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 shall Usury therefore be lawful, because Christ draweth a comparison, or maketh an example by an Usurer? if it were so, we should do many things otherwise than well. For in the scriptures we are oftentimes required to take example of those things which are il. In the sixteenth of Luke, Christ biddeth his Disciples take example of the unfaithful steward, ¹to be provident and careful as he was. Doeth he therefore commend the falsehood of the Steward? or shall falsehood therefore be lawful? S. Paul sayeth, The day of the Lord ²shall come, even as a thief in the night. Is theft therefore lawful? S. James saith, The Devils believe, and tremble, take example of the Devils. They believe, but their bare, vain, ⟨p. 142⟩and dead faith, in which they can do no good, can not serve them. Even so shall not your faith if it be dead, and void of all good works, save you. God himself to reprove the unthankfulness and forgetfulness of his people, which did so often forsake him, and followed Baal and Astaroth, sayeth in this manner unto them. What nation did ever forsake their Gods? Doeth he in this speech approve, that the Idols of the heathen are Gods? or because God taketh example of idolatry, shall idolatry therefore be lawful? he biddeth his servants to be as faithful and willing, and ready to serve him the God of heaven and earth, as the gentiles were in service of their Idols, the works of their own hands. As God did will the Israelites to take example of the Ido, laters: And as Christ biddeth take example of the false steward, and as James of the Devils: so is this parable an example of that which is commendable: that is, the diligence of the servants: Usury is no more allowed by this, than idolatry and falsehood and the devil is by the other. Some will say, I have no trade to live, I must needs give my money to Usury, or else I must beg. This is it that I spake of. This showeth that despair and mistrust in the providence of God, is the mother of Usury. If this were cause why he should be an ⟨p. 143⟩usurer, if this be well spoken for defence of his wickedness, why may not the thief, or the bawd, or the enchanter by like answer excuse themselves, and stand in defence of their doings? Augustine therefore saith, Audent etiam fenerarores