Of the lawful and unlawful usury ammo[n]gest Christians, addedOf the lawful and vnlawful vsurie amo[n]gest Christians, added

Forasmuch as in this place we demand, whether that usury be lawful or unlawful, not afore the world but afore God, and that therefore the pretence of civill laws, or of any ordinances of man, can have no place in this question the cause of Christian profession constraineth us to hear even Christ Gods Son, and to learn of his mouth, how Christians should lend and not sin in the sight of the lord. For of this ought we to be well persuaded, that no thing can be lawfully done, which ⟨image 12⟩striveth against the doctrine of our saviour. Wherefore we must consider how usury agreeth with Christs word. But first I do protest, that I speak not unto the children of this world, but unto faithful men, which be persuaded that the doctrine of Christ is so godly, & containeth such a rule of true godliness and righteousness, that all they must needs displease god, which do not heartily yield & apply themselves unto it. Math .5. Thus we read, look not from him, that would borrow of thee. And Luke .6. lend, looking for nothing thereof. And if you shall lend, from whence ye hope to receive, what thanks have ye? For sinners lend unto sinners that they may receive like. By these words Christ did teach his, how they ought to behave themselves in this case, he putteth a difference ⟨image 12⟩betwixt them & the children of this world. First he commandeth that they do not deny him that would borrow. Understand so, that there be ability for to lend. For he which hath not himself, how can he be able to lend unto others? He doth not permit and suffer unto his, which have the substance of this world, a liberty to lend or not to lend. That is to say, he showeth that they are strangers from the kingdom of god & from true righteousness belonging unto the children of God, which deny to lend unto him that needeth & asketh. Therefore he warneth his, that they do not it, if they will belong unto him, & be in the number of gods children. This commandment the children of this world do not acknowledge, nor they are not thereto forced by civil laws, ⟨image 13⟩but they will be at liberty to lend or not to lend: and they do not think that they sin, if they do deny him that asketh, when as they may help him. Wherefore if we have pleasure in the profession of Christs religion, we must take heed to be otherwise minded, than they be.