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…

Thus much I thought expedient to speak of the loathsome and foul trade of Usury. I know not what fruit will grow thereby, and what it will work in your hearts. If it please God, it may do that good that I wish. I have done my duty. I call God for a record unto my soul, I have not deceived you. I have spoken unto yo• the truth. If I be deceived in this matter, O God thou hast deceived me. Thy word is plain. Thou sayest, Thou shalt take no Usury, thou sayest, He that taketh increase shall not live. What am I, that I should hide the words of my God, or keep them back from the hearing of his people? the learned old Fathers have taught us, it is no more lawful to take Usury of our brother, than it is to kill our brother. They that be of God, hear this, and consider it, and have a care that they displease him not. But the wicked that are no whit moved, and care not what God saith, but cast his word ⟨p. 145⟩behind them: which have eyes and see not, and ears yet hear not: because they are filthy they shall be •lthie still. Their greedy desire shall increase to their confusion, and as their money mcreaseth, so shall they increase the heaps of their sins. Pardon me if I have been long, or vehement. Of those that are usurers I ask no pardon.

Thus much I thought expedient to speake of the loathsome and foule trade of Vsurie. I knowe not what fruit wil growe thereby, and what it wil worke in your hearts. If it please God, it may doe that good that I wish. I haue doone my dutie. I cal God for a record vnto my soule, I haue not deceiued you. I haue speken vnto yo• ye truth. If I be deceiued in this matter, O God thou hast deceiued me. Thy word is plaine. Thou sayest, Thou shalt take no Vsurie, thou sayest, He that taketh encrease shal not liue. What am I, that I shoulde hide the words of my God, or kéepe them back from the hearing of his people? the learned old Fathers haue taught vs, it is no more laweful to take Vsurie of our brother, than it is to kil our brother. They that be of God, heare this, and consider it, and haue a care that they displease him not. But the wicked that are no whit moued, and care not what God sayth, but cast his word ⟨p. 145⟩behind them: which haue eies and sée not, and eares yet heare not: because they are filthie they shalbe lthie stil. Their gréedie desire shal encrease to their confusion, and as their monie mcreaseth, so shal they encrease the heapes of their sinnes. Pardon me if I haue béene long, or vehement. Of those that are vsurers I aske no pardon.