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 before I pass out of this point, let me acquaint you with an Hypocritical Trick of some cunning Usurers. Who if they hear a man preach, or argue against Usury; and feel themselves touched: They presently labour to daub and divert, by asking, whether He mean all Usury: And they hope all Usury in general is not to be disliked, &c. Is there not some Usury allowed by some Divines, as liberal Usury, Recompensing Usury, &c. Whereas they cannot but know in their own consciences, except they wilfully blind themselves, that this is nothing to the purpose; that they meddle not these ways, that hence, they get no patronage, or defence at all for their wretched Trade, and practise of Usury truly so called; poisoned by the covenant for certain gain, where it is uncertain, whether the Borrower shall gain at all or loose. Which differs formaliter as they say, from these now mentioned. For they are only called so improperly, and equivocally, as we speak in the Schools: ^*As a dead man is called a man.

But before I passe out of this point, let mee acquaint you with an Hypocriticall Tricke of some cunning Usurers. Who if they heare a man preach, or argue against Vsury; and feele themselves toucht: They presently labour to dawbe and divert, by asking, whether Hee meane all Vsury: And they hope all Vsury in generall is not to be dislikt, &c. Is there not some Usury allowed by some Divines, as liberall Usury, Recompencing Usury, &c. Whereas they cannot but know in their owne consciences, except they wilfully blind themselves, that this is nothing to the purpose; that they meddle not these waies, that hence, they get no patronage, or defence at all for their wretched Trade, and practise of Vsury truely so called; poysoned by the covenant for certaine gaine, where it is uncertaine, whether the Borrower shall gaine at all or loose. Which differs formaliter as they say, from these now mentioned. For they are onely called so improperly, and equivocally, as we speake in the Schooles: ^*As a dead man is called a man.

1. *If a man should set out the excellency of a man, discoursing of the admirable faculties of the soul, the goodly structure of His Body, &c. Were not He ridiculous that should step out and say: But I hope He means not all this of man in general. For a dead man hath no such thing, &c So, &c. The venom and poison of the unconscionable covenant and by consequent that life of iniquity is not found in liberal, or recompensing Usury.