A04472:231
An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians…
An expositio[n] upon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians by the reverend Father John Jewel ... ; whereunto is adjoined a very necessary table of the principal matters contained in this exposition.An expositio[n] vpon the two epistles of the apostle S. Paul to the Thessalonians by the reuerend Father Iohn Ievvel ... ; vvhereunto is adioined a very necessarie table of the principal matters contained in this exposition.
London: printed by Ralfe Newberie, 1584
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Many simple men •nowe not what is Usury, nor never heard of the name of it. The world were happy, if no man knew it. For evil things do less harm when they be most unknown. […], and plagues are not known, but with great misery. But that you may learn to know it, and the more to a•horre horre it, this it is.
Manie simple men •nowe not what is Vsurie, nor neuer heard of the name of it. The world were happie, if no man knew it. For euil things do lesse harm when they be most vnknown. 〈…〉, and plagues are not knowen, but with great miserie. But that you maie learne to knowe it, and the more to a•horre horre it, this it is.
Usury is a kind of lending of money, or corn, or oil, or wine, or of any other thing, wherein, upon covenant and bargain, we receive again the whole principal, which we delivered, and somewhat more, for the use and occupying of the same. As, if I lend 100. pounds, and for it covenant to receive 105. li. or any other sum, greater than was the sum, ⟨p. 114⟩which I did lend. This is that which we call Usury. Such a kind of bargaining as no good man or godly man ever used. Such a kind of bargaining as all men that ever feared Gods judgement have always abhorred, and condemned. It is filthy gains, and a work of darkness. It is a monster in nature: the overthrow of mighty kingdoms, the destruction of flourishing states, the decay of wealthy Cities, the plagues of the world, and the misery of the people. It is thest, it is the murdering of our Brethren, it is the curse of God, and the curse of the people. This is Usury. By these signs and tokens you may know it: for wheresoever it reigneth all those mischiefs ensue. But how and how many ways it may be wrought, I will not declare. It were horrible to hear: and I come now to reprove Usury and not to teach it.