A16337:170
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.
There is a worm in Latin called Teredo, that useth to breed in wood; which is very soft to touch, yet hath such steely teeth, that it eats into the hard timber: So the Usurer is a soft Beast, at first to handle, but in continuance of time, His Cannibal chops devour both flesh and bone, marrow and life of the Borrowers estate. The Ivy clasps about the Oak, as a lover and a friend, as though it would keep it warm, and cherish it; but thereby it grows up, overtops the Oak, and sucks out the juice and sap, that it cannot prosper: So just doth the Usurer pleasure the Borrower. See before pag. 3. And pag. 1.
There is a worme in Latine called Teredo, that useth to breed in wood; which is very soft to touch, yet hath such steely teeth, that it eates into the hard timber: So the Usurer is a soft Beast, at first to handle, but in continuance of time, His Canniball chops devoure both flesh and bone, marrow and life of the Borrowers estate. The Ivy claspes about the Oke, as a lover and a friend, as though it would keepe it warme, and cherish it; but thereby it growes up, overtops the Oke, and sucks out the juice and sap, that it cannot prosper: So just doth the Vsurer pleasure the Borrower. See before pag. 3. And pag. 1.
3. The kindness and good Thou doest to the Borrower in this case, is like that, which Thou shouldest do to a man in a burning Ague, in giving Him cold water to drink: for the1 present it refreshes Him, but after it doubles His pain, and increaseth His danger. Whereupon saith Saint Ambrose, The offering of the money is flattering and pleasant, but the exacting of Usury is most cruel and unmerciful.
3. The kindnesse and good Thou doest to the Borrower in this case, is like that, which Thou shouldest doe to a man in a burning Ague, in giving Him cold water to drinke: for the1 present it refreshes Him, but after it doubles His paine, and increaseth His danger. Whereupon saith Saint Ambrose, The offering of the money is flattering and pleasant, but the exacting of Vsury is most cruell and unmercifull.