Sermons upon Deuteronomy

But now some man will demand, whether all manner of profit be forbidden by lending. And it were a thing worth the discussing. For put the case that a man dealeth plainly, & delivereth his ware at a price and for a time. If the other break day with him and delay him of his money, doubtless he deserveth to pay the forfeiture or the profit which he withholdeth from him who made the loan. And when the interest or gain thereof is set by Justice, surely he needeth not to make any conscience to take it. There is a man which hath taken my commodity whereby I must live: for when I have sold to day I buy again to morrow: and therefore he that hindereth me, by withholding from me the gain of my commodity, from maintaining the trade of my shop, he doeth no better than cut my throat. For behold, I grounded my self upon him, he promised to pay me at such a day, that time is passed, and I can get nothing of him, he cares not though I and my family starve for hunger. Therefore in such case, justice ought to provide for a man: although that nowadays it dischargeth his duty but slenderly herein. For it seemeth that justice nowadays favoureth the case of cozeners, and that when they have snatched what they ⟨p. 824⟩can, and he that is bitten cometh to recover that which is reason by way of justice; it seemeth that he cometh into the court to have a new fine set upon his head. Verily it is too too wicked a mockery, when a man shall be so deceived, and yet can have no remedy for it. So then if a man be in this wise deceived, it is a clear case he may take interest and gain, and not be accused therefore either before God or before men. We may not therefore stand (as I §10told you) on the term or the word.

But nowe some man will demaunde, whether all manner of profite bee forbidden by lending. And it were a thing worth the discussing. For put the case that a man dealeth plainely, & deliuereth his ware at a price and for a time. If the other breake day with him and delaye him of his monie, doubtles he deserueth to pay the forfeture or the profite which hee withholdeth from him who made the loane. And when the interest or gaine thereof is set by Iustice, surely he needeth not to make anie conscience to take it. There is a man which hath taken my commoditie whereby I must liue: for when I haue solde to day I buy againe to morrow: and therefore hee that hindereth mee, by withholding from mee the gaine of my commoditie, from maintaining the trade of my shoppe, hee doeth no better than cut my throate. For beholde, I grounded my selfe vppon him, hee promised to pay mee at such a day, that time is passed, and I can get nothing of him, hee cares not though I and my familie starue for hunger. Therefore in such case, iustice ought to prouide for a man: although that nowadayes it dischargeth his dutie but slenderly herein. For it seemeth that iustice nowadayes fauoreth the case of cousiners, and that when they haue snatched what they