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

Therefore here is a difference to be made betwixt the heathen and the Christian. The heathen lendeth first unto those, that be able to restore that, which they have received. Then unto those, which some times have lent or be able to lend. Thirdly unto friends and kindred. Fourthly unto those, of whom some kindness may be looked for. By these kinds of lending sin is not committed, howbeit as yet the righteousness of the kingdom and sprite of Christ is not expressed. Wherefore they that be Christians do thus lend.

Therefore here is a difference to be made betwixte the heathen and the Christian. The heathen lendeth first vnto those, that be able to restore that, whyche they haue receaued. Then vnto those, whych some tymes haue lente or bee able to lende. Thirdlye vnto frendes and kinred. Fourthly vnto those, of whom some kyndnes may be loked for. By these kinds of leandyng synne is not committed, howbeit as yet the righteousnes of the kingdome and sprite of Christ is not expressed. Wherfore they that be Chrystyans do thus lende.

First unto them, that be not able ⟨image 15⟩to restore. Then unto them, that never did lend any thing, nor can not give again. Thirdly not only unto friends, but also unto enemies, not only unto kinsfolk but also unto others and strangers. Fourthly, whereas no thanks giving, much less any recompense, can be looked for. And in doing these things they declare them selves to be in deed his children, which bringeth forth his sun over the good and the bad, and rainneth upon the thankful and unthankful: which also Christ requireth of his, saying: that ye may be the children of your father. &c. Bring therefore unto this rule of Christian righteousness those, which lend upon usury, and see how far they be from the rule of Christs word, which is so set unto all Christians, that ⟨image 16⟩except they do conform themselves unto it, they ought to be reckoned among sinners, & not among Gods children: yea they be not so just as sinners. For so much righteousness is attributed unto sinners, that the lend with out usury, & that they desire to receive nothing in the stead of lucre, but only that which they did lend. Therefore by this conference, we, which look unto the righteousness of Christs kingdom, unto the prescription of christs words, and unto the profession of christian religion may easily judge how unlawful usury is unto them, which have yielded them selves unto christ, and would be taken to be christians. It is not belonging unto us to judge others. It belongeth to a Christian to answer to his profession, & not otherwise to judge of things, whether they