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…

If some may borrow upon Usury,¹ it doth not follow that all may borrow upon Usury, because all have not the like cause: therefore do not say that I teach you to borrow upon Usury, for I think that the most in this City which borrow upon usury, should not borrow as they do, because they rather maintain usury, then supply their necessity. Some I know borrow for mere necessity; if any may be allowed, those are they: but there is a kind of borrowers in this City, ⟨p. 197⟩which feed usurers as the bellows kindle the fire, so they have no need to borrow but because they would be rich, and richer, & richest of all: therefore they will employ all the money which they can borrow, thinking to get more by the use of it, then the usury of it doth come to. This maketh them sell their wares so dear, because they must not only gain the price, but the interest beside, and more then the interest too, or else they gain nothing. These borrowers are in another predicament then those which borrow for necessity: and therefore if they be not old enough to answer for themselves, I am too young to answer for them. There are other borrowers (as I have heard) which for some secret cause would seem barer & needier then they are, either because they would not be charged deeply with subsidies, or else because they would compound with their Creditors for a little: therefore they will have always something for Usury, that their Creditors may think them bare of money, or that other may pity them in their charges. These are like those Foxes which have wealth enough to pay their debts, and yet lie in prison because they would defraud their Creditors. I doubt not but there be more sorts then I know, I cannot hunt every corner, because I ⟨p. 198⟩want experience.² But this is my conclusion, I would have no man pay interest unto Usurers but for necessity, even as a traveller giveth his purse unto a thief, because he cannot choose. Thus you have heard what I can say of them which take usury, and them which give usury.

If some may borrow vpon Vsurie,¹