A Christian Library, Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII.
AND so much of the tenth plague which God inflicts upon the miserly muck-worm; I might give you many more, for almost every thing becomes a deadly snare to such men, even every thing they see or hear of, each thought that comes into their minds, yea the very Word of God, the mercy of God, and the merits of Christ, become their bain, and shall inhanse their damnation; for as all things shall turn together for the best, to those that love God, so all things shall turn together for the worst, unto them that hate God, as they do, Iohn 15.24. Rom. 1.30. But enough hath been said (as I suppose) to make good what I promised, and to prove that the c…uell and unmercifull Miser is never the better for his riches, but the worse, and how God bestows these outward blessings upon him, rather in wrath then in love, with the reasons thereof; but as you have heard what it is, not to be Rich and Happy: so in the next place hear what it is to be so.
For to clear mens judgements, and for the further and fuller discharge of what I promised in the beginning, that also is to be discovered, which when I have dispatcht, I shall honestly acquaint you, how of poor, melancholy, and miserable, you may become rich, happy, and comfortable; now as touching the former of these, you are to know: That a competency of earthly things, is indeed and really the best estate in the world, if we had but the wit to know when we are well, which makes Agur pray, Give me neither poverty nor riches, but feed me with … … 30.8, 9. He prayes against riches, as well as poverty, and that which we are to pray against, we may not desire; and what is it our Saviour teacheth us to pray? but Give us this day our daily bread, Ma…. 6.11. We are never so happily fed, as when we wait upon God for our daily bread, and are therewith content; and lest our Saviours words should not be enough, he teacheth us this lesson no less by his own practice, then by precept; for though he was owner of all things in the universe, yet he would have no more then just what he needed, as when he wanted money to pay tribute, he sent for no more then he was to disburse presently, Matth. 17.27. he might have commanded twenty pounds as well as twenty pence, but he would not, to shew that we should desire no more then will serve our turn.
A competent measure of wealth to retain an honest reputation in the world, so that we …either need to flatter nor borrow, is sufficient: He is rich enough saith Ierom, that lacketh not bread, and high enough in dignity that is not forced to serve. I would saith another, desire neither more nor less then enough, I may as well dye of a surfeit as of hunger.
This worlds wealth that men so much desire,
May well be likened to a burning fire;
Whereof a little can do little harm
But profit much, our bodies well to warm.
But take too much, and surely thou shalt burn,
So too much wealth, to too much wo does turn.
It is a great skill to know what is enough, and greater wisedome to care for no more; if I have meat, drink, and apparrel, I will learn therewith to be content; if I had the world full of weal…h beside, I could injoy no more then I use, the rest could please me no otherwise then by looking upon, as wise Solomon shews, Eccles. 5.11. and why can I no… thus solace my self while it is anothers? It was a dainty disposition of one that followed a great Lord, who was often heard to say, I bless God, I have as much in effect as my Lord himself, though I am owner of little or nothing, for I have the use of his Gardens and Galleries to walk in, I hear his Musick with as many ears, I hunt with him in his Parks, eat and drink of the same with him, though a little after, and so of other delights which my Lord enjoys. And indeed, what great difference is there, save in the pride and covetousness of a mans mind? for my part, (let me speak it to Gods glory, and out of thankfulness) I have no share with either of them in these delights; I enjoy neither curious gardens, nor delicious musick, nor sumputous f…re, my body will scarce permit me a cup of strong drink, I do not know that I have been free from getting cold in my head (more or less) one whole day this thirty years, my means will not afford me to keep either horse or ma…, except with the unjust Steward, I should cozen my master, yet I would not change my con… s…nds of my mind, as preferring a retired life, spent in conversing with Authors, before all the honors, pleasures, and profits that others enjoy; This is the gift of God, (Eccl. 5.15. to the end,) and not unmeet to be spoken in the great Congregation, Psal. 35.18, and 119.46. Riches and Poverty are more in the heart then in the hand; we may be as happy and as warm in Country russet, as in Tissue; he is wealthy that is contented, and he poor that is not, were he as rich as Croesus, he only is rich and happy, in regard of outward things, who thinks himself so, and only the covetous and uncontented are poor and miserable. The contented man in coveting nothing, enjoyes all things, though he have nothing; even as Adam was warm, though he had no cloaths. The eys quiet, the thoughts medicine, and the minds Mitridate, is content, it is a sweet sauce to every dish, and adds pleasantness to all we do; how many miserly muck worms macerate themselves with perplexing thoughts, cares, and fears of want, when they want nothing but a thankfull heart? these are miserably poor and unhappy, but it is in opinion onelyonly, for otherwise were they but contented, they might be the richest and happiest men a live, not by adding to, or heaping up goods upon goods, but by diminishing and taking away from their greedy and covetous desire of having more. The shortest cut to riches, is by their contempt; it is great riches not to desire riches, and he hath most that cove…s least, sayes Socrates, and also Seneca.