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…

Moreover, I may compare giving of usury, to swearing: if a man swear without a 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 Usurers.

Moreouer, I may compare giuing of vsurie, to swearing: if a man sweare without a cause, hee sinneth; but if hee sweare as the Word teacheth him to sweare, hee sinneth not: so, if a man borrowe vpon vsurie, and borrow without cause, he sinneth, because he feedeth the Vsurer; but else, as a man may sweare in some case, so in some case a man may borrow vpon vsurie that is, in case of necessitie, when a man must needes borrow, and can borrow of none but Vsurers.

Lastly, I may allege, that usury & usurer, are never read in the scripture, but they signify him that takes usury, not him which gives usury: and therefore the scripture seemeth to forbid taking, but not giving.

Lastly, I may alledge, that vsurie & vsurer, are neuer read in the scripture, but they signifie him that takes vsurie, not him which giues vsurie: and therfore the scripture seemeth to forbid taking, but not giuing.

Many reasons more 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