A Golden Chain

Usury is a gain exacted by covenant, above the principal only in lieu, and recompense of the lending of it. Usury being considered as it is thus described, is quite contrary to Gods word, and may very fitly be termed biting lucre. Exod. 22.14. If any man hath borrowed any-thing of another, whatsoever is hurt or dieth, if the owner of the thing be not present, let him be recompensed. 15. If he be present, recompense him not: if it be hired for a price, it is sold for the same price. Ezek. 18.8. He hath not given to usury, neither hath taken increase. 2. Cor. 8.13. Neither is it that other men should be eased, and you grieved, 14. But upon like condition at this time, your abundance supplieth their lack; that also their abundance may be for your lack: that there may be equality.

Vsurie is a gaine exacted by couenant, aboue the principall onely in lue, and recompence of the lending of it. Vsurie beeing considered as it is thus described, is quite contrarie to Gods word, and may very fitly be tearmed biting lucre. Exod. 22.14. If any man hath borrowed any-thing of another, whatsoeuer is hurt or dieth, if the owner of the thing be not present, let him be recompensed. 15. If he be present, recompence him not: if it be hired for a price, it is sold for the same price. Ezek. 18.8. He hath not giuen to vsurie, neither hath taken increase. 2. Cor. 8.13. Neither is it that other men should be eased, and you grieued, 14. But vpon like condition at this time, your abundance supplieth their lacke; that also their abundance may be for your lacke: that there may be equalitie.

And this usury, positive laws do not only restrain, but not allow. Quest. Is it not lawful to take at some time above the principal? Answer. Yes surely, with these conditions: I. If a man take heed that he exact nothing, but that which his debtor can get by good and lawful means. II. He may not take more then the gain, nay not all the gain, nor that part of the gain which drinketh up the living of him that useth the money. III. He must sometimes be so far from taking gain, that he must not require the principal, if his debtor be by inevitable and just casualties brought behind, and it be also plain that he could not make, no not by great diligence, any commodity of the money borrowed. The reasons why a man may take sometimes above the principal, are; 1. That which the debtor may give, having himself an honest gain besides, and no man any ways endamaged, that the creditor may safely receive. 2. It is convenient, that he which hath money lent him, and gaineth by it, should show all possible gratitude to him, by whose goods he is enriched. 3. It is often for the benefit of the creditor, to have the goods in his own hands which he lent.