A26892:8970
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 4 › Chapter 19 › Section 4: Tit. 4. Cases of Conscience about Lending and Borrowing.
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.
§. 20. 2. There is no Positive Law of Christ forbidding all Usury: As for Luke 6. 32, 35. it is plainly nothing to the case: For he saith not, [Lend, looking for no gain or increase,] but [looking for nothing again.] And the Context showeth that the meaning must be one of these two: Either q. d. [Lend not only to them that will lend to you again when you are in want; but even to the poor, that you can never hope to borrow of:] Or else [Lend not only to them that are able to pay you, and where your stock is secured, but to the needy where your money is hazarded; and though they will pay you if •hey are able, yet you have little or no hope that ever they should be able to repay: L•nd so, as to be willing to make a gift of it in case the borrower never repay it.] And there is no other Text that can be pretended against it, in the New Testament.
§. 20. 2. There is no Positive Law of Christ forbidding all Usury: As for Luke 6. 32, 35. it is plainly nothing to the case: For he saith not, [Lend, looking for no gain or increase,] but [looking for nothing again.] And the Context sheweth that the meaning must be one of these two: Either q. d. [Lend not only to them that will lend to you again when you are in want; but even to the poor, that you can never hope to borrow of:] Or else [Lend not only to them that are able to pay you, and where your stock is secured, but to the needy where your money is hazarded; and though they will pay you if •hey are able, yet you have little or no hope that ever they should be able to repay: L•nd so, as to be willing to make a gift of it in case the borrower never repay it.] And there is no other Text that can be pretended against it, in the New Testament.
§. 21. 3. And that the Law of Nature doth not forbid all Usury, will appear by examining the several parts of it. The Law of Nature forbiddeth but three sorts of sins; 1. Those that are against Piety to God: 2. Those that are against our own welfare. 3. Those that are against our Neighbours good: And that is, 1. Against Justice: 2. Against Charity. There is none that falleth not under ome of these heads.