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

1. Because the gain is certain, in respect of the Lender, and that for the loan only. 2. Because there is no respect had, whether the Borrowers gain be lawful, or not: Nay, whether He gain any thing at all, or no. 3. Because the Lender doth not adventure the principal. 4. Because He doth not rely upon GODS providence, for disposing and ordering of His goods: but will be sure of gain, if He live; Howsoever it goes with the Borrower.

1. Because the gaine is certaine, in respect of the Lender, and that for the loane onely. 2. Because there is no respect had, whether the Borrowers gaine bee lawfull, or not: Nay, whether Hee gaine any thing at all, or no. 3. Because the Lender doth not adventure the principall. 4. Because Hee doth not rely upon GODS providence, for disposing and ordering of His goods: but will bee sure of gaine, if Hee live; Howsoever it goes with the Borrower.

In a word, His case standeth thus: He¹ hopes to live many years; and when He dies, He is sure to die but once: then shall His Executors pay twenty in the Hundred, of such sums only, as then shall be abroad ⟨p. 65⟩at use. Under colour of this adventure, He lends His money, and lives upon the […] while He liveth. And so takes a course, by this covenant, to be an Usurer, if He live. No condition shall bar Him from it, but only death. Then of necessity, He must die an Usurer by virtue of the same Covenant. And doth any such brainless Worldling think, that His Executors, after His death can redeem His soul from that sin, wherein he died, by paying so much in the hundred, of His wealth, which then shall be none of His? What subtle snares are twisted by greedy wits, to strangle their own fowls, more unobservedly? For in this case Usury is masked under the Habit of hazard, and adventure.

In a word, His case standeth thus: Hee¹