A Christian Library, Chapter 1 – Chapter 2
CHAP. I.
THe Chirurgeons of Greece, (like our English Mountebanks) were wont to shew the operations of their Skill upon Scaffolds, in view of all passengers: thereby to assure men what they could do, as well us to get more practice and custom, if they were deserving. The Merchant thinks it a good course, first to try with a little, how vendible his commodity will be, and after he replenisheth the Market, according to the esteem it findes with the Inhabitants. Nor is he held wise, that will venter all his estate in one bottom. Such were my thoughts, in publishing the first part of this Tracte: intending (like Phidias touching his portrayture) that if it were liked, did abide the touch, passe the standard of the judicious Readers approbation: I would publish the residue, otherwise not: resolving whether allowed of, they should incourage me; or disliked, they should amend me. And now having found that acceptance, which in modesty I could not expect, I have sent abroad the second Part.
In the former Part of this Discourse, I have declared what it is, and what it is not to be Rich: and withall chalked out the way in six Particulars, how men that are poor, may become Rich, and rid of poverty. In this which follows, I shall declare how they may become Happy, and rid of discontent or Melancholy.
Now for the effecting of this, there needs no more be done, than to cure men of their covetousnesse: for if that be once done, all is done; otherwise nothing, or nothing to purpose. For let a covetous man become never so rich, he is never the happier; his care, misery, and melancholy still remaines: but let his covetousnesse cease, and then comes peace, and joy, and content, have he never so little: as I shall shew when I come unto it. Yea, let men but leave, or be willing to leave this one sinne, and they shall depart from this discourse, (like Naaman out of Iordan) as if they had been washt, and all their sinnes taken away, like the scales from Pauls eyes, Act. 9.18. For what hath brought Vsury, and Simony, and non-residency, and bribery, and perjury, and felony, and cruelty, and hypocrisie, and subtilty, and envy, and strife, and debate into the City, and Nation, and made every house an Inne, and every shopa Market of oathes, and lyes, and equivocations, and fraude, and indeed of what not? but the superfluous and excessive love of money? What is the cause of all the murmurings▪ mutinies, jarres, contentions, grudgings, repinings, fretting, chafing, weeping, vexing, complaining, and discontent in every Family? but the great controversie of mine and thine. Name but covetousnesse, and you have named the Mother of all sinnes that can be named, which makes … principal endeavour shall be, to prescribe some remedyes against this cursed sinne. O that I could with little David, cull out of the Scriptures, (that spiritual and celestial Brook) the stone or Pible, that would kill this Goliah: then would I stick it into his temples, with all my might. For I thirst to pleasure these unworthy men, with that which is more worth beyond compare, than all their wealth multiplyed as many times, as there are sands on the sea-shore. For let me tell you, you worshippers of the golden Calf: that the cure which Erasistratus did upon Antiochus, for which he had fourteen thousand three hundred and seventy five pounds; was nothing to this cure of covetousnesse, in him that is therewith infected, or thereto inslaved: as you will confesse if you but consider, what the difficulty of this cure is, of which I have largely spoken in Chapter 19, to Chapter 23. of the fore-going part.
CHAP. II.
Now there is no way to remove this let, or to rescue them from this Remora: except I can insure them, that they shall be gainers by the bargain, and receive by way of exchange, that which shall more than countervail what they part withall: which I doubt not, by the blessing of God to do, if they will but vouchsafe or be willing to hear, either reason or Divine Authority. And 1. I will prescribe or give them some rare Receits, acquaint them with some soveraign Remedies, against this desperate evil: and therein shew them, how they shall or may, of the most miserable men alive, become the most Blessed and Happy. And who knows whether God hath not put me upon this work, and will accordingly blesse the meanes that shall be used? though by a most unworthy and insufficient Instrument? Neither is the strength or weaknesse of meanes, either spur or bridle to Gods choice, who sometimes does greatest acts, by weakest Agents; and gives the greater successe, to the weaker meanes. However, an Emperick or Quacksalver, hath now and then, had the hap to cure a Patient, whom a learned Artist could not do. Wherefore be at leasure you lovers of money, to hearken to what I shall produce from the word, to your ears; and God shall speak to your hearts by his spirit, touching your temporal, civil, spiritual, and eternal state.
Now if you would relinquish this sinne, and so be everlastingly happy; If you prefer true content, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding; before your own misery and vexation: And rather desire to go to Heaven with Lazarus, than with Dives to those scorching flames; observe these few things in order.
In the first place, lay to heart the things formerly delivered; consider that a competency of earthly things with content, is the best estate in the world. Yea that a poor and mean condition, (in case God be pleased to give grace, and his blessing with that little he bestowes:) is far better and happier, than to swimme in great wealth and aboundance. Consider also, and set before you the hainousnesse of this sinne and the … pany covetousnesse: and how it is the cause of many heavy and grievous judgments here, as well as depriving men of everlasting happinesse, in Heaven; and plunging them, into eternal hellish torments hereafter. Yea apply every word that hath been spoken to thy self: and this will be a good meanes to make thee moderate thy greedy desire, mortifie thy carnal affections, and curb thine unruly, and insatiable appetite after gain. And without this all is to no purpose; Little would … have availed the Israelites, that the Manna lay about their tents, if they had not gone forth and gathered it, beaten it, baked, and eaten it; so let the meanes of salvation be never so plentifull; if we bring it not home, and make it ours by application and faith: we are never a whit the better for the same. Cloaths must be put on, meat eaten, a plaster applyed: or they will never warm, nourish, or heal.