A10945:593
Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…
Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happiness, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianity. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learn how to lead a godly and comfortable life every day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happines, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianitie. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learne how to leade a godly and comfortable life euery day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1603
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.
1These being the most usual kinds of contracts, do show the nature of the rest, which are in use amongst men, and do leave no place to that oppression in the world, called usury, or any other such seeking of mens private profit in their dealings, without regard of the common benefit of both: ⟨p. 181⟩§Awhen both parties are not provided for, to their contentation and satisfying according to equity, and to the meaning and provision made by God in that behalf: which is, that the one without the other should not be benefited nor enriched; but the one to have care and consideration of the other,2 and the commonwealth of both (as I have said) respected. Which if it were regarded betwixt both parties, could in no wise be justly complained of; neither is such dealing of the nature and kind of usury, whether it be in hiring and letting, or in any other kind of contract whatsoever: but that common dealing for ten in the hundred, or nine, or eight, or any such like, which is without due consideration of the commonwealth and upholding of both, is §Butterly to be condemned. Which if it be well and duly considered,3 will soon answer all conscionable men, about the question of usury and oppression, that there can be no use of them in the Church of God,4 nor the Christian commonwealth: the Law-maker having said of both, as of witchcraft & of idolatry, there shall be none such in Israel, that is, among Gods people. And as for teaching others their duty (especially in money matters) who have not given themselves in full resolution to be guided by Gods word, Preachers may sooner wear their tongues to the stump, then they may prevail with them. But there is another thing, of which, some professing the Gospel, desire to be resolved, and that is about the buying and selling of annuities: §Cand whether they be not unlawful.