A12367:309
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.
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 1unto me in this: so I think the Lord will be merciful unto thee in this: but if thy conscience go ⟨image 164⟩against it: then do it not, for it is sin to thee though it be free for another, because whatsoever is not done of faith is sin. I charge 2you in the fear of GOD that you do not mistake that which is said, for I know no learned preacher, nor learned writer of other mind. Yet least you should mistake the matter, as I distinguished of lenders, so I will distinguish of borrowers.
Many reasons moe are alleaged which I cannot refute, and therefore I will not contradict them: yet I meane not to decide the question, because I will not be mistaken; but if some should come vnto me in that necessitie and extremitie which I can imagine, and aske; may I borrowe money of these Vsurers to saue my life, or my credite, or my liuing, seeing no man will lend mee freelie? I would answere him as the Prophet answered Naaman, neither doo nor doo not, but goe in peace. I will not forbid thee nor I will not condemne thee, but if thy conscience condemne thee not, I thinke thy sinne one of the least sinnes; & as Naaman praied, Lord be mercifull 1vnto me in this: so I think the Lord will bee mercifull vnto thee in this: but if thy conscience goe ⟨image 164⟩against it: then doo it not, for it is sinne to thee though it bee free for another, because whatsoeuer is not done of faith is sinne. I charge