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…

A poor Orphan left in his Cradle hath a hundred pounds stock. This stock may be put out to Usury. And the Usury is allowed. This is a deed of charity, it is no Usury, as shall appear. For, if the hundred pounds should lie still without increase, and be bestowed from year to year to the v•e of the child, the whole stock would be spent, before the child should come to years. But if the stock be put to occupying, and into an honest mans hands, something will grow to the relief of the Orphan, and yet his stock remain whole. This is charity to relieve the infant, that can not relieve himself. The like is, in •ing the stock of a man that hath not his wits, and is not able to dispose of his guides. Or if a Merchant by sickness, or maim, or any other hinderance, be not able to follow his business, he desireth an other to use, and ⟨p. 237⟩occupy for him, and to do with his stock, as it were his own, only to maintain him with the increase thereof. This is not Usury. Why? because he that taketh the stock of the Orphan, or of the mad man, or of the diseased merchant, is not bound to answer all adventures, and casualties that happen. As, if to like use I take a stock in cattle, & they die without my default: or a stock in money or wares, and the wares be burnt by fire, or the money stolen without my default, I am not bound to answer the principal: therefore it is no Usury.

A poore Orphane left in his Cradle hath a hundred poundes stocke. This stocke may be put out to Vsurie. And the Vsurie is allowed. This is a déede of charitie, it is no Vsurie, as shall appeare. For, if the hundred poundes should lie still without enerease, and be bestowed from yeare to yeare to the v•e of the childe, the whole stocke woulde be spent, before the childe shoulde come to yeares. But if the stocke be put to occupying, and into an honest mans handes, something will grow to the reliefe of the Orphane, and yet his stocke remaine whole. This is charitie to reléeue the infant, that can not relieue himselfe. The like is, in •ing the stocke of a man that hath not his wittes, and is not able to dispose of his g•des. Or if a Marchant by sickenesse, or maime, or anie other hinderance, be not able to followe his businesse, he desireth an other to vse, and