A GENERAL DISCOVRSE Against the damnable sect of Vsurers , grounded vppon the worde of God , and confirmed by the auctoritie of Doctors both auncient , and newe ; necessarie for all tymes , but most profitable for these later daies , in which , Charitie being banished , Couetousnes hath gotten the vpperhande .

Wherunto is annexed another Godlie Treatise concernyng the lawfull vse of ritches .

Seen and allowed accordyng to her Maiesties iniunctions .

¶ Imprinted at London for Andrew Maunsell in Paules Church-yard at the signe of the Parret . 1578.

CICERO ( as in his seconde booke of Diuination appeareth ) consideryng wherin he might best consume his time and studie to the profite of the Common-weale , whereof he was à member , findeth at the length , that he could not doe better , or bryng à greater commoditie , than to open certaine waies to his fellowe Citizens , wherby thei might become learned in the knowledge of good thynges . For my parte ( honorable and moste bountifull Patron . ) I see not wherein I can better spende my tyme , ( till it shall please God t'appoînte mee too some other purpose ) than in bringing sutch thinges into à vulgare tongue , whereby the ruder sorte of people may learne their dueties both towardes God , and man : whereby they may know that they are by nature men and not beastes , & by name Christians , not Infidels ; and therefore should auoyde bestlines and followe reason , and walke in purenesse of life , as it becometh Sainctes , not wallowe in wickednesse like sutch as knowe not God .

And although I am not ignorant , that among the learned some ( as among all sortes there bee , whiche , so themselues doe game , care not howe many bee vndone ) both thinke and speake muche against the diuulgatyng of good thinges into a common tongue : yet sure I am that nothing is more pleasing vnto God , more profitable for his church , nothing more t● th' aduancing of vertue , or to the rootyng out of sinne than is the same after the preaching of his woord . Foras I graunt that VIVA VOX , or ( as Sainct Hierome saide ) the liuely voyce of man doth most forceablie enter into the harte , and effectually perswade , so can it not bee denied but that the wrightinges of godly men , through the secrete working of the holy spirite , doe maruelously moue , and many times conuerte euen from dissolute behauiour to honest conuersation , and from filthines of life to the feare of God .

This can they affirme to be true , which either in tyme of persecution could not , or in this prosperous and peaceable tyme of the Gospell , what through the grosse ignorance of some , or the too intolerable negligence of other Pastors , cannot be instructed , though greatlie they desire , and paie full deerely for the same . This can they affirme also ( of any sorte , or calling ) whiche make it their delight at idle tymes , to be conuersant in the holy Scripture , and to learn the counsaile of the Lord in the wrightinges of good men . And this can they affirme , which be●yng sometyme in errour , and abhorring the sight of godlie Preachers , yet ( through the greate mercie of God ) by readyng secretlie the workes of some , whiche they could neuer bee allured openly to heare , haue been reclaimed to the flocke of Christ , and are the verie good seruauntes of God at this date . Whereby it is apparent , how iniurious they are to their brethren , how vngratefull to their countrie , how wicked against God , whiche mislike , speake , inueigh against the bringing either of the worde of God , or the workes of good men agreable to his wil , into à common tongue . As though that either God could be too muche honored , or godlinesse of too many practised : as though vertue could bee too common , or for some kinde of men to be vertuous were not commendable .

But sutch dealyng of theirs , doth euidently declare of what Religion they be . Iulian the Emperour did straightlie forbid the workes of learned and good men to be perused of any Christian ▪ But he was an Apostata , à reuolter from the trueth , an enimie to the Crosse of Christe , à blodie persecutor . The Turkes allowe no learning but their owne : But they are spoilers of good men , and sworne enemies to the truth . If these men were not either against true Religion aduersaries ; or in conuersation , wicked , truely they colde well abide the light of the Gospell to shine ouer all . For there is no suche token of a giltie conscience as to shunne the light . And therefore they loue darknesse , because their deedes are euill . That policie of Iulian did more abolish the truth , than all his persecution : That practise of the Turkes hath destroyed moe soules , than any crueltie vppon their bodies could haue done : This deuilish counsaile of Sathans lyms hath doen more harme to the Church of Christ in England and in other Countries , and may doe more , if it should be followed , than any feare , fagot , or force can bring to passe . But that Apostata Iulian being wounded to the death , could say at the length , Vicisti Galilaee , Christe thou doste preuaile : The Turkes for all their tyrannie haue not their will : And in spight of of the deuill , the Gospell doth and shall florish euerlastinglie . The truth may be oppressed ; the mouthes of good speakers may bee stopped ; the beste Preachers may be lothed ; Wolues and hirelinges may come in : nay , though there be , in many places hirelinges in stede of true shepherdes , and good men ( peraduenture for their owne synnes , or for the sinnes of the people peraduenture ) bee lothed , though the mouthes of some through Mammon be stopped , yet will the promise and purpose of God take place , his seruauntes shal be instructed , his enemies shal bee tolde their faultes , all shall knowe their dueties towardes God , their Prince , their betters , their equals , their inferiours , themselues , though not by wordes of mouthe , yet by wrighting : that both the godly may bee confirmed in the trueth , and the graceles conuerted in tyme and be saued . And therfore doth God in these daies , more than at any time , and in Englande ( verie strangely if it be well considered ) stir vp , and incense the mindes of some to wright , of others to translate : whereby as wee enioie externall happines more than many nations about vs , so are wee blessed with the ritches of the soule more than all the world againe .

Hence it is ( right honorable ) that as other thinges I haue doen , so of late I translated , and nowe haue published this Treatise against Usurie . A vice as horrible afore GOD as hurtefull to à Common-weale : and therfore as necessarie to bee knowen , both of subiectes to shunne it , and of Magistrates seuerely to punish it , as may bee . A vice whiche none but infidels will vse , and no godlie men can abide . And yet à vice whiche Infidels detest , and Christians , so called , in deede no Christians , delight in . A vice whiche among the Turkes and Indians is not allowed : and so odious among the Iewes , as they vse it not , but towardes strangers . A vice so vnknowen in tymes past , that to finde an Usurer in à Cittie was à woonder : and if any were so diuelishlie bent as to take Vsurie , he sware the giuer neuer to descriehym . If but any probable suspicion rose of à man to occupie that filthie trade , he was taken for à deuill in the likenes of à man : his house was called the deuils house , all that hee had was counted the deuils : and therefore while he liued of all sortes hee was abhorred : the Bayes in the streates would not come nigh hym , the men would not deale with him , the women feared hym , the Preestes barred hym from the holie Supper of the Lorde , and when he was dead , he was vsed like à Dogge , he had no Christian buriall .

But good Lorde , howe is the Worlde chaunged ? That whiche Infidels can not abyde , Gospellers allowe . That whiche the Iewes take onelie of straungers , and will not take of their owne Countreimen for shame , that doe Christians take of their deere freindes , and thinke for so doing they deserue greate thankes . That whiche afore tyme men durst not vse but secretly , that in these da●es is commonly vsed ▪ That whiche afore tyme brought men to shame , that in these da●es bringeth men to estimation . That whiche afore tyme was vsed of verie fewe , that in these daies is practised almoste of all , and made an occupation . I feare mee that many occupiers in the world which can not liue by their law full trade and beare à countenance , do maintaine themselues by Vsurie . I feare mee that many officers whose allowance is but verie small , and their liuing nothing at all besides , are iolie fellowes , and that by Usurie . I feare mee , that many gentlemen whose reuenues are but simple , can bring mighty things to passe , & that by Vsurie .

I would this were all ( although that were intolerable ) . But I would that among occupieres many , whiche hauing good trades whereby they may liue well , yet for greedines of more gaine , did not leaue their lawfull callinges , and liue onely by Usurie : I woulde that among sutche as are called gentlemen , many whiche haue liuinges , and may keepe good houses , did not either sell all , or forsake their home to come into populous townes and liue by Vsurie : I would that many whom God hath blest with ritches of this worlde , whereby they may procure good and commendable trades to liue by , refused not them to liue by Vsurie . And when I consider these thinges , I maruell with my selfe why suche enquirie is made for vagabondes , and none at all for these men , why poore wretches are straightlie examined how they do liue ; and these fellowes come not into question : I maruell , and sure I cannot sufficientlie maruell , why that Roages are burnt in the care , and Theeues are hanged , and yet these suffer no bodilie punishment at all . Roages leaue honest waies of liuing , and that wilfullie , and so doe these : Roages liue by idlenes , and the sweat of other mens browes , and so doe these . And therefore being as bad as Roages , they well deserue the punishment of Roages . Yea , but Roages lacke ● dwelling place , whiche Vsurers haue , and therefore more intolerable . But Vsurers lacke some honestie which Roages haue , and therefore more horrible . There is lightlie no Roage , but either his Raiment , or his talke , or his companie whiche hee keepeth , or some one thing or other , descerneth hym from an honest man : But an Vsurer is à Wolfe in à Lambes skinne , à Mermaide with à mans voyc● , à Iudas among good men , and is sildome knowen till his bloodie purpose taketh place . Againe , thefte is vnlawfull , and Theeues by good politike lawes are put to death by hanging . Usurie is theeuerie ( as out of the word of God , and the learned bookes of good men hereafter shal be proued : ) and therefore Vsurers like theeues deserue to be hanged . And surelie that is to good for them . For if simple theeues , whiche robbe most commonly for neede , against their wils , in feare , in out places , secretlie , straungers , deserue suche à death , how should they be handled , whiche haue no neede , and yet will steale , and that impudently without blushing , in famous places , openly , and from their freindes ? Surelie these twoo are so like , that the one in respect of the other may after à sorte , be pardoned .

And yet I would this were all , I would it rested onely in particular men ( although it should bee in none ) I would it stretched not to whole companies , and Parishes . But I certainlie beleue ( so farre is the Canker spred ) if diligent and secrete enquirie were made , that the stocke of many Churches would bee founde out at Vsurie , and the poore releeued by that shamefull gaine : and that the common Treasure of some companies doeth yerelie encrease by this deuilishe trade ; and yong occupiers , or other honest men fallen in decaie , whiche should accordyng to the willes of well desposed persones freely bee holpen , paie deerely for the vse thereof . A thyng so againste reason , and the Religion whiche wee professe , as , almoste , nothyng can bee more .

But what is the cause of all these mischiefes ? Truely nothing els , but ( as the honourable now for his auctoritie , alwaies for his vertue , learnyng , and loue of his countrie honorable Maister Doctour Wilson in his excellent discourse vppon this matter saied ) the lacke of penall statutes . O that it would please your honour to thinke here of ( as I hope you doe , and will ) and consider how God hereby is dishonored ; the glorie of this countrie obscured ; honest men beggered ; roages and theeues maintained ; hospitalitie hindered ; charitie extinguished , religion defaced , and withall consider vppon some notable punishementes for these rotten and vnprofitable members , your glory should bee greater in bryngyng that to passe , than euer was the glorie of Hercules for killyng the Monsters of his tyme .

It was an olde Prophesie among the Lacedemonians , that the loue of money should bryng the destruction of Sparta : and therefore to preserue that citie the better ( as Erasmus noteth ) thei appoincted that he should lose his life , that brought any money into that Common-weale . Notwithstanding good lawes through wicked Magistrates in tyme were neglected ; good counsaile not regarded ; couetousnesse crept in , and Vsurie was so common , as richmen thereby became beggers , and fre-men bondslaues . The which though many lamented , yet most of al greeued Agesilaus ( a noble capitain among the Lacedemonians ) and therefore complained vnto the Kyng , and by sute obtained that the account , or notory bookes of Vsurers should bee openly burnte vp : whiche was brought to passe . A notable punishemente for those cormorant Vsurers . Cicero thinketh ( of whose opinion I am ) that it is à Prophesie not for Sparta alone , but for all wealthy cities & Commonweales : and it maie bee for certaine , that that state is not of continuance , where vice is embraced , and vertue banished ; couetousnesse crepte in , and care of godlinesse caste out ; Usurie allowed , and lawfull trades of liuyng not maintained . Now , Vsurie beeyng growen to suche a perfecte ripenes in Englande , as almoste there is no man , but , if he haue spare money , out it muste , whereby honeste men become beggers , and ( though not in suche sorte as thei were at Sparta ) the vertuous become , in effecte , bond slaues , to the veriest slaues by Nature , whiche thyng full many doe greuouslie lament , if it would please your honor ( as noble à capitaine in Englande , as euer Agesilaus was in Sparta ) to procure à redresse hereof , I doubt not , but as the realme should bee deliuered from à marueilous slauerie in the tyme present , so it would bee à cause that GOD should blesse this lande exceadyngly in the tyme to come .

I wish not ( honourable : ) not that their bookes of accountes should be consumed with fire , whiche the valiant mynde of Agesilaus brought to passe ; nor that the principall should not bee repaied , muche lesse an ouerplus paied , whiche punishemente Plato did appointe ; nor that they should haue à double punishment more than theeues had , which the Romans did enioyne them ; nor that their gooddes after their deceasse should be confiscate to the prince , as they were sometyme by Kyng Edwardes Lawes ; nor that their bodies should bee banished , as thei were out of Asia by Lucullus ; out of Cicilia by Cato ; by Solon out of Sparta ; and out of Englande by Kyng Edward the firste ( all which were notable punishementes , and proue that Usurers bee no members to bee cherished in à Commonwealthe ) I prescribe no certaine punishement , it were punishable presumption in me , it becometh me not , only I wish that thei maie bee moste seuerely punished , the maner how , I leaue vnto your wisedome . And that maie well be brought to passe , if you once attempt the same : the poore Commons , the zealous Preachers , the better sorte of inferiour persones will assiste you , with their deuoute prayers vnto almightie God ; others , like vnto your self , will aide you with godlie policie ; the noble and famous Erle of Leicester hath been already à fauourer of this cause , and no doubte will further it to the vttermoste of his power ; the honourable Maister Secretarie Wilson hath moste learnedlie to the vewe of the worlde , and to the greate profite of many , depainted these fellowes in their liuelie colours , and would reioyce , I am pers● aded , exceadingly to see as faire à riddaunce of them out of England and the Queenes dominions as , God bee thanked , there is of Wolues by the meanes of King Edgar ; finaly , her maiestie , praised bee God therefore , hath been and is vertuoslie enclined , and will graciously allowe , what soeuer your wisedome , with other of her Counsaile and Nobilitie shall thinke meete to bee established for the profite of her people , and the glorie of God .

Now that it ma●e bee knowen , that , as Philosophers through the force of reason ; and the Prophetes , with other godlie men , through the Spirite of God , in all ages haue condemned Vsurie : So the Preachers in these daies cannot , and good Protestantes will not allowe the same , I haue been moued once againe after many learned and zealous men , to publishe this treatise in our Englishe tongue . And besides that the wicked , and obstinate Vsurers hereby ( knowyng bothe how greeuously thei offende God , and hurte their Countrie , and yet persistyng in their obstinate impietie without repentaunce ) shall encrease their paines in the pitte of hell : I doubte not , but as many as haue any sparcles , or fire of godlinesse within them , whiche shall reade this booke , euen for the onely feare of displeasyng God , whiche hath foretolde that Vsurers shall die ( he meaneth thei shal be damned ) Ezech. 18 ; that they shall not dwell within his tabernacle ( thei shal be excluded from the ioyes of heauen ) Psalme . 15 ; that thei must lende freelie , Luke . 6 ; though no punishement were appoincted by the Magistrate , will from their hartes repente them , if thei haue been Vsurers , and vtterly abstaine from it them selues , and reproue it in others .

And because many , whiche delight in Vsurie , would auoide the same , did thei knowe the lawfull vse , from the wicked abuse of ritchesse , I haue thought it as necessarie for me to declare , how that ritches maie bothe vertuously be gotten , and vsed Christianly , as to shewe how shamefullie thei are abused by the impietie of Vsurers . For whiche cause I haue annexed hereunto another short discourse , and haue entituled the same The Lawfull vse of Ritches . The whiche though it bee not a translation altogether , as is the former parte concerning Usurie , yet haue I taken the same in effecte ( whiche I thinke good to acknowledge , that the auctour maie haue his deserued praise ) out of the learned Commentaries of the famous diuine Nicolas Hemingius .

Whiche treatises , bothe to shewe à publike testimonie of a gratefull mynde to your honour warde , by whose encouragement I tooke them in hande , and what els soeuer I haue , or at any tyme shall goe aboute : and also of good will to many , I humbly present vnto your honour , hopyng that you will accept them in as good parte , as you haue doen other thynges of myne , not generally so profitable .

GOD requireth of euerie man in his calling ( prudent Senators , ) both a knowledge & a setting forth , a confession & a protection of the truth especiallie beecause nothing is more excellent than the trueth , and nothing more pernicious than falsehode . Wherefore in as much as out of the word of God I haue learned , what may be thought of the exacting of Vsurie , I haue labored for my calling sake diligentlie to teache , and faithfully too admonishe men , that they take heede of the same . For nothing is more hurtfull either to our state in this world , or to our soules and bodies for euer ; nothing is more against the state of Common-weales , or sooner bringeth them to decaye . And for that I perceiue , that , in these latter , and most perilous times of the worlde , in whiche all thinges are inclined to deuouryng and scrapyng together , men are so blinded , that notwithstandyng the wonderfull cleerenes of the Gospell , contrarie to so many , and so euident testimonies of holy scripture , contrarie to so many sentences of the reuerend Doctors , contrarie to so many lawes both of countries , and of nature , yea & contrary to the opinions of the very Pagans , they allowe , exercise , and contende that the profite by Vsurie is lawfull gaine : I haue proceeded so far in this matter , that in my confession now extant , I haue by euident testimonies of the Scriptures , of godly fathers , and of the Lawe , proued , that Vsurie as a thing which bringeth to the soule infection , to Commonweales destruction , to mankind the wrath of God , and maketh them subiect to the tyranny of Sathan , and eternall miserie and destruction , is greatly to bee reprehended , and to be forbidden . Which my exhortation how it hath been taken , is so wel knowen to al your honours , or at least to the moste of you , that I neede not at this tyme to mention the same . In the defence of which confession ( whiche when tyme shall serue we will giue out ) this matter shall more copiously be handled .

And that all wise , godly & learned men may perceiue , that in the reprouing and condemnyng of the moste filthy , shamefull and pestilent exactions of Vsurie , I shun not the light ( howsoeuer the iudgementes of men wil be of this libertie ) therefore , as once I published my opinion of Vsurie in the Germane tongue , so now I doe the same in another language , in the whiche , either Germane , or as it is , if any find whiche doeth mislike him , let it onely be shewed , and we will aunswere him truelie and with Scripture . To reprehende , or , more truely to speake , to cauill is no harde thing , but to shewe the error , that is troublesome .

And for that both we ought to profit our country , and the rumor spread of the Confession is well knowen vnto your honours , I haue supposed it most expedient to publish the same vnder your mightie protection , that it may bee knowen vnto you , both vppon what foundations I stande in this cause of dispraising Vsurie , and that I feare neither the authoritie , neither the subtilty of arguments . For the holy Scripture serues me better to victory , than the plausible sentences of all the world . I trust this my dedication wil be gratefully accepted of you all , because it was first begon , and is now finished for the profit of my countrie , and for the propagation and defence of the trueth .

The discourse of barganing I haue therfore pretermitted , which I would haue the discrete reader to vnderstande , especially because this matter of Vsurie toucheth our profession , whiche I would take vppon mee to handle with wisedome , deliberation , and iudgement . For , as the learned knowe , to entreate of bargaining is peculier to another facultie . Notwithstanding I allowe all lawfull contractes agreable to the worde of God , according to the lawes written , and of nature , instituted , ordained , profitable , and necessarie to the conseruation and maintenance of this present life . And who shall defende the contrarie thereunto , hym let all the wise and godly accuse of filthy and damnable heresie . Now if I shall perceiue , this my doing to be gratefull to your wisedomes , as I hope it will , if by any meanes when opportunitie shall serue , I may pleasure or profit your honours , nothing of my part , God willyng , shal bee wanting to the doing of the same . And I doe counsaile and beeseech you in the feare of God , that you haue the trueth alwaies in greate estimation , and that ye abhor , and punish all falshod and lying , euen for his sake which is the author of trueth , and the hater and reuenger of lies , and opprobrious talke .

Here I commend your Lordships into the protection of almightie God , whom I beseeche to graunt you so to repent , and to gouerne in this life , that hereafter you may raigne for euer with Christ in the world to come . At Gotingham in Saxonie . Anno. 1569.