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

Exc. But 1 may not I, may some Usurer say, expect consideration for the gain which I might have raised from the employment of my money, all that time, which I lent it; as well as […] recompense post moram as they say after delay, &c. 2 I might have employed it my self, and perhaps have been a good gainer: 3. And therefore I have forborne it to my hinderance, and by consequent deserve recompense even for the time of lending before delay.

Exc. But 1 may not I, may some Vsurer say, expect consideration for the gaine which I might have raised from the imploiment of my money, all that time, which I lent it; as well as 〈…〉 recompence post moram as they say after delay, &c. 2 I might have imployed it my selfe, and perhaps have beene a good gainer: 3. And therefore I have forborne it to my hinderance, and by consequent deserve recompence even for the time of lending before delay.

Rep. I answer in order to the three branches of this Exception: To the

First: By no means. For by the ordinance of GOD, and Law of nature, lending is free and charitable, intending the good of the Borrower and not of the Lender: and therefore ought not at all to become saleable and mercenary. An Act of charity should not be bought and sold. See before in divers pages: and Luke 6. 34, 35. Where lending is commanded, without providing for indemnity, in receiving the principal, if so their Brothers need truly require: much more without requiring an overplus above the principal: Which CHRIST saith in the same place even sinners would do. ⟨p. 59⟩Now therefore, if there could no other reason be given, why men should lend freely, and not for gain, yet this alone were sufficient, because GOD would have us lend freely, and not for gain. It ought to have been argument sufficient to our first Parents, to restrain them from the forbidden fruit; That GOD had forbidden it; though they had had other reasons to induce them to ear thereof. And as in that case, so in this, it is sin, and folly, to enter into disputation against the Word of GOD, according unto which, we shall be judged in the last day. The will of GOD, is the Rule of justice, and whatsoever He willeth, it is therefore good, and just, because He willeth it; and consequently simple, and absolute obedience must be performed thereunto, whatsoever arguments, impediments, or inconveniences can be pretended to the contrary.