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…

Let us see then what is the cause hereof and whence it groweth, who is the mother, the nurse, or the breeder of Usury. For it groweth not every where, nor among all men. Many hate it, and detest it, and had rather die, than live of such spoil. It is not of God, for God straitly forbiddeth it. Neither is it found among the children of God: for love seeketh not her own profit, but to do good to her neighbour.

Let vs sée then what is the cause hereof and whence it groweth, who is the mother, the nurce, or the bréeder of Vsurie. For it groweth not euerie where, nor among al men. Manie hate it, and detest it, and had rather die, than liue of such spoile. It is not of God, for God straitly forbiddeth it. Neither is it founde among the children of God: for loue séeketh not her owne profite, but to doe good to her neighbour.

Whence then springeth Usury? Soon showed: even thence whence theft, murder, adultery, the plagues, and destruction of the people do spring. Al these are the works of the Devil, and the works of the flesh. Christ telleth the Pharisees, You are of your father the ¹Devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. Even so may it truly be said to the Usurer, thou art of thy father the Devil, and the lust of thy father thou wilt do, and therefore thou hast pleasure in his works. The Devil entered into the heart of Judas, and put in him this greediness, and covetousness of gain, for which he was content to sell his master. Judas heart was the shop, the Devil was the foreman to work in it. Saint Paul saith: They ²that will be rich, fall into tentation and snares, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men into perdition and destruction. For the desire of money is the root of evil. And Saint John saith, Whosoever committeth ³sin is of the Devil. Thus we see, that the Devil is the planter, and the father of Usury.