A16337:71
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.
Therefore, that neither the Gentiles, by inequality of negotiation should eat up the Jews, nor yet the Jews should oppress one another by Usury, it might be, that in these civill respects the LORD permitted it towards the Gentiles. Which toleration in civill respects might absolve the Jews in the external Court, but not in the Court of Conscience: no more then the toleration of divorce did dispense with that hardness of their hearts before1 GOD.
Therefore, that neither the Gentiles, by inequality of negotiation should eate up the Jewes, nor yet the Jewes should oppresse one another by Vsury, it might be, that in these civill respects the LORD permitted it towards the Gentiles. Which tolleration in civill respects might absolve the Jewes in the externall Court, but not in the Court of Conscience: no more then the toleration of divorce did dispence with that hardnesse of their hearts before1 GOD.
- 1Mat. 19.
But if by stranger be meant only, the remnant ⟨p. 21⟩of the Canaanites, as *Saint Ambrose, and *Saint Hierome amongst the ancient: Junius, and Tremelius of latter time have expounded it: which I take to be the righter sense: See before pag. 2. Dow. pag. 210. I answer thus: Permission of Usury towards the Canaanite doth no more prove the Law against Usury not to be moral, then the allowance of Man-slaughter in war doth prove the Law forbidding murder to be judicial. For although the Law condemning Usury be never so perpetual, or moral; yet notwithstanding as other Commandments of GOD; so is it to be understood with this limitation, and restraint; namely, unless GOD otherwise appoint. All other Theft, as well as Usury, is forbidden in the moral Law, but if GOD, by special warrant allow the Israelites to spoil the Egyptians at their departure out of Egypt, they may lawfully do it. It is a fearful moral transgression, for a Father to kill His only Son: but if the LORD bid Abraham kill His own Son; He is authorized to do it. Mortal Princes dispense with their Laws, who then dare abridge this royal prerogative in the mighty LORD of Heaven and Earth? Whose Holy Will is the Rule of justice.