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

But if thy wealthy friend have some present occasional need, (as the richest may have) then if Thou canst spare it, lend in kindness, and neighbourhood, to receive like courtesy again an other time. This in such a case, is consideration enough for a Christian, because the Heathens desired no more but [Greek or Hebrew]: For even sinners,¹ saith CHRIST, lend to sinners to receive the like: the like kindness an other time upon the like occasion. Humane society cannot stand without lending, and borrowing, saith Basil. And wherefore hath GOD made men sociable creatures, but to help one another upon such occasions?

But if thy wealthy friend have some present occasionall need, (as the richest may have) then if Thou canst spare it, lend in kindnesse, and neighbourhood, to receive like curtesie againe an other time. This in such a case, is consideration enough for a Christian, because the Heathens desired no more but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉: For even sinners,¹ saith CHRIST, lend to sinners to receive the like: the like kindnesse an other time upon the like occasion. Humane society cannot stand without lending, and borrowing, saith Basil. And wherefore hath GOD made men sociable creatures, but to helpe one another upon such occasions?

1. 1Luke 6. 34.

In a word, To those, who have no need to borrow, we need not lend. But if we do lend, we must lend freely: or if we will look to gain, by those, which need not our help, we must deal with them, by some honest contract ⟨p. 41⟩of negotiation. For loan is such a contract, as GOD hath appointed to be free; and where it is not free, He hath condemned it with fearful