A short and private discourse between Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning usury. PublishedA short and priuate discourse betweene Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning vsury. Published

3. Into an Act of cruelty. A good man, ⟨p. 38⟩saith David, is merciful and lendeth. He then that perverteth this Act of Bounty and mercy to prey upon the want and necessity of His Brother, by covenanting absolutely for gain by lending where He bears no hazard, is unmerciful. He that increaseth His riches by Usury and interest, gathereth them for Him, that will be merciful to the poor. By which Antithesis, it seems that Solomon sets mercy in opposition unto Usury. See D. Fent. pag 106. And¹ therefore Luther doubted not to call the Usurer a Blood-sucker of the people.

3. Into an Act of cruelty. A good man, ⟨p. 38⟩saith David, is mercifull and lendeth. He then that perverteth this Act of Bounty and mercy to prey upon the want and necessity of His Brother, by covenanting absolutely for gaine by lending where He beares no hazard, is unmercifull. He that increaseth His riches by Vsury and interest, gathereth them for Him, that will be mercifull to the poore. By which Antithesis, it seemes that Salomon sets mercy in opposition unto Vsury. See D. Fent. pag 106. And¹ therefore Luther doubted not to call the Vsurer a Blood-sucker of the people.

1. 1In Decalogue.In Decalog.

Neither doth Usury only deprave the Duty of lending, but quite dry up the Fountain of love, for all free loan. Whereupon saith Bucer, A man may seem now adays, to be very¹ impudent, That shall desire to borrow freely: for he that lendeth freely, doth for the most part make this account of His benefit, that besides the forbearance of His money, wherewith He doth pleasure the Borrower; He doth as much for Him besides, as if He gave Him the tenth part of the principal, out of His purse.