A12406:412
The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his…
The sermons of Master Henry Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.The sermons of Maister Henrie Smith gathered into one volume. Printed according to his corrected copies in his life time.
London: printed by Richard Field for Thomas Man, 1593
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
I have spoken of Bribery, and Simony, and now I must speak of their sister Usury. Many times have I thought to speak of this Theme, but the arguments which are alleged ⟨p. 161⟩for it, have made me doubtful what to say in it, because it hath gone as it were under protection. At last you see it falleth into my text, and therefore now I cannot balk it any longer. Therefore if any here have favoured this occupation before, let him now submit his thoughts to Gods thoughts, for I will allege nothing against it, but that which is built upon the rock.
I haue spoken of Briberie, and Symonie, and now I must speake of their sister Vsurie. Many times haue I thought to speake of this Theame, but the arguments which are alleadged ⟨p. 161⟩for it, haue made me doubtfull what to say in it, because it hath gone as it were vnder protection. At last you see it falleth into my text, and therefore now I cannot bauke it any longer. Therefore if anie heere haue fauoured this occupation before, let him now submit his thoughts to Gods thoughts, for I will alleadge nothing against it, but that which is built vpon the rocke.
Usury is the sin which God will try now whether you love better than his word: that is, whether you will leave it if he forbid it. For if he flatly forbid it, and yet you wilfully retain it, then you love Usury better than Gods word. Therefore one saith well, that our Usurers are Heretics,1 because after many admonitions, yet they maintain their error, and persist in it obstinately as Papists do in Popery. For this cause I am glad, that I have any occasion to gripple with this sin where it hath made so many spoils, & where it hath so many patrons: for it is said, that there be moe of this profession in this City, then there be in all the Land beside. There be certain sins, which are like an unreasonable enemy, which will not be reconciled to death; and this is one of these everlasting sins, which live and dye with a man. For when he hath resigned his pride, and his envy,