A16337:153
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
A short and private discourse between Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning usury. Published by E.B. by Mr. Bolton's own copyA short and priuate discourse betweene Mr. Bolton and one M.S. concerning vsury. Published by E.B. by Mr. Boltons owne coppy
London: printed by George Miller, 1637
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.
2. The Rule holds in buying and selling, but not in Acts of Charity; therein it is no good Rule. Thou bidst, for the purpose, thy poor neighbours to dinner: This is money worth, for it cost thee money, and saveth them money at home: yet Thou wilt not set a price upon it. Why? because it is a work of charity. Thou bidst thy rich neighbour sometimes; that which He eateth is worth money: yet thou wilt take none, but think foul scorn it should be offered. Why? because it is an Act of kindness, of neighbour-hood, of friendship. These things may not be bought or sold, the nature of them is to be free. Lending is a work of mercy to the poor, of kindness to thy neighbour, and therefore is ever f•ee. It is an unjust thing to sell charity, or friendship, as it is to sell justice: both are naught; this is bribery, and that is Usury.
2. The Rule holds in buying and selling, but not in Acts of Charity; therein it is no good Rule. Thou bidst, for the purpose, thy poore neighbours to dinner: This is money worth, for it cost thee money, and saveth them money at home: yet Thou wilt not set a price upon it. Why? because it is a worke of charity. Thou bidst thy rich neighbour sometimes; that which He eateth is worth money: yet thou wilt take none, but think foule scorne it should be offered. Why? because it is an Act of kindnesse, of neighbour-hood, of friendship. These things may not be bought or sold, the nature of them is to be free. Lending is a worke of mercy to the poore, of kindnesse to thy neighbour, and therefore is ever f•ee. It is an unjust thing to sell charity, or friendship, as it is to sell justice: both are naught; this is bribery, and that is Usury.
3. I insinuated before, the reason why money cannot be lawfully let, as well, as other things: none of those respects are incident unto money for which hire is lawfully required. For
3. I insinuated before, the reason why money cannot bee lawfully let, as well, as other things: none of those respects are incident unto money for which hire is lawfully required. For