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

If a man would borrow upon Usury, either to engross or forestall, or to compass some unlawful matter; that were a corrupt will, and no¹ Rule. But if His desire so to borrow were just and lawful, (as in some cases it may be) then it is no entire will, but mixed and forced by some necessity, for the avoiding of a greater Evil; ⟨p. 24⟩and therefore deemed in the eye both of Law and reason to be no will at all. He that would borrow; should have need to borrow; for a needless desire is unlawful: And he who hath need to borrow, would not willingly borrow, but for need; much less, would He pay Usury, if with convenience He might borrow freely. Therefore the will of the Borrower, in this case, is either corrupt, or no will at all; and so consequently without the compass of CHRISTS Rule.

If a man would borrow upon Vsury, either to ingrosse or forestall, or to compasse some unlawfull matter; that were a corrupt will, and no¹ Rule. But if His desire so to borrow were just and lawfull, (as in some cases it may be) then it is no entire will, but mixt and forced by some necessity, for the avoiding of a greater Evill; ⟨p. 24⟩and therefore deemed in the eye both of Law and reason to be no will at all. He that would borrow; should have need to borrow; for a needlesse desire is unlawfull: And hee who hath need to borrow, would not willingly borrow, but for need; much lesse, would He pay Vsury, if with convenience He might borrow freely. Therefore the will of the Borrower, in this case, is either corrupt, or no will at all; and so consequently without the compasse of CHRISTS Rule.

1. 1Hottom. de Usur. 85. Arist. Eth. 1. 1.