A12367:307
A preparative to marriage The sum whereof was spoken at a contract, and enlarged…A preparatiue to mariage The summe whereof was spoken at a contract, and inlarged…
A preparative to marriage The sum whereof was spoken at a contract, and enlarged after. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of the Lords Supper, and another of usury. By Henry Smith.A preparatiue to mariage The summe whereof was spoken at a contract, and inlarged after. Whereunto is annexed a treatise of the Lords Supper, and another of vsurie. By Henrie Smith.
London: printed by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Man, 1591
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.
Moreover, I may compare giving of Usury to swearing; if a man swear without cause he sinneth; but if he swear as the word teacheth him to swear, he sinneth not: so, if a man borrow upon Usury and borrow without cause, he sinneth, because he feedeth the Usurer: but else, as a man may swear in some case, so in some case a man may borrow upon Usury, that is, in case of necessity, when a man must needs borrow, and can borrow of none but of Usurers.
Moreouer, I may compate giuing of Vsurie to swearing; if a man sweare without cause he sinneth; but if he sweare as the word teacheth him to sweare, he sinneth not: so, if a man borrow vpon Vsurie and borrow without cause, he sinneth, because he feedeth the Vsurer: but els, as a man maye sweare in some case, so in some case a man may borrowe vpon Vsurie, that is, in case of necessitie, when a man must needes borrow, and can borrowe of none but of Vsurers.
Lastly, I may allege that Usury and Usurer are never read in the scripture, but they signify him which takes Usury, not him which gives Usury: and therefore the Scripture seemeth to forbid taking, but not giving.
Lastly, I may alleage that Vsurie and Vsurer are neuer read in the scripture, but they signifie him which takes Vsurie, not him which giues Vsurie: and therfore the Scripture seemeth to forbid taking, but not giuing.
Many reasons moe are alleged which I cannot refute, and therefore I will not contradict them: yet I mean not to decide the question, because I will not be mistaken; but if some should come unto me in that necessity and extremity which I can imagine, and ask; may I borrow money of these Usurers to save my life, or my credit, or my living, seeing no man will lend me freely? I would answer him as the Prophet answered Naaman, neither do nor do not, but go in peace. I will not forbid thee nor I will not condemn thee, but if thy conscience condemn thee not, I think thy sin one of the least sins; & as Naaman prayed, Lord be merciful