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

3. In the laws of Usury, and other prohibitions ⟨p. 9⟩of oppression, express mention is made of the poor and helpless, Because 1. The poor are soonest, and easiest oppressed of the Rich; as the lowest hedge is oftenest stepped over. 2. It is a more grievous sin to oppress the Poor. 3. Those only who have need, have just occasion to borrow.

3. In the lawes of Usury, and other prohibitions ⟨p. 9⟩of oppression, expresse mention is made of the poore and helplesse, Because 1. The poore are soonest, and easiest oppressed of the Rich; as the lowest hedge is oftnest stepped over. 2. It is a more grievous sinne to oppresse the Poore. 3. Those onely who have need, have just occasion to borrow.

4. Shall a special Instance in some one Object, which makes the sin forbidden extremely hateful, abridge and restrain the generality of a law? Will the exaggeration of a sin in the highest degree make all those actions no sin, which come not to that degree? Because it is an heinous offence to steal a Cow from a poor man, is it not a sin to steal a Sheep from a rich man, that can spare it full well, and perhaps never miss it?

4. Shall a speciall Instance in some one Object, which makes the sinne forbidden extreamely hatefull, abridge and restraine the generality of a law? Will the exageration of a sinne in the highest degree make all those actions no sinne, which come not to that degree? Because it is an heinous offence to steale a Cow from a poore man, is it not a sinne to steale a Sheepe from a rich man, that can spare it full well, and perhaps never misse it?