that hath so many and so able strings! But is there no medium betwixt these extreams?
Are there not in the world persons of different Condition, genius, nay humour? Are
there not many by their Education or present Capacity qualified only to live upon Inte∣rest?
Are there not others, who being either affected with thrifty retirement, or enu∣red
to the ease and immunity of good Towns, nay, addicted to special fraternities and
cabales, are so wedded to it, that a sentence of the Spiritual Court would scarce divorce
them? Are there not yet others, who being engaged in Callings and Employments
scarce consistent with Countrey Affairs or Forrain Traffick, may prudently enough
continue to lend at a lower rate, rather then entangle them with such variety of Con∣cernments?
And may there still be good store of those, who meerly guided by their
natural Arithmetick, do now betake themselves to Interest for its many present advan∣tages,
but were the tide and stream of Profit turned, would certainly row and Sayle
with it? He that was sent to discover the strength of the French-Army at Agencourt,
••eturned with this auspicious verdict, that there were enough to Kill, to take, and to
••scape by flight. So were the gain of lending now reduced to a nearer correspondence
with that of other dealings, by the same good omen, it might soon appear, that among
our Legions of Creditours, there would be enough greatly to raise the value of our Lands
••y purchasing; Enough, vastly to agument the bulk of our commerce by Trading, and
••et enough, if not too many to Lend at Interest: However our comfort is, they would
••en, Live, and let Live, this being the principal end herein aimed at, and indeed most
••••portant to the Commonwealth, that such as will not use their own stock, may, (if not
••or private conscience, yet for publick good,) afford a Pennyworth to those that manage
for them, of whom it is certain, that now (in husbandry at least,) not one of twenty
••oth, or can, with his best condu••••, thrive, But in truth this objection of prejudicing
••ebtours, by the sudden and general calling in of sums for better employment, answers it
••elf by granting all that is required: For who sees not, that such a summons necessarily im∣••orts
great store of Purchasing whereby the Market of our Lands would be exceeding
••ickned, all that have Estates to more in value then their debts, abundantly gratified for
••eir trouble, if any they should receive, and enabled to relieve themselves by
••onvenient sale; And the Gentry being this in good measure disenthralled; Bor∣••••wing
would soon become more easie and tolerable to Tradesmen, who now
••••stly complain, that Credit is almost engrossed by Land: Certainly the Notion of rui∣••••ng
Borrowers by abatement of Interest, (if the parties concerned would vouchsafe to
••••nsider it,) is not much unlike that of undoing Tenants by letting them good penny∣••orths,
and punishing Landlords with ease of their Taxes.
It were not unreasonable to suppose, that well-advised Creditours, finding they can∣••••t
mend their rate, liking their security, and naturally both fearing hazard and loath∣••••g
trouble, (perhaps the most of any,) would be as backward to demand their Princi∣••••,
as Borrowers to provide it, since the difficulty of well placing a sum proves commonly
••ow a dayes equal in effect with that of procuring it (So generally do Credit and Secu∣••y
go hand in hand, being, as was said before, perfect Relatives:) Yet to leave nothing
considered, but even, if possible, prevent the doubts of all such as do not either affectedly
••take Scruple for Wisdom, or are naturally afraid of their own shadows, whom miracles
••ly can convince, I refer the unsatisfied to the wise provision and president of former
••tutes for abatement of Interest, whereby the Reducement takes place only in new