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

Howbeit, that usury might easily be suffered, by the which it is thought that the need of widows, fatherless and power hospitals be provided for, if the confuse heap of other usuries and unlawful bargains might be utterly taken away, either by the authority of gods word amongest them, that will be taught to fear God, or else by the power of the magistrates, which ought in these assembles, summoned by the Emperor, not to be lest regarded: if, as is pretended ⟨image 37⟩tended, so there be indeed any seeking of the reformation of christs church.

Howbeit, that vsurie might easely be suffered, by the which it is thought that ye nede of widowes, fatherles and power hospitals be prouided for, if the confuse heape of other vsuries and vnlawefull bargens mighte bee vtterly taken awaye, either by the authorite of gods worde amongest them, that wil be taught to feare God, or els by the power of the magistrates, whiche ought in these assembles, summoned by the Emperor, not to be leste regarded: if, as is pretended ⟨image 37⟩tended, so ther be indede any sekīg of ye reformatiō of christes church.

Wherefore it is heartily to be wished, that if all usury can not utterly be banished out of Christs church: yet at the lest that this usury be not suffered, by the which the substance of pore men be miserably, contrary unto christen charity, pilled and piked, yea, supped up and devoured: I mean that usury, which the rich doth require and take of him, whom he knoweth to be unable to bear the hinderance of usury, and unto whom through the affection of true love, according to the sentence of Christ our saviour, he ought either by giving or lending to stretch forth his hands, not too spoil, but to help.

Wherefore it is hartelye to be wished, that if all vsurie cā not vtterly be bānished oute of Christes church: yet at the leste yt this vsurie be not suffered, by the whiche the substāce of pore men be miserably, cōtrari vnto christē charite, pilled and piked, yea, supt vp and deuoured: I mean yt vsurie, which the ryche doth require and take of him, whome he knoweth to be vnable to beare the hinderaunce of vsurie, and vnto whome throughe the affection of true loue, according to the sentence of Christ our sauioure, he oughte either by geuynge or lendyng to streach forth hys handes, not too spoyle, but to helpe.