A07941:63
Of the lawful and unlawful usury ammo[n]gest Christians, addedOf the lawful and vnlawful vsurie amo[n]gest Christians, added
Of the lawful and unlawful usury ammo[n]gest Christians, added by Wolfgang Muscul unto the end of his book upon the PsalmsOf the lawful and vnlawful vsurie amo[n]gest Christians, added by Wolfgang Muscul vnto the ende of his booke vppon the Psalmes
Wesel? : H. Singleton?, 1556?
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There is as it were a certain conspiracy betwixt them that give, and them that take usury. For they lay their labours together, whereby ⟨image 31⟩they serve, on either side, their own gains or affections, and so they join together one with the other to commit sin.
There is as it were a certen cōspiracie betwixt them that geue, and them that take vsurie. For they lay their labors together, wherby ⟨image 31⟩thei serue, on either side, their own gaines or affections, and so they ioyne together one with the other to commit sinne.
It is a heavy thing, if any man alone, and by him self do sin: but how much more weighty ought it to be thought, if any man for private gain do so bestow his diligence towards his neighbour, as to nourish him also in his naughtiness?
It is a heauy thinge, if any mā alone, and by hym selfe do sinne: but howe muche more weightie ought it to be thought, if any man for priuate gaine doo so bestowe his diligence towardes his neighbor, as to norishe him also in hys naughtines?
Fourthly also this is to be considered, how this kind of usury letteth the works of charity. As concerning that money, which yt usurer hath unoccupied, and needeth not to be bestowed upon any necessary household affairs, that it do not remain idle and unfruitful, but that he may take some profit of it, he supposeth that it ought to be let out unto some ⟨image 32⟩use. Therefore he letteth it forth unto usury, and this way he thinketh that he doth well provide for his own profit. But I beseech you when shall he, being of this mind, help his neighbours round about him, that be pore and needy? That, which he taketh up of usury, he appointeth partly unto necessary uses, and partly unto the gain of usury, to increase his stock yearly by such gains, as he can get. Whereof, can a man think, that he will give unto the pore: whereof will he freely and without usury lend unto the pore that asketh: of that, of the which he findeth him self and his: No, I suppose: wherefore should I give, sayeth he, unto others that, which I need my self? Paul sayeth: that your abundance may fill up their want. Here is no abundance,