Refolution of this, and all other Practical Cafes, doth fo much depend upon Particular Circumstances, that without a diftinct Knowledge of fuch Cir cumstances, it is impoffible to give fuch a General Anfwer, as may be fafely depended upon in all Particular Occafions.

However, thus far, in the General, we may fafely determine this Matter.