A04472:244
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.
But what speak I of the ancient fathers of the Church? there was never any religion, nor sect, nor state, nor degree, nor profession of men, but they have disliked it. Philosophers, Greeks, Latins, Lawyers, Divines, Catholics, Heretics, all tongues and nations have ever thought an Usurer as dangerous as a thief. The very sense of nature proveth it to be so. If the stones could speak, they would say as much.
But what speake I of the auntient fathers of the Church? there was neuer any religion, nor sect, nor state, nor degrée, nor profession of mē, but they haue disliked it. Philosophers, Gréekes, Latins, Lawiers, Diuines, Catholiques, Heretiques, al tongues and nations haue euer thought an Vsurer as daungerous as a theefe. The verie sense of nature proueth it to be so. If the stones coulde speake, they would say as much.
Therefore our saviour saith, Do good, and 1lend, looking for nothing again. He sayeth not, lend and look not for your principal again. But look for no gain thereby, look not to receive more than thine own for the use and occupying of it. Defraud not another: thou wouldest not an other should defraud thee. Dppresse him not, have pity on his wife and children: thou wouldest not have thy wife and children undone. In Leviticus God saith, If thy brother be impoverished and fallen 2in decay, thou shalt take no Usury of him, nor vantage, but thou shalt fear thy GOD that thy brother may live with thee. GOD saith thou shalt take no Usury. And he hath power and authority to command. And in Exodus, If thou lend money to my people ⟨p. 122⟩3to the poor with thee, thou shalt not be as an Usurer unto him, ye shall not oppress him with Usury. Show them mercy for my sake, they are my people. I can enrich him, I can impoverish thee. I set up, and throw down whom I will. When thy neighbour needeth thy help, and seeketh comfort at thy hands, afflict him not as an enemy, oppress him not like a tyrant.