Quest. I. May a poor man borrow money, who knoweth that he is unable to repay it, and hath no rational proof that he is very likely to be able hereafter?
Answ. No: unless it be when he telleth the lender truly of his case, and he is willing to run the hazard; else it is mere thievery covered with the cheat of borrowing; for the borrower desireth that of another, which he would not lend him, if he expected it not again; and to take a man's money or goods against his will is robbery.
Object. But I am in great necessity.
Answ. Begging in necessity is lawful; but stealing or cheating is not, though you call it borrowing.
Object. But it is a shame to beg.
Answ. The sin of thievish borrowing is worse than shame.
Object. But none will give me if I beg.
Answ. If they will give but to save your life at the present, you must take it, though they give you not what you would have: the poorest beggar's life is better than the thief's.
Object. But I hope God may enable me to pay hereafter.
Answ. If you have no rational way to manifest the soundness of that hope to another, it is but to pretend faith and hope for thievery and deceit.