Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 82
Now this Commandement being Negatiue, I will first shew what it forbids.
Quest. VVhat doth this Commandement forbid?
Answ. In generall, eueryevery thing whatsoeuer that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of man.
Quest. VVhat are the things that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of man?
Ans Either things inward in the heart, or outward things.
Quest. VVhat are the things inward in the heart that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of man?
Answ. They are inward longings and lustings of the heart after another mans goods, the heart giuing consent to them:Ioh. 7.21. Micha. 2.2. 2 Pet. 2.14. 1 Iohn. 2.16. or they are couetous desires in the hearts of men or women, of that wealth which is none of theirs, though they neuer seeke to get it wrongfully.
Quest. Is all desire of wealth and of outward riches altogether vnlawfull?
Answ. No; desire is a naturall affection of the heart, and being towards any good thing, as wealth and outward riches are, it is lawfull and good, when it is with due measure and moderation, according to the nature of the thing desired.
Quest. When is the desire of wealth and outward riches moderate and lawfull?
gardly sparing when there is necessary cause of spending:Eccles. 2.26. Eccles. 4.18. Eccles 6.1.2. as when a man or a woman cannot find in their hearts to take their part of the wealth that God hath giuen them, but do depriue themselues of the vse of that which they hauehave in their owne keeping, and do pinch their owne bellies & backs, and starue thēselues, especially in the time of sicknes & weaknes.
Quest. VVhat are the things that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of another or others, one or more?
Answ. Such things as tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate either of the Church or of the Common wealth, or of some priuate person or persons one or more.
Of these in order.
Quest. What are the things that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of the Church?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. Sacriledge, or Church-robbery, Rom. 2.22. which is committed two wayes.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; by diminishing, or by withdrawing or taking to ones selfe, in whole or in pa…t, those things that either by the commandem…nt of God, or by the free and voluntary gift of man,Iosh. 7.21. Iosh. 6.19. Pro. 29.25. Mat. 3.8.9.10. or by the law of man are appoynted and set apart to religious vses, as for the maintaining of the Ministers of the word, or for the maintaining of Vniuersities and Schooles of Learning, or for the reliefe of the poore, or doe any way belong to the seruice of God, as places appoi…ted for people to meet in to worship God, commonly called Churches; Communion Table, Cup, Cloth, Bookes, or the like; and such was Achans sinne, Iosh 7.21. compared with Iosh. 6.19.
Quest. What is the second way by which Sacriledge or Church robbery is committed?
Iere. 23.1.2. Ezech. 34.2.38Answ. This; by employing things appoynted and set apart to religious vses, to other ends and purposes, and by abusing them especially by such as hauehave the benefit and vse of them, as when the Ministers of the Word abuse their outward meanes appoynted for their mainten…nce,Philip. 2.21. Iudg. 9.4. Dan. 5.2.3. Mat. 21.12.13. to maintaine themselues in Idlenesse, adding liuing to liuing, and doe f…ed themselues, but feed not the people that depend on them, or doe mis-spend their meanes in ryot and exc…sse, as in keeping Haukes, Hounds, in Carding, Dicing, and the like: of such the Lord complaines, Ierem. 23.1, 2. Ezek. 34 2, 3, 8.
Quest. May lands or goods giuen to Idolatrous and Superstitious vses be conuerted and employed to other vses or no?
Answ. They may; and it is lawfull to conuert such lands and goods to the true seruice of God; and therin is no wrong at all off…red to the Will of those that gaue them: for their generall intendment is obserued, the applying of them to sacred vses, though the particular vse bee not kept, which they (led with errour) intended. Ioshua 6.19. the Lord commaunded the Siluer, & Gold, and vessels of Brasse and Iron of Jericho, should bee consecrate vntounto the Lord, and should come into the Lords Treasury.
Quest. Is there not sometimes a spirituall sacriledge?
Answ. Yes, there is; when the preaching of the Word,Iere. 23.30. Ioh: 10.8. and administration of the Sacraments is taken away from the Church.
Quest. What is the third thing that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of the Church?
Answ. Simony, or buying and selling of Church-offices or places to exercise those Offices in; and consequently buying and selling of the Mysteries and Sacraments of the Church, and of spirituall things for priuate gaine, which is properly Simony, and was the sinne of Simon Magus, Act. 8.18.19. 1 King: 5.20 21. Mat. 23.14.Acts 8.18, 19. Of Gehazi, exacting a reward for the gift of healing, 2 Kings 5.20, 21. &c. And this is the sinne of those who sell their Prayers for money, Math. 23.14. And this is the sinne of the Popes Chapmen, who sell Pardons, and remission of sinnes for money, Dispensations, Reliques, and such like.
Quest. What are the things that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth & outward good estate of the Commonwealth?
Answ. Three things especially.
Answ. They are things done either by the buyer or the seller, or by both.
Quest. What are the things done by the buyer, that tend to the hurt or hind…rance of the wealth, and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. Three things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Pro. 20.4. Isai 5.20. Mat. 7.12.Answ. This; the extenuating of the goodnesse of the things which the buyer cheapneth contrary to his owne knowledge, either by himselfe or by another: when the buyer debaseth the things he would buy, and dispraiseth them aboue measure, and that against his owne conscience and knowledge; or sets another to vnderbid for them, that hee may get them better cheape.
Quest. What is the second thing done by the buyer, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the taking aduantage of the sellers simplicitie or present necessity, to buy his commoditie for lesse then it is worth: as when the buyer knowing the seller to bee simple and vnskilfull in selling his commodity,Gen. 23.9.13. Leuit. 25.14.15.16. being young, simple, or silly witted: or that the seller must needs sell for present money, the seller it may be making his moane to the buyer and telling of his present neede, he seekes to get his commodity, if he can, for halfe the worth of it: and sometimes gets that for one penny, which he knowes is worth three, and would not be had for lesse, were not the sellers present neede so great. Gen. 23.9.13. Abraham would giuegive the price, Obiection. so much as the field was worth. Leuit. 25.14.15.16. whence it is cleare, that in buying a man must shew louelove to the seller: and how is that done when hee takes more from him th…n he giues preying on his necessity?
Gen. 25.30. to the end, Iacob tooke aduantage of Esaus present neede, to buy his birthright for a portion of meale, his birthright being much more worth: therefore it seemes that the buyer may take aduantage of the sellers necessity.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; that fact of Jacob was extraordinary, and no rule for vsus to follow: for Iacob knew by his Mothers instruction, that the Lords purpose was to deriue the birthright to him, and he tooke the occasion and opportunity that was offered of buying it, being thereunto moued by the spirit of God; therefore his fact will not warrant the buyer to take aduantage of the sellers present necessity.
Quest. What is the third thing done by the buyer, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the making of bad payment of the price agreed on betweene him and the seller:Gen. 23.16. Iere. 32.8.9.10. Gen. 43.12 as when the buyer hauing agreed to giuegive the seller so much for his commodity, either giues him nothing at all or lesse then he should giuegive, or giues him that which he knowes to be counterfeit stuffe for good: or for his good ware, wittingly and willingly, giues him base or counterfeit coyne: or if the seller mistell the money, and tell short of the price he should receiue, the buyer reserues it to himselfe as gaine well saued. Thus did not Abraham. Gen. 23.16.
Quest. What are the things done by the seller, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth, and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. Fine things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the praysing, commending and extolling the things he hath to sell, and is about to sell aboue the knowne goodnesse and worth of them: as when the seller prayseth the things hee hath to sell, and is about to sell, and extolleth them aboue measure, and farre beyond that which he knows and is perswaded touching the goodnesse and worth of them, and saith they are so good, as there is no better of that kinde to bee had for money, when hee knowes they are faulty: or they are so much worth, and they stood him in so much, and he hath beene bidden so much for them: happily vnderunder a colour by his owne wife, or his friend,Psal. 15.2. Isai. 5.20. or his partner and the like; that he may sell them the dearer and get the more for them. Psal. 15.2. his tongue speakes that which his heart and conscience tells him is false.
Quest. What is the first thing done by the seller, that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Leuit. 25.14.15.16. 1 Thess. 4.6.Answ. This; the raysing of the iust price of things, and the wracking of the prices of things hee hath to sell, to the oppression of the poore, when the seller according to his owne greedy and gripple minde, raiseth the price of his commodities. 1 Thess. 4.6. duplicate page modum excedere in augendis rerum precijs.
Obiection. The thing is mine owne I hauehave to sell.
Quest. May I not make of mine owne what I can?
Answ. No; a man may not make of his owne what hee can,Mat. 7.12. Galat. 5.15. to the hurt and wronging or oppressing of another or others, one or more: that is against the rule of Christ. Mat. 7.12. and that Galath. 5.15.
Quest. How then is a man to set the price of his commodity that he hath to sell?
Answ. Not according to his owne greedy minde, but according to the rule of …quitie, that is, according to the value of the thing, and benefit it is like to yeeld to the buyer. Leuit. 25.14.15.16. They were to value their fruites, Corne and such like, according to the number of them, and benefit that might come to the buyer, and according to the number of yeares of the Reuenues. And so must a man prize his commodity according to the value of it, and benefit it is like to yeeld to the buyer.
Quest What are the things done both by the buyer & the seller, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth & outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Isai. 55.2. Act. 19.24.Answ. The buying and selling of things either vnprofitable and hurtfull; as Cards, Dice, and such like: or things tending meerely to maintaine pride and vanity; as paintings, complexions, and such like: or tending meerely to maintaine superstition; as Beads, Crucifixes, & such like.
Quest. What are the things done in borrowing & lending, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
A. They are things done either by the borrower, or by the lender.
Quest. What are the things done by the borrower, that tend to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ Two things e…pecially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the not returning, or not restoring againe the thing borrowed to the lender as it ought to bee returned or restored, which is done three waies.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; by not returning,2 King. 6.5. Psal. 37.21. Pro. 3.27. Rom. 13.8. or not restoring the thing borowed to the lender at all when the borrower: doth keepe backe the thing borrowed from the lender altogether, and doth not meane to returne or to restore it to him or her of whom he hat… borrowed it, if he can retaine it.
Quest. Wh…t is the second way by which the borrower doth not returne, or not restore againe the thing borrowed to the lender, as it ought to be returned or restored?
Answ. This; by not returning, or not restoring the thing borrowed to the lender in due time, and at the time appointed for the returning and restoring of it; but keeping it ouer and aboue that time, without the consent of the lender: when the borrower doth keepe the thing borrowed longer th…n the …ime appointed, for the returning and restoring of it, and doth deferre and put off the lender, he requiring the thing lent, from day to day, and from time to time, and it may be driues the lender to recouer it by Law, which was lent in louelove. The Iewes had a Law that the debter that did defer to pay his debt, should bee sould, and himselfe, wife and children should become slaues to the Creditor, as app…ares 2 King. 4.1 Pro 3.28.
Quest: What is the third way by which the borrower doth not returne nor restore againe the thing borrowed to the lender, as it ought to be returned or restored?
Answ: This; by not returning, or not restoring againe to the lender the thing borrowed, which is spent in the vse of it, as Wine, B…ere, Bread, Fl…sh and such like; both as much and eueryevery way as good as was lent in the same kind, or by not returning or restoring the thing borrowed which is not spent in the vse of it, whether it be a liuing thing, as a Seruant, an Hors…, an Oxe, or the like: or a t…ing without life, as Money, Garments, H…ushold stuffe; an Artificers Toole, Instrument or Vessell, or such like, both as much and eueryevery way as good as it was lent: but either lesse or worse money then was lent, wittingly and wil…ingly, as Bankerupts, who sometimes breake that they may escape by paying halfe or a quarter of their debt:Exod. 22.14. 2 Kings 4.7. or other things hurt or spoyled, or any way in worse case then they were lent through the borrowers want of care and good vsage of them, without offer of du… satisfaction for the dammage, and without making due satisfaction, being required.
Quest. What is the ground of this, that the borrower is to restore the thing borrowed as good as it came to his hands, or if it be hurt or spoyled through his negligence or want of care and good vsage, that he is to make satisfaction for the dammage?
Answ. This; because the borrower only receiues benefit by the thing lent, so long as he hath the vse of it; therefore he is in equitie bound to make it good, in regard of the least fault that shall come to it thorow his want of care and good vsage.
Quest. What if the borrower be by the immediate hand of God, not by any negligence or default of his, disabled and cannot returne the Money or other thing he hath borrowed: what is hee then to doe?
P…ou. 6.3. Math. 18.26.Answ. He is then to humble himselfe to the len…er, and to request him to be fauourable to him, and to purpose restitution, and to promise payment whensoeuer God shall make him able; and if God make him able, to performe it.
Quest. What if the lender be dead, and none appointed to require the Money or other thing in the borrowers hand, nor any order left to exact it: what is the borower then to doe?
Numb. 57.8. Dan. 4.24. Luke 19.8.Answ. The borrower is then to returne the Money, or other thing borrowed, to the Children of the lender, if hee hauehave Chil…ren; if he hauehave none, to the next of his kindred, or for want of such, if they cannot bee found, then to the Church, or to the p…ore.
Quest. What is the second thing done by the borower that tends to the hurt or hinderance of the wealth and outward good estate of some particular person or persons, one or more?
Answ. This; the borrowing of any thing especially money, either to ill ends and purposes, or after an vnlawfull manner.
Quest. How doth the borrower borrow a thing, especially money, to ill ends and purposes?
Answ. Thus; when hee borroweth either to maintaine himselfe in pride, riot or excesse: or he borroweth that by the thing borrowed, he may hurt or wrong another or others in his or their wealth and outward estate: as when one hath sufficient meanes of his owne to mannage his trade, so as hee may liue well by his trading, and gaine and thriue by it, yet borroweth that he may hauehave wherewith to ouersway others of the same Trade, and to keepe them vnderunder, that hee alone may come forward in wealth,Isai. 5.8. Hab. 2.6.9.10. and others may either stand at a stay or goe backwards: this is the euill eye, Pro. 28.22.Pro. 28.22. when a man thinkes all lost that comes not to his purse.
Quest. How doth the borrower borrow a thing especially money, after an vnlawfull manner?
Answ. Thus; when he borroweth it on vsurie, that is, so as he couenanteth with the lender to returne to him, not only the thing lent in the full quantitie of it, but something ouer and aboue only in liew and recompence of the lending of it: Ierem. 15.10. I hauehave neither lent on vsurie (saith the Prophet) nor men hauehave lent vntounto me on vsurie, yet eueryevery one doth curse me. Implying that if he had done either, there had been iust cause why he should be euill thought of.
Obiection 1 Borrowing on vsurie, doth not hurt or hinder the borrowers wealth or outward good estate, he being a tradesman: and hauing a good trade, he may vse the thing borrowed so as hee may giuegive vse for the loane of it, and yet gaine by it: therefore it seemes not vnlawfull for such an one to borrow on Vsurie.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; though the borrower on vsurie, may so vse the thing borrowed as he is able to giuegive vse for the loane of it, and yet gaine by it: yet he gets that gaine out of those page missing with him,Deut. 23.19. Nehem. 5.10.11. Psalm. 15.5. Prou. 28.8. to returne to him not only the thing lent in full number, weight and measure, and the full summe and quantitie of it, but also an ouerplus, and something ouer and aboue only in liew and recompence of his lending.
Obiection. Exod. 22.25. If thou lend money to my people (that is) to the poore with thee, thou shalt not be as an vsurer vntounto him, yee shall not oppresse him with vsurie: only the lending on vsurie which is biting and oppressing is forbidden. Therefore not simply all lending on vsurie.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; the words are foreign yee shall not impose vsurie on him, and all vsurie imposed on the poore and needy is oppression of them; yea all lending on vsurie, whether to the rich or to the poore is biting, and what soeuer is lent on vsurie is called a biter, and is said to bite. Deut. 23.19. Thou shalt not giuegive to vsurie to thy brother: as vsurie of money, vsurie of meate, vsurie of any thing that is put to vsurie or which biteth, foreign so the Hebrew phrase signifieth eueryevery thing or any thing which biteth.
Againe, any addition or encrease aboue the thing lent, required by couenant is condemned Ezech. 18.13.17.
Obiection. Exod. 22.25. and Leuit 25.35.36. Lending on vsurie to the poore, is forbidden, therefore it seemes lawfull to lend on vsurie to the rich.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; the consequence is not good, Pro. 22.22. we are forbidden to robbe the poore, because he is poore, wee may not thereupon inferre: therefore we may robe the rich, because he is rich: and Deut. 23.19. no mention is made of the poore, but vsurie is forbidden towards a brother whether he be rich or poore.
Obiection. Deut. 23.20. To a stranger thou maist lend vponupon vsurie, therefore lending on vsurie may be practised to some, and so it is not simply vnlawfull.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
An. Thus; the word foreign there vsed signifies not any stranger whatsoeuer, but that stranger or this stranger, that is the remnant of the Canaanites whom the Lord had appointed to be rooted out, and would hauehave by little and little consum d: & the people of God might then lawfully vse the Sword against them, and kill them and therefore they might then also lawfully keepe them vnderunder with vsurie, and so that place makes nothing to proue Vsurie lawfull.
Obiection. The Law that forbids Vsurie is not morall but a iudiciall Law amongst the Iewes, and therefore it belongs not to vsus.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; If it were a iudiciall Law among the Iewes, Ezech. 18.10.11.12.13. Ezech. 22.6.1…the equity of it is perpetuall, and belongs to vsus.
Againe, Vsurie is reckoned amongst the transgressions of the morall Law, yea among the abominations, great and grieuous transgressions of Gods Law; as Idolatrie, Murther, Incest, and the like.
Obiection. The Apostles of Christ reckoning vp particular sinnes in the New Testament, neuer once make mention of vsurie: therefore it seemes not to be altogether vnlawfull.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Ans. Thus; the argument is not good, being drawne from one part of Scripture negatiuely: it is sufficient that vsurie is forbidden in the Old Testament, and there reckoned vp among the breaches of the morall law of God, which is common and perpetuall.
And againe, the Apostle reckoning vp many particular sinnes, Galath 5.19.20.21. concludes with these words and such like, thereby implying all other breaches of the morall Law of God.
Obiection Mat. 25.27. Thou oughtest therefore to hauehave put my money to the exchangers, and then at my comming should I hauehave receiued mine owne with aduantage. Christ heere saith the sloathfull seruant should hauehave put forth his Masters money to the exchangers, that his Master at his comming might hauehave receiued his owne with vsurie: and therefore he is so farr from condemning vsurie, as he approues of it.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; Christ there speakes by way of similitude, and his similitude is not to bee pressed further then the purpose