The Gentlemans Calling, Section 5

The Gentlemans Calling · Section 5

p. 54SECT. V. Of the second Advantage, Wealth.

1. THe second advantage we are to consider is that of Wealth, which that it is a blessing will I know readily be assented to by all, mens desires and earnest pursuits after it sufficiently evidencing the general esteem is had of it. Yet though the Conclusion be right, it is to be doubted many inferr it not upon due Premises. 'Tis not Riches simply considered, that are the felicity, much less those luxuries, to which they are often made to minister; but they are like to a fertile ground, which if left without culture, none beares so rank weeds, but if rightly husbanded yeilds abundant profit; and thus to manage and improve them is not only the Interest, but the Duty of all those to whom God hath committed them, this being the one designed advantage, for which they were intrusted to them.

2. Several improvements there are, of which they are capable; but before I proceed to them, I must mention one part of duty, as fundamental p. 55to all the rest. And that is the well husbanding of them, not in a figurative, but real sence, the having such a provident care of those goods, and possessions, wherewith God hath blest a Man, as may secure them from that Consumption, to which carelesness and sloth will infallibly betray them. This surely is obligatory in many respects. First, in Thankfulness (I had almost said civility) to God, who having dispenc'd them as a liberality 'tis ingratitude, yea affront to give them no regard. Secondly, in Justice to a mans posterity: He that has received a fair Inheritance from his Ancestors, if he suffer his supine negligence to cut off the Entaile, he defrauds those that were to have succeeded him in it, and becomes that troubler of his own house, to whom Solomon, Prov. 11. 29. assigns no other Inheritance but the Wind, which is indeed all such a person is like to derive upon his issue, the common aire being oftentimes their onelyonly patrimony. Thirdly, in order to all those ends to which Wealth was designed by God, which depend on this, as accidents on their subjects, and so are all at once evacuated and nulled by the dissipating of that wherein they are founded▪ All which considerations, do naturally inforce upon men the necessiy of a prudent managery.

3. This being supposed, and the person having, as in our Law-forms is usual, covenanted to stand seised of the Estate, let us now see p. 56what are the proper uses, to which it is to be limited. In the first place, we may rank that of Contentedness in his portion; which though to one that is set to wrestle with want it might seem a hard precept, yet to him that flows with abundance it might be thought rather a needless then difficult injunction, if experience did not testifie, that contentment is oftentimes as great a stranger in Palaces as Cottages.

4. Of this excellent both vertue and felicity, there are two parts, the one a cheerfull injoyment of so much of his Wealth, as may decently (I say not vainly) support him in that quality wherein he is placed: God does not make Rich men such meer Conduit-pipes of Wealth, that they must pass all, without retaining any thing themselves; but rather like the Earth, which though she conveys the springs through her veins, yet is allowed to suck in so much, as may give her a competent refreshment; and he that does this moderately, and with a thankfull reflection on that liberal Providence, which thus gives him all things richly to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17▪ falsifies no part of his trust, nor abuses his stewardship, this being as it were the allowed sees of his place, a pension allotted him by the bounty of his Lord.

5. The other part of contentment is that, by which the desires are terminated within the bounds of his own possessions; and not suffered p. 57to range wildly into other mens, like Ahabs, into Naboths vineyard, using their Wealth, as Anglers doe their Fish, to bait hooks for more, by making it an Instrument of extorting from others; which is so great a guilt, that it neerly concerns them to secure themselves against it, by a perfect satisfaction in what is properly their own. Nay even in what is said, there is caution to be had, that there be not too eager and vehement endeavors of multiplying it, and that not only by an unlawfull commixture with other mens, which is the sin either of oppression or fraud, but even from its own stock, for that may be covetousness, and is surely a direct opposition to the divine dispensation. For when God hath given a man a full fortune, and by that manumitted him from those carkings and sollicitudes to which needier persons are exposed, for him to make it his grand business to project how he may add to that heap, or in the Prophets phrase lade himself with thick clay, Hab. 2. 6. what is it but the degrading and …ulling himself from that Sphere wherein God hath placed him, a voluntary sale of himself to the Gallies or Mines? In this respect therefore I may not unaptly apply that exhortation which the Apostle makes in another, …al. 5. 1. Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free. Let not him whom God hath by a gracious and peculiar providence exempted from this meaner servitude; p. 58and vassalage to the world, relinquish that so valuable a priviledge, give up his ear to be bored by Mamm…n, when God proclaims … Jubily. Yet 'tis possible the quality of some mens estates may be such, that they may be capable of advancement by a moderate an… easie Industry, such as may no way diver… them from more excellent Imploiments, b… may rather be a recreation then a toil: An… in that case I know no obligation lies on the… so to defie an Improvement, as not to chuse … profitable, before an expensive divertisement to spend those vacant hours upon that, which remain by way of overplus from more worthy designs and entertainments. But the perpetua… follicitous pursuit after more wealth, is certainly a culpable inordinacie, as being inconsistent with that contentment and acquiescence which is the duty of every man for whom God hath thus liberally provided, and such as wi… besides be likely to undermine another main part of his obligation.

6. Such in the next place we are to account the Charitable dispensing of his store, to supply the indigencies of wanting persons; which surely is to be lookt on as the grand and mo… considerable end of his receits. God, who … the common Friend, as well as Father of … men, is not to be imagined so partial, as … provide pomps and luxuries for some, and … the mean time leave others destitute of the necessary supports of life; yet if we look … p. 59deeper then the visible portions of Poor and Rich, there is no evidence of the contrary. But when we examine upon what Conditions and Proviso's that Abundance is conveyed, we shall have no temptation so to asperse or charge God foolishly: For though he have not dispensed so immediately to the Poor, yet he gives them as it were Bills of Assignment upon the plenty of the Rich, a right to be supplied by them: so that the difference seems to be only that of an elder, and younger brethren; the Elder usually carries the bulk of the Estate, but then that is charged with provisions for the younger; and if the quantity of those be not distinctly exprest, but left indefinitely, that act of Trust in the Father lays the greater obligation on him, not to deceive it by too mean and scanty a distribution; for now himself is become a Father to them, and therefore should proportion his bounty by the tenderness and bowels of that most affectionate relation. And this may not improperly be deemed one reason, why among such multitudes of commands of Charity in the Gospel, there is yet none that expresly allots the proportion of our Alms, that by this act of confidence, as it were, men might be obliged to the higher liberality: And he that shall make this incentive to it, a pretence to excuse the want of it, is sure a most criminous perverter of the Divine intention, treacherously countermining Gods sacred arts, as if 'twere not p. 60enough to rebel, unless in a further contempt he assaulted him with his own weapons. Certainly God never designed Lazarus's portion should be made up only of the Crumbs from the table; For though indeed Dives is taxed that he gave him not them yet if he had, such a dole would sure never have rescued him from the place of torment. He who rests in a Rich mans bosom in Heaven, is to have some proportionable treatment from those on Earth, some more hospitable reception then a lying at the gate some better Chyrurgions then Dogs to cure his sores; and those that refuse it him, must be presumed to contemn not only the Lazarus, but the Abraham, yea the Heaven too that receives him, since that which qualifies him for an admittance there, is not able to recommend him to their least regard.

7. I shall not attempt to proportion mens Charities, since God hath not; yet there are some general measures to be made to bound them on the sinking side, that they fall not to too scandalous a lowness; which having been done already by a **Dr. Ham…nd's Practical Catechism.better Pen, I shall refer the Reader thither. But those yet leave mens Compassions full scope to grow up to what greater height Gods grace and mens exigencies shall advance them: And surely the latter may sometimes be such, that it will become every Rich man not only to rifle his coffers, pour out whatsoever his superfluites have there ammassed, but also to defalk much of his own p. 61accustomed enjoyments, cause the Rasor to pass even upon his whole Equipage, to cut off all excrescencies, all exuberant expences, that so the stream may run the fuller in that one channel which Gods providence thus cuts out for it. Whether this may not be a proper season for it, I leave every considering person to judge At the present I shall beseech every man to whom God hath given wealth, sadly to ponder how scandalous a thing it will be for him who has been the Object of so great Bounty, to decline the being an Agent in any; to discover himself to have suckt in nothing of the vertue, amidst such an affluence of the commodities; and to defie the example of that Liberality, by whose effects he lives. But withall let him consider the danger of it also, how dreadful a guilt (and consequently vengeance) he draws upon himself, if he shall defeat this so main end of his receits. It is indeed a complication of many crimes not only against man, but God also: I shall instance only in two, most generally decried, and yet most eminently contained in it, Unthankfulness, and Falsness.

8. God in his wisdom discerning that Equality of Conditions would breed confusion in the world, has ordered several states, design'd some to Poverty, others to Riches; onelyonly annexing to the rich the care of the poor; yet that rather as an advantage, then a burden, a seed of more wealth both temporal p. 62and eternall. Now in this division of men, those on whom he hath caused the better lot to fall, can owe it to nothing but his gracious disposal; and therefore had bin certainly obliged to submit to any the most difficult tasks he should have dispenc'd with it. But now that in his great indulgence he has so tempered the command, as to render it not an allay, but an enhancement of the mercy, he that gives it only a bare tastless compliance, betraies himself to want a just sence of it, but he that flatly resists it, is in the most transcendent degree, barbarously ingrate. Nay I think I might have laid the charge higher, and called it malice; for what beneath that can provoke a man thus to resist his duty and interest together?

9. Nor is this all, 'tis also the greatest Perfidiousness: Every rich man is, as I said before, Gods Steward, and particularly intrusted to provide for the indigent parts of his family, such are the poor and needy. Now if he leave them destitute, and suffer either his riot or covetousness to feed upon their Portions, what more detestable falseness can be committed, not only in respect of them, whose right he thus invades, but of God also, whose trust he abuses? Many other enormities there are in Uncharitableness, which as so many misshapen limbs concur to the making up this deformed Monster; but I shall suppose it sufficient to have pointed out these two, which being the most profestly contrary to ingenuity, I must p. 63hope will carry a very averting appearance …o those who so especially pretend to that quality.

10. To this positive part of duty, the being …ich in good works, we find the Apostle connects … negative. 1 Tim. 6. 17. Charge them that …e rich in this world that they be not high-minded, …or trust in uncertain riches: And we need not resort to implicite faith in the Author, to perswade us of the great propriety and fitness of these cautions; 'tis too evident that Pride and Confidence are diseases, that usually breed in …ull and opulent fortunes, and as they spring from the same root, so do they, like neighboring branches, mutually shelter, and support one another. He that is high-minded, abhorres the submission of any foreign dependance, and therefore gladly anchors on any thing he …an call his own; and thinking his wealth most properly so, he has as great an aptness, as holy Job expresses an aversion, to make gold his …pe, and to say to the fine gold, thou art my confidence, Job. 31. 24. On the other side, he that trusts in his Wealth, is by that fortified in his pride. It is Aristotles observation, that wealth makes contumelious and insolent; which I presume lie inferrs not only from experience, but reason also; for the groundwork of humility being the sence of impotence and defect, he that assumes a self sufficiency, undermines that foundation, and in stead of it laies the Basis of the quite contrary temper, all haughtiness and p. 64elation of mind. A memorable, example of this we have in the insolent reflections of Nebuchadnezar, Dan. 4. 30. which had withall so dismal a consequent, as me thinks should like Lots wife remain a perpetual monument to deter others from all approaches towards the like vanity.

11. And certainly it is a most important concernment of rich men, to fence themselves against this double temptation; to which purpose they can hardly find a more compleat armor, then what they may borrow from one short sentence of the Apostle, 1 Cor. 4. 7. What hast th… that thou hast not received? Let them look on themselves as meer receivers, and then with what pretence can they pride themselves in that wherein they are barely passive; Nay indeed if it be throughly scann'd, these receits imply cause rather of shame then boasting; the being filled from anothers hand, is a sure argument (and tacite reproach) of a natural and original emptiness; and if God have dealt, so liberally with them, they may collect 'tis in compliance not with their merits, but infirmities; his having made them rich is a strong presumption, he saw them not prepared to be innocently poor: And sure Pride must be a subtile Alchimist, that can hence extract matter of vanity, and might with equal logick have perswaded the Jews to glory in those indulgences, which were granted them only for the hardness of their hearts.

p. 6512. In like manner if they reflect on their riches as received, it renders them also a most unfit object of trust; for if they were given, they may also be taken away. We hold all by that old tenure, which the Lawyers stile Alodium, because it is from none but God; and his gifts (of this kind at least) are never so absolute, as to exclude power of revocation. He then that enjoys a thing not upon right but bounty, must ask his benefactor how farr he is to presume on it: And if they would do so in this case, they would soon be resolved how little confidence were to be reposed in Wealth. They may hear God the great Patron tell them by Solomon, that riches make themselves wings and fly away as an eagle, Pro. 23. 5. by Christ, that the Treasures which they lay up here are liable to the Moth and r…st, and Theeves; and by the Apostle, that they are uncertain riches. Nay indeed if they would but ask themselves their own daily experience and observation, that would beare the same testimony; Every day almost gives some renewed instance of it. What multitudes of accidents are there to which mens goods are liable? a rough Winde, a tempestuous Sea sinks at once the Merchant and his ship; an ill season, a hungry soyle eats out the Husbandman; and they who run not either of these hazards, those whom neither the water nor the earth swallow up, a fire may yet consume. And can there any security be fanci'd in that p. 66wealth, which is thus a prey to each element single, and yet more often to them united in man, to whose frauds or violences more have owed their impoverishing, then to any of the former accidents. And now what greater infatuation can there be, then to place a trust on that which is so fleeting and unsteady, to lean on a broken reed, or in Solemons phrase to set ones eyes upon that which is not?

13. But if by an impossible supposition, we should imagine Riches to be as Permanent, as they are indeed transitory, yet unless they had as well Strength as constancy, they could with no reason be depended on. He that staies by his friend to the last minute, if he have no power to assist him, is onelyonly a spectator, not a reliever of his sufferings: And alas, how many miseries are men subject to, in which wealth can give them no aid! Is a man afflicted in his body with paine, the Indies are not a competent price for a minutes ease, an hours sleep; Is he persecuted in his Name with reproach, 'tis not whole Ingots of gold that will stop the mouth of Fame, nay oftentimes the obloquy is it self meerly the progeny of his wealth, that breeding envy, and envy detraction. But if the sore lie yet deeper. if it be the Soule that suffers, that is yet farther removed from possibility of relief this way; If it suffer as a slave under the dominion of sin, no treasure can redeem from that vassalage: Wealth does indeed too often by administring temptations p. 67strengthen those chains, but it cannot break them, as appears too evidently by the number of such rich bondmen. If it groan under the guilt of sin, labor under the terrors of an accusing Conscience, alas gold is no balm to a wounded spirit: the luxuries which that has supported may help to pierce, but it has no power to heal. Or lastly, if the soul fall finally under the punishment of sin, there is no commuting that pennance, buying off that smart; Riches abused may indeed swell the accompt, and multiply the stripes, but they can never bribe the remission of any. The Wise-man hath assured us this, Pro. II. 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath. Nor does this carry any opposition to the councel of our Saviour Luke 16. 9. of making friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness; for he refers not there to any natural or inherent property of riches, but only to that extrinsick and accidental advantage may be made of them, proportionably to what was said before of the unjust Steward whose dexterous managery was it that rendred his Lords debts so usefull to him, not that they had any proper innate vertue to secure him from the necessity either of begging or diging; and therefore we see Christs words run not in an Annunciative, but an exhortatory stile, He tels us not that Mammon shall make us friends, but excites us to make that our own care, and by a prudent disposure to make it subservient to an end above its native efficacy; p. 68But all this is sure very reconcileable with that natural impotency we have observed in it: wealth charitably disposed may have excellent effects, but yet those are to be ascribed to the charity, not the wealth, which still remains in its own essence the same unactive lump in the Chest that it was in the Mine, like the heathen Deities unable to protect its most zealous Idolaters; as a further instance whereof I may add that which will Sound very like riddle, That riches cannot deliver even from present Want; which yet is demonstrably true in all those rich Misers, whose bellies are lank, while their coffers are full, a sort of Tantalized creatures, not peculiar only to this latter age, for we find them described by Solomon, Eclesiastes 6. 2. A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth and honor, so that he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof. So unsignificant a thing is wealth, that without the addition of a new power it enables him not to receive the least benefit from it.

14. When all this is considered, what is there in wealth that can invite the least confidence, since it appears so utterly unable to secure men in their most important interests, nay to do that which it most immediatly and most colourably pretends to, the keeping them from want. And therefore he that will not run himself upon that sad defeat of being disappointed in his trusts, failed in his greatest exigents, p. 69must look out for some firmer ground whereon to build. But alas, our soil affords it not: Al here below was long since pronounced by one that wanted neither wisdom nor experience, to be Vanity; such mutations and vicissitudes attend all sublunary things, that he that attempts to erect any durable satisfaction on them, outdoes the folly of that absurd architect Christ mentions, and builds not on the sand, but water; and in this sense the world is still under a deluge, not so much dry ground, as where a dove may rest her foot.

15. We are then driven by way of necessary refuge, to that which should be our voluntary choice, to come home to the Ark to shelter our selves under his wings, where alone we may securely rest, and according to the advice which the Apostle subjoins to these cautions, to trust in the living God. And to do this amidst all the seducements of Wealth, to see through all those mists which the fumes of Plenty raise, and whilst they enjoy the gift, to confide only in the Giver, is indispensably the duty, and should be the care of every one, to whom S. Paul directs this charge, All that are rich in this world.

16. And such in the last place are to take notice of another branch of their obligation, and that is to use that advantage which their Wealth gives them, towards the exercise of Temperance; which indeed can never be known to be truly such, but when there are p. 70opportunities and temptations to the contrary. He that hath nothing wherewith to maintain a Riot, leaves it doubtful both to others and himself, whether his Abstinences be the effects of Poverty or Temper; but he that has all the suel for Luxury, and yet permits it not to kindle, he approves his Sobriety to be indeed his Choice, not his fate. And this is a most excellent priviledge of Wealth; and though 'tis to be doubted it scarce finds room in most of our Catalogues, yet certainly it merits a principal place, as being much the greatest of all those, which reflect only upon the Person himself. This resisting of Temptations, is truly that Heroique courage worthy of those that pretend to Honor, fit to denominate…a Gallant man: I wish those who seek that reputation by many rash and unwarrantable Adventures, would here entertain their youthful Ardors, this being a Field where they may be assured never to want Combatants. One while Gluttony presents it self, armed with the allurements of a full and delicate Table; and though one would think him but a despicable Assailant, that has only the Kitchin for his armory, yet experience shews us, those edgless weapons may vie with the keenest, for the mortalness of their effects. At another time Drunkenness sends a Challenge by delicious Liquor, cheerful and diverting Company, and that not without menace of infamy to him, who shall own so much p. 71religious cowardise, as to fear to hazard his Sobriety in the encounter. Sometimes again Lust attaques him with the piercing darts, the killing glances of a prostitute Beauty. In the mean time Pride, the most flie and treacherous of all the rest, is perpetually laying ambushes for him in the adorations of his Flatterers, the vanity of his Attire, and innumerable kinds of Excesses. And now what Knight-Errant would wish for more Encounters? or why should men range abroad to invite Quarrels, whilst they tamely suffer such Troops of enemies to bid them daily defiance? 'Tis, they say, a Maxim among the Swordmen, That he that has once been baffled, is ever after an incompetent Challenger: I wish it might have this one sober application, That men would suspend all other Duels, till they have righted themselves on their Vices, and by some signal Conquests redeemed themselves from that obloquy and defamation, which these mean, yet insulting Adversaries have exposed them to.

17. Having shewed what uses are duly to be made of Wealth, let us now look back, and consider whether any of them be ordinarily discernible in Practice. And here we shall meet with one sort of men, who stumble at the very threshold, that fail in that first part of duty, on which all the rest depend: I mean those who by a supine negligence suffer their Estates to moulder and consume insensibly, p. 72for want of an easie inspection and oversight. Of such as these former Ages have afforded instances, and doubtless the present also, though the number of the luxurious wasters do now so overwhelm them, that they are the less discernible. And though this seem to be the effect only of sloth, yet certainly there are other concurrents to it, generally these two: First such an overweening of their wealth, that they think it Inexhaustible; And secondly an opinion that it is a mean and peasantly thing for a Gentleman to give himself the trouble of looking after his fortune. The motives are too ridiculous to deserve a confutation; but in the mean time it cannot but extort pity, to see Families ruined by such vain whimsies: And what tolerable account can such a Parent give to his begger'd Offspring, to whom 'tis very likely he may propagate the pride and sloth which made the meer managery of an Estate too hard for him, and yet withall bequeaths them the sadder toil of getting one? Nay, what account can he give to God, from whom he received it, in order to several ends, if he thus at once defeat them all? 'Twas a Command to the Jews, that they should not cut down Fruit-trees, though it were for so necessary a use as to advance a Siege, Deut. 20: 19. But this is the hewing down that Stock, from which so much good Fruit should spring, and that without any pretence either of necessity or reason.

p. 7318 Our next view will present us with another sort of person, who as much transgresses the duty of Contentedness in both the parts of it. 'Tis no prodigie to see men, whom God hath afforded the portion of the rich, scarce to allow themselves that of the poor; so letting their eye be evil even to themselvs, because Gods is good. The Egyptians were such jealous Reverers of those Creatures which they worship'd, that he that violated them was in danger of stoning, Ex. 8. 26. So these men who have set up their Wealth for their God, pay it so much veneration, that as they are impatient to have it invaded by others, so they are afraid to offer the least violence to it themselves; they have Inshrined it to receive their adorations, and it is now become sacrilege (indeed the onelyonly one they scruple) to debase it to the supply of their necessities: They are strange austerities which the Votaries of this Deity will endure, even beyond the mortifications of the most rigid Ascetick, their whole lives are a perpetual contradiction to all the appetites of Nature; yet alas, that inferrs here no compliance with those of Grace, but as if they meant to set up a Third party in the world, they equally oppose these. And now he that thus oppresses himself, no wonder if he do the like to others, if he extort the utmost that either power or fraud can wring from any. And that this work may not be retarded, he is provided of variety of instruments for it. Sometimes p. 74Bribery must give him a legal colour to rob his neighbor; or if a Witness prove a better penniworth then the Judge, Subornation shall do the business. Sometimes Extortion shall prey upon a needy Creditor, and that not only with the flower gnawings of the Canker, but with the more ravenous devourings of the Vulture. Sometimes the Rack is brought out, and a poor Tenant fastned on it, and there so streined and distorted, that he can never knit again to any competent subsistence. Sometimes again a poor neighboring Prodigal shall be spurred on to farther riot, fed with money, that so by a forfeited Mortgage he may seise on his Estate. In a word, 'twere endless to reckon up all the engines of rapine which this greedy Invader hath in his magazine; and of such a one I presume every man will pronounce, that he notoriously violates the precept of Contentedness.

19. But though this be the grossest, yet is he not the onelyonly Transgressor; there is also another more plausible sort, who though they do not thus seek to increase their wealth at other mens costs, yet do it too much at their own; whose Brains are meer forges of Projects, perpetually hammering out some new Contrivance for gain, that continually travel in birth of some fresh Improvement, suffer all the pangs and throws of a carking sollicitude in pursuit of it. I know this piece of Covetousness hath better luck then the rest, and p. 75passes for a creditable thing, under the specius name of Good husbandry; but sure if it be broughly penetrated, it will appear no less op…osite to Contentment then the former. Nor …n that guilt be evaded by those that say, they …eek to advance their Fortunes, not out of the …isers design of hoarding up, but out of the …ore generous purpose of living more splen…idly; for sure he that covets more to spend, … as little contented in his portion, as he that …ovets more to lay up; he that thinks his Table …oo scanty, his equipage too low, is as far …rom being satisfied, as he that thinks his land …oo little, his bag too empty; so that 'tis apparent these arrowes come out of the same quiver, though they be shot at several marks

20. And between both these motives of gri…ing, no wonder if the duty of Almes giving …e crouded into a very narrow compass. That excellent vertue of Charity has indeed much of the Image and impress of Christ upon it, …ut the world has given it a further kind of conformity with him then he ever design'd, its …rucifixion between Covetousness and Luxury, being the counterpart of his hanging between the Theeves; there wants only one member of the parallel, the breaking the legs of these Malefactors, which God knows our Soldiers, …ay many Armies of them have not bin able to do The many instances these times have given of the sudden dissipation of mens Idolized …eaps, have not yet so disciplin'd the Worldling, p. 76as to perswade him to lay up his trea… in heaven; and the loud calls of God to we… ing and mourning and girding with sackcl… have most preposterously been ecchoed b… with the louder noise of mens revellings, a… wild jollities. And then they who thus desp… the judgements of God, are very unlikely compassionate the miseries of men, and I do… there are many who thus answer the charac… of the unjust Judge, Luc. 18. that neither fear G… nor regard man, nay that far outgo him in inex… rableness of temper: he was to be wrought upo… by importunity; but so petrified are these me… bowels, that no prayers nor teares can dissol… them. 'Tis a much easier task to dig Metal o… of its native Mine, then to fetch it out of t… covetous mans Coffer; the Earth, though s… hide, yet she guards not her treasure, 'tis a… cessible to the industry of any that will sear… for it, but he like an Argus stands centinel abo… his, and sounds an alarm upon the remot… appearance of a poor suppliant; with wh… jealousie does he eye any that he can but fan… to come upon that ungratefull errand, and th… how many arts has he to prevent the assaul… Or if by some extraordinary Charm all hi… eyes have so slept at once, that he happen to … surprised, yet he has so many weapons of d… fence, that the assailant shall gain little b… it, but the shame of an open repulse, bein… sure to find him impregnable. As for the Voluptuary he has so many expensive lusts to main p. 77tain, that he has difficulty enough how to gra…ie all them in the distribution of his wealth; …ey are competitors to each other, yet joine … keep out that which would be a common one … them all. He that grudges not the wildest …ofusions on his wealth, yet thinks an Alms …ill undoe him; 'tis the grand business of his …e to contrive waies of expence, yet when …y object of charity presents one, he becomes …rifty on the sudden, like the Sensitive plant …rinks at that touch, and that open hand of …is clutches as fast, as if some convulsion had …ontracted it. Thus totally have men forgot …pon what terms their wealth was given them, …nd thereby like miserable Chymists, extract …oyson out of Cordials, a Curse out of a Blessing. Riches were designed by God to …e subservient to that Compassion which he …as implanted in humane nature, but now …hey are become the meanes of suppressing and …radicating it; Rich men look upon poore, …s if they were creatures of another species, …hings wherein they were perfectly unconcer…ed. 'Tis Strada's fancy, that there is such a sympathy raised between two Needles touched by the same Loadstone, that persons at the greatest distance may by the consent of their motion maintain a correspondency: I shall not undertake for the truth of the Experiment, but however methinks 'tis matter of reproach to us, that these inanimate creatures should have so much observable accord, as to give pretence p. 78for such a conjecture, whilst men who have so many undoubted principles of union both from nature and grace, have quite extinguisted all effects of them. That too many have so, there needs no other evidence then the many unsuccour'd extremities of the Poor: For how else can it become possible, that one rank of men should gluttonize, and another starve? that he that thinks it death to endure either the want or moderation of a Meal, should never consider what are the gripings of the still empty stomach; that he should without all regret see his own humane nature pining and languishing in the person of his poor brother, whilst in himself 'tis opprest with the quite contrary excesses, and might be relieved in both by a more equal distribution?

21. And now who can sufficiently deplore, the wants of the Poor, shall I say, or rather the inhumanity of the Rich! This surely is the sadder spectacle of the two; the one only suffers, the other sins; and that suffering too may end in eternal refreshment, whereas the other in endless torment. Lazarus rests in Abrahams bosom, when the uncharitable Glutton frie… in perpetual flames: And oh that this were throughly weighed, that they would consider that every degree of unmercifulness they shew to others, reverts with a rebounded force upon themselves! Alas, 'tis not so much the poor mans body, as their own souls, that sue for p. 79their alms; And whenever they shut up their …owels of compassion from the one, what do …hey but foreign, seal up Gods store…uses and treasuries from the other? when …hey deny the …rumbs from their table, they …eny themselves a drop of water to cool their …ngues.

22. But I fear this of Illiberality may pass …or a moderate crime in this Age, when so …any are guilty of another so far transcending …. For do we not see divers, who instead of …bating their Excesses to relieve the Poor, do …aintain their Riot upon them? If the despe…ate Debts of poor Tradesmen were examined, … doubt not this would appear a sad truth; 'tis become so fashionable a thing to run into …cores, and so unfashionable to pay them, that …e is scarce thought well bred, that has not bankrupted one at least of each Trade he deals with: Their only care is to get credulous Merchants, who so long as they trust stoutly shall have fair words, but if once their faith …ail, then, as if the Solifidian doctrine had stretcht it self into Traffique as well as Divinity, they are pronounced Reprobates, and as sollicitously avoided as the Separatist shuns … person whom he is pleased to call carnal: Posterns and obscure passages are contrived, …on purpose to escape them; so that a poor Creditor must give many days, nay moneths attendances, before he can so surprise a Gentleman, as to come but to ask his own; and then p. 80the best return he usually meets with, is some empty Promises, to bribe a delay; but sometimes he fares much worse, and as if 'twere a crime not to starve silently, he is reviled and reproached, and harsh and contumelious language become his onelyonly paiment It has been received as a Maxim, That we are all kinde to our own creatures: But this case shews 'tis no universal rule; for those who thus make poor men, are of all others the most barbarous to them in their poverty. But let those who thus shuffle off their Reckonings with men, remember that there will come a day, when they shall not be able to decline their Accompt to God; And with what horror and confusion must they appear at that Audit, when they shall be charged not only with the mispending their own estates, but other mens, the having added Robbery to unmercifulness?

23. If in the next place we shall reflect on the Apostles caution of not being high-minded or trusting in uncertain riches, we must turn to our Bibles to be satisfied there was ever any such charge given, there is so little of it to be read in mens practices. Humility is a plant, that is carefully weeded out of all rich grounds, accounted a mean degenerous quality, that like Treason attaints the blood, and sorfeits Nobility. Gentlemen, though they are for the most part very guiltless of the Pharisees abstinence, the fasting twice a week, do yet p. 81transcribe the worse part of his copy, the thinking they are not like other men; and believe it a justice they owe their birth to do so: They have mounted themselves aloft, and looking down from those pinacles of Honor, all below seem little and contemptible, creeping things of the earth, worms and no men. I am not so for confounding of Qualities, as to exact they should choose their Intimates and Companions out of the lowest rank; I know prudence as well as pride has drawn a Partition-wall between them (though perhaps the later has raised it to an unncessary height) but I wish it might be remembred, that as the precept of Not eating Blood was designed not for its self, but as a hedge against Murder, so that just distance which order recommends between the Noble and the mean, is valuable only as a fence against base and ignoble practices, true greatness consisting in despising not the persons, but the vices of the vulgar; Yet here alas the sence is quite changed, and many who look the most fastidiously on the one, will yet mix freely with the other; and while they so are the highest in the opinion of their superiority, do yet stoop to the sordid bestialities of the most abject of men, Nay, indeed this lure does sometimes make many of them descend even from their punctilioes, and those who at another meeting must have lookt for no other treatment but what St. James describes, Ia. 2. 3. stand thou there or fit here under p. 82my foot-stoole, shall in the rounds of good fellowship be equal with the best, such a Leveller is debauchery, that it takes off all distinctions. But in the mean time how great a shame is it, that such vicious motives shall have force enough to make them thus degrade themselves, when all the Engagements of Christianity are not able to do that which is much less to abate any thing of those tumors those swelling conceits of their own greatness, or (in the Psalmist… phrase) to make them know themselves to be but Men.

24. Nor has the other branch of the caution any better success among them; 'Tis in many of them too discernible, that they place that trust in uncertain …iches, which they should repose only in the living God, so making his gifts his rivals, and raising him a competitor even of his own bounty, For this we need no other waies of probation, then only to examine, whither it is, that in any case of difficulty or distress they make their earliest and most importunate addresses, for there we may conclude them to fix the greatest confidence. And I feare 'tis too apparent, that where wealth makes but any the slightest pretences, promises the least aid, though but remote, and at the second hand, it has most of their applications. Thus in case of Disease, they whose plenty enables them for the costlier methods of cure, is not their first resort thither, do not their Fees fly faster then their Prayers? p. 83and are they not much hastier to invite the Physitian, then the Divine! Nay, indeed the latter is scarce ever admitted, till the former have forsaken them, a shrew'd indication, where their prime hopes are built; so again in any disastrous event, the first essay is whither money will heale the wound; He that is under the displeasure of a Superior, seeks to appease by presents or buyes the friendship of a Blastus, Acts. 12. 20. to mediate for him; He that is brought before a Tribunal, endeavors with the same golden Engine to draw off his Prosecutor, to bend and incline his Judge; He whose Wealth makes him pursued as a desireable prey, expects his safety even from that which is the original of his danger; and as if like a Scorpion it alone could cure its own sting, tries whether a part will secure the whole. And in the mean time no attempt is made to call in God to their rescue, as if he were an idle unconcern'd spectator of humane affairs, or so inconsiderable an Ally, as not to be worth the care of engaging him on their side. Nay even in their last and dreadfullest danger, many seem not to quit their dependance on their wealth, some Testamentary charities must then do wonders for them, and pass for all those fruits of repentance, which should secure them from the wrath to come; Even those that have drunk the blood of the poor, suffered the most of it to incorporate into their Estates, think by disgorging some p. 84small part of it (which perhaps lies crude, not yet so digested) in a Legacy to ease their consciences, so adapting their restitutions to their rapines, only in this one respect, that those as well as these are of another mans goods; they never commencing, till death hath disseized them of all propriety, as if the iniquity of the Fathers were in this sence to be visited upon the Children. Thus their Wills become their only pass-port, to convey them to Abrahams bosom, and by thus cajoling the poor at parting, they trust to extinguish the clamors of all former oppressions, and in spight of Solomon will hope, that Riches shall profit in the day of wrath. It will not here be pertinent to inquire how many other objects of trust they have, which divert them from that one, to which the Apostle directs them. It may suffice in general to say, that none can be supposed indeed to trust on the living God, but those who by sincere piety qualifie themselves for his protection; according to which measure 'tis to be feared many even of the fairest pretenders will be excluded.

25. If now we proceed to the last part of the Rich mans Duty, the exercise of Temperance, we may without an Augur divine the return of that Inquest; For it having formerly appeared, that they turn that stream which should flow in Charity, to make the fuller current for their Luxury, 'tis visible they are far from designing any self-denial. But if that inference p. 85were not proof enough of it, they daily give us ocular demonstrations: What studious provisions do they make for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof? Rom. 13. 14. Nature affords not Meat delicate enough for their palats, it must be adulterated with the costly mixtures of Art, before it can become Gentile nourishment; and in this they are arrived to such a niceness, that Cookery is become a very mysterious trade, the Kitchin has almost as many intricacies as the Schools. And the quantity of their meat is not less extravagant then the kind; One that did but examine their Bills of fare, would think the Dogs appetite were the epidemick disease among them, if he did not consider they had Eyes to be fed as well as bellies. Nor will they be so Ununiform, as not to have their Drink bear a full proportion with their Meat; and 'twere well if it did no more, that their Drinking had but those set hours of their Meals, that so there might be at least some intervals and pauses in their Debauches, whereas now many persons allow themselves no longer intermissions then may just qualifie them for a new Excess; recover their wits only so far, as may put them in capacity of losing them again.

26. But besides these, there is another sort of provision for the flesh, of which they are no less sollicitous, and which many buy in at very dear rates: The embraces of a Wife are as nauseous to them, as Manna to the Israelites; p. 86'tis Variety they hunt after; and so they might have the Turks Sevaglio, they would not stick to take his Mahomitanism withall; Nay if that were as agreeable to their reason to believe, as to their inclinations to imbrace, they would certainly reckon it a considerable part of the prise, as that which to the present possession superadds a liberal reversion of those brutish delights, and would think they had made a very commodious bargain, to have so exchanged the Christians present purity, and future heaven.

27. To all these excesses, that of their Apparel does perfectly correspond; so much cost, so much business goes to it, that one may almost as cheaply and easily rig out a Ship, as set out a Gentleman in his compleat Equipage. How many Artificers go there to the peecing him up! He that should assign him one to each Limb, would much contract the number, which is indeed so great, that if it were computed 'twould be found it constituted most of the Trades in a Commonwealth. A strange disproportion, that the Little world should so much outvie the Greater; and a lively instance it is of the multiplying faculty of Vanity, that can improve Natures simple necessity of covering, to such an exorbitant excess, and has nurst up the first Fig-leaves to such a luxuriant growth, that the Hercynian Oaks which Mela tells such wonders of, are but a kind of Pigmyplant to them that thus overspread the world, p. 87and from covering of Shame, are grown to shadow and darken Reason it self, so creating a Moral nakedness, whilst they hide a Natural.

28. To all the rest we may add their Sports and Recreations, the expensiveness whereof is no way inferior to all the former: Gaming, like a Quicksand, swallows up a man in a moment; and how many such Wrecks have these latter Ages produced? Hawks, and Hounds, and Horses, &c. are somwhat slower devourers, yet as they are manag'd by some, tend much to the same end: So that methinks such men seem to make the same menace to their Estates, which Goliah did to David, 1 Sam. 17 44. I will give thee to the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Such vast numbers of them they have and those kept with such niceness and curiosity, as if they had a designe to debauch the poor animals, and infect them with their luxury. 'Tis now no news in the literal sense, to have the Childrens bread given to Dogs; and it may within a while be as …ittle, to have not only their children, but themselves want it: For Prodigality is of the nature of the Viper, and eats out the bowels of that Wealth which gave it birth; and Actaeon's fate was both Emblem and Story, to be eaten up with his Dogs

29. We have seen now how much their Practice swerves from their Duty: Let us next a little consider, whether they might not be p. 88happier, if they were regulated by it. And first, a prudent oversight of their Estates is sure far from being such an oppressing burden as some are willing to fancy it: For if it be moderate, and such only I recommend, it is supposed to exclude all painful and disquieting sollicitudes, and then it becomes only of the nature of a Divertisement, helps them off with some of those spare hours, whose emptiness becomes their load, and which they would else be in pain, and probably at no small cost to dispose of. And I see not why it should not be full as pleasant at the instant, to talk of their own affairs, as of other mens, (which yet are the usual entertainment of those that neglect their own;) to take up Accompts at home, as Reckonings at the Tavern: And I am sure 'tis much more so in the consequences of it, as much as peace is above discord and tumult, plenty above indigence and necessity.

30. Next for Contentment, universal consent superadds the labor of proving that a happiness, it being unanimously accorded to be the Elixar and quintessence of all that pretends to that title; to be to all these outward things, as the soul is to the body, that which animates and inspirits them, without which they are but dead, yea noisome carcasses, pressures instead of enjoyments. This is the true Philosophers stone, that turns all it touches into gold; the poor man is Rich with it, and p. 89the Richest poor without it. Whoever therefore desires to improve his estate, let him begin his culture or husbandry upon his mind, plant there this Tree of life, the shade whereof will yeeld him a perpetual refreshment, 'twill make him alwaies as Rich as he desires to be; and he certainly knows not what he asks, that demands more.

31. The next duty, that of Liberality, may perhaps be thought not to have so amiable an aspect; but it is only by those who look upon it through false Glasses: men generally consider it as a peece of spiritual rapine, an Engine framed by Divines to force open their Coffers, and plunder them without a War: but if they would but turn the right end of the perspective, 'twould then have a quite contrary appearance, they would discern that it is the means to multiply, not diminish their store, a more profitable way of usury, then any the greediest extortioner hath ever found out. 'Tis a lending to the Lord. Prov. 19. 17. who surely is the most solvent Debtor any can deale with, and one who never makes scanty retributions. This I am confident might be attested eventually true by all those who have attempted to make the experiment; the only prejudice that can lie against their Testimony is the paucity of those that have so attempted (and would to God men would conspire to solve that objection) for were all charitable persons summon'd to give in their accompts, I doubt not p. 90it would appear their bounty had enriched not impoverished them I am sure I have met with severall remarkable instances of it, but never yet with one to the contrary, and therefore if either reason or president may have force, he that considers but rightly his own temporal Interest, cannot but have appetite to this Duty, in respect of himself. And yet where there are any bowels, this is but a faint inducement compared with that which arises from the calamities of the persons to be relieved, The wants of the Poor are loud and passionate Orators, such as cannot miss to work upon any, on whom covetousness hath not first wrought the unhappy Metamorphisis, of turning them into stone; and these having once conveyed into a mans mind a compassionate regret, himself groanes under that pressure, which he sees crushing the other, and then what can be more pleasant then by a seasonable charity to ease both. None doubts of the Receivers delight, but sure that is short of the Givers, by how much the interior sence is more subtile and acute then the exterior; would God those who make it their trade to hunt after pleasures, would try but this One peece of Epicurisme, and then I doubt not, they would acknowledg that all meat is insipid, compared with that, which they eate with the poor mans mouth; the most splendid apparel sordid and inglorious, in respect of that they were upon his back; and all pleasures and recreations joyless and uneasie, ballanced p. 91with those transcendent delights, which attend the exercise of Christian liberality.

32. Nor have they in the next place any reason to suspect the Apostle treacherous to their present interest, when he seeks to dispoyle them of that either Pride, or confidence, which their riches are apt to create. For the former 'tis certain all haughty persons may very properly interrogate themselves in that forme, we find Wis. 5. 8. What hath Pride pr…fited us, or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? It would surely puzle the most experienced man to define what there is in Pride, that can afford any felicity; The utmost that can be pretended is that it is a lively cheerful thing to have good thoughts of ones self, but he that can in earnest make this plea for Pride, does in justice owe as fair an encomium to Bedlam, for according to this measure that contains the happiest people, there being those, that are the most highly rapt in the opinion of their own excellencies Yet sure we should judge him in good Election for the place, that should look upon it with appetite. But admit this might indeed pass for a pleasure, yet it is the parent of a far greater uneasiness, and like a carcass breeds a worm, that devours it self; For he that looks on himself with such reverence, exacts that all others should do so too, and when he fails in that aime (as none so frequently does, as the proud) what disquiets and impatiencies is he under, such as infinitely overwhelm p. 92all the pleasure of his vain complacencies; A little disrespect from Mordecai is able to evacuate all Hamans prosperity; such a cheat and impostor is Pride, that whilst it pretends to exalt, it debases whilst it elevates a man above others, it really subjects him to them, puts him in their power to torment and cruciate, and whilst it makes shew of advancing, 'tis but in the same manner that the Rack extends the stature by dislocating the joynts. And then I hope 'twill be no unfriendly office to perswade men, to keep themselves from that engine of pain, or to recommend to them such an humility of mind, as may preserve them in that security and composedness, which is fundamentally necessary to all true happiness.

33. The very same judgement is to be made of the other branch of the caution, the not trusting in uncertain riches, but in the living God, which is most visibly every mans present concernment, he that can entertain a doubt of it, let him but fall into the hands of some treacherous or but impotent person, that shall in some important affairs betray his trust, or deceive his hopes, and then let him tell me whether it be not a mans immediate and most pressing interest, to build his confidences on the rock, not on the sand. Nothing but the amazing exigencies of a sinking man, can excuse the folly of catching at reeds; but he that should deliberately elect such supporters, would be p. 93thought as mad, as he is sure to be miserable. Yet this is but the faint and imperfect emblem of him who rests upon his wealth, whereas on the other side he that shelters himself under the shadow of the Almighty, is possest of a most inexpugnable fortress; for how can he faile of security, that has Omnipotence for his guard, or be deluded in his trusts, that depends on Truth it self? Let these so distant states be compared, and then sure I shall not need to anticipate any mans judgement, but may leave him to pronounce on which side his Interest, as well as Duty lies in this particular.

34. Lastly, Temperance also puts in her claim to Pleasure, which I presume those will be sure to resist, who place that wholly in the satisfaction of the sensuall appetite; yet I beleeve one might take even these men in such a season, when they should be forced to give up their verdict for it. Come to the Glutton when he is laboring under the load of an overcharged stomack; to the Drunkard when his mornings qualm is revenging on him his last nights debauch; to the lustfull person, when the torment of his bones admonish him of the sins of his flesh, and then ask them whether Temperance be not more pleasant then its contrary. I can scarce think the Devil has any such stout Confessors, but will then betray his cause. But this vertue is in it self too amiable to need any of these foyles to illustrate it; the pleasure of subduing a lust, of denying an appetite, p. 94is not only nobler, but greater then any is to be had in the most transporting moment of satisfing them. Every man will call him a bruit, that when an Enemy is in the field loses the opportunity of a glorious victory, and exposes himself to certain Captivity, rather then forsake his liquor, or other sordid pleasure. And this is just the decision of the present case, our lusts are our mortallest Enemies, and every time they assault us, 'tis in our choice either by resisting them to gain a signal conquest, or else by stooping to those despicable cures they hold out to us, to be vanquished by them He that chuses the last, if he have any shadow of pleasure, 'tis only that of a Beast, (like a horse who though he hath indeed the satisfaction of receiving meat, yet he also takes the bridle, yea the whip too from the same hand) 'Tis the former only, that is the pleasure of a man, which I suppose sufficient to evince to which the difference belongs, for sure none can think God hath been so unkind to his own image in humane nature; as in the dispensation of felicity to assign the larger share to the Bruits. And therefore in this particular as well as the rest we may conclude, that he is not only the most pious but the most happy person, that makes the right uses of his wealth.