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…

But some will say, all kinds of Usury are not forbidden. There may be cases where Usury may stand with reason and equity. And herein they say so much as by wit may be devised, to paint out a foul, and ugly Idol, and to shadow themselves in manifest and open wickedness. What so ever God sayeth, yet this or this kind of Usury, say they, which is done in this or this sort, is not forbidden. It profiteth the common wealth, it relieveth great numbers. The poor should otherwise perish, no man would lend them.

But some wil say, al kindes of Vsurie are not forbidden. There may bee cases where Vsurie may stande with reason and equitie. And herein they say so much as by witte may bee deuised, to paint out a foule, and vglie Idol, and to shadowe themselues in manifest and open wickednesse. What so euer God saieth, yet this or this kinde of Vsurie, say they, which is doone in this or this sort, is not forbidden. It profiteth the common wealth, it relieueth great numbers. The poore should otherwise perish, no man woulde lende them.

By like good reason, there are some that defend theft, and murder, they say, there may be some case, where it is lawful to kill or to steal: for God willed the Hebrews to rob the Egyptians, and Abraham to kill his own son Isaac. In these cases their robbery and the killing of his son were lawful. So say they. Even so by like reason do some of our Countrymen maintain Concubines, Courtesans, and Brothel houses, and stand in defence of open Stews. They are (say they) for the benefit of the Country: they keep men from more dangerous inconvenience: take them away, it will be worse. Although ⟨p. 125⟩God say, There shall be no whore of the daughters ¹of Israel, neither shall there be a whore keeper of the sons of Israel: yet these men say all manner of whoredom is not forbidden. In these and these cases it is not amiss to allow it.

By like good reason, there are some that defende theft, and murther, they say, there may be some case, where it is laweful to kil or to steale: for God willed the Hebrewes to rob the Aegyptians, and Abraham to kil his owne sonne Isaac. In these cases their robberie and the killing of his sonne were laweful. So say they. Euen so by like reason doe some of our Countreymen maintaine Concubines, Curtizans, and Brothel houses, and stand in defence of open Stewes. They are (say they) for the benefite of the Countrey: they kéepe men from more daungerous inconuenience: take them away, it wil be worse. Although