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…

For a thief is driven by extremity and need: the Usurer is rich and hath no need. The thief stealeth in corners, and in places where he may be unknown: the usurer openly and boldly at all times. and in any place. The thief, to relieve his wife and children: the Usurer to spoil his neighbour, and to undo his wife and children. The thief stealeth from the rich, which have enough: the Usurer from the poor that hath nothing. The thief fleeth and will be seen no more: the Usurer standeth by it, continueth, and stealeth still: day & night, sleeping and waking, he always ⟨p. 118⟩stealeth. The thief repenteth of his deed, he knoweth he hath done wrong and is sorry for it: the Usurer thinketh it is his own, that it is well gotten, and never repenteth, nor sorroweth, but defendeth, and maintaineth his sin impudently. The thief, if he escape, many times becometh profitable to his country, and bestoweth him self painfully in some trade of life: the Usurer leaveth his merchandise, forsaketh his husbandry, giveth himself to nothing, whereby his country may have benefit. The thief is satisfied at length: the Usurer hath never enough. The belly of the wicked will never be filled. As the sea is never filled with water, though all the streams of the world run into it: so the greediness of an Usurer is never satisfied, though he gain never so unreasonably. The sea is profitable: the usurer is hurtful and dangerous. By the sea we may pass and come safely to the haven, but no man passeth by usury without less or shipwreck.

For a théefe is driuen by extremitie and néede: the Vsurer is rich and hath no néede. The théefe stealeth in corners, and in places where he may be vnknowne: the vsurer openly and boldely at al times. and in anie place. The théefe, to relieue his wife and children: the Vsurer to spoile his neighbour, and to vndoe his wife and children. The théefe stealeth from the rich, which haue inough: the Vsurer from the poore that hath nothing. The théefe fléeth and will be séene no more: the Vsurer standeth by it, continueth, and stealeth still: daie & night, sléeping and waking, he alwaies ⟨p. 118⟩stealeth. The théefe repenteth of his déede, he knoweth he hath done wrong and is sorie for it: the Vsurer thinketh it is his owne, that it is well gotten, and neuer repenteth, nor sorroweth, but defendeth, and maintaineth his sinne impudently. The théefe, if he escape, many times becommeth profitable to his countrey, and bestoweth him selfe painefully in some trade of life: the Vsurer leaueth his marchandise, forsaketh his husbandrie, giueth himselfe to nothing, whereby his countrey maie haue benefite. The théefe is satisfied at length: the Vsurer hath neuer inough. The bellie of the wicked wil neuer be filled. As the sea is neuer filled with water, though al the streams of the world runne into it: so the gréedinesse of an Vsurer is neuer satisfied, though he gaine neuer so vnreasonably. The sea is profitable: the vsurer is hurtfull and dangerous. By the sea we may passe and come safely to the hauen, but no man passeth by vsurie without lesse or shipwracke.