The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Title page 1 – Chapter 1
Philarguromastix.
OR, The Arraignment of Covetousnesse, and Ambition, in our great and greedy Cormorants. That retard and hinder Reformation, (All whose reaches, are at riches:) that make gold their god; and commodity the stern of their consciences: that hold every thing lawful, if it be gainful: that prefer a little base pelf, before God, and their own salvations: that being fatted with Gods blessings; do spurn at his precepts.
Dedicated to all corrupt, cunning, and cruel
Governours,
Polititians,
Officers,
Iudges,
Lawyers,
Projectors,
Ingrossers,
Gripers,
Wasters, &c.
Together with the lively, and lovely Characters, of
Iustice,
Thankfulnesse,
Contentation,
Frugality,
Liberality,
Being a subject very seasonable, for these Atheistical, and self-seeking Times.
By Iunius Florilegus.
Imprimatur, Tho. Gataker.
CHAP. I.
HAving felt the Cormorants Pulse, I find it to beat violently after gain. He were a skilfull Physitian, that could pick out the greedy …m, which maketh him so hungry. I will make the attempt, and leave the issue to him, to whom nothing is hard. And that I may (if it be possible) pluck up Covetousnesse by the roots; I will (as near as I can) imitate our Anatomists, who in desecting of a Corpse, passe not by the least vein, or artery, without a discovery, and paraphrase upon the same. And so, that the profit (as I hope) shall recompence the prolixity.
True, he is such a deep, that one may better tell the haires of his head, then the wickednesse of his heart. And whereas Many sinners (which in my former Characters I have pointed out,) have done wickedly; this wretch surpasseth them all. Yea the springs and wards of his deceitful heart, are so divers and intricate; that it would be an impossible enterprise to decipher them all. Neverthelesse, I will (God assisting me) acquaint you with such words, actions, and cunning devices of his, as are most worth my discovery, and the Worlds notice: that being known and stigmatized, you may the better beware of him.
The Covetous Cormorant, Miserly Muckworm, Greedy Griper, or Cunning Polititian; is one that affects no life or quality for it self, but for gain; all his reaches, are at riches. His Summum bonum is commodity: and gold is the goddesse he adores in every thing. Nor cares he how he gets, but what he gets. For he not only betters his estate, by making himself worse; and impoverisheth his soul, to inrich his body: But to purchase a great estate, he will sell both soul, and body. Nor could he otherwise call his wealth his own: if he did not thus buy or purchase it with himself. Like Silvester the second, who to get the Popedome, gave himself to the devil.
If he be a Trades-man, he takes one and the same oath; to be the Cities Freeman, and moneyes bondslave. He shuts the fear of God out of his heart, the same day he begins the world: and marries his Wife, and the World at once: to save the Charge of a double Wedding. He bids a good conscience farewel for thirty years: charging it to meet him again, when he is Alderman. For his hopes, and desires are as great; as his deserts are mean.
Nor is he any niggard of his labour, or neglecter of time and opportunity. Its ever Term with him; his businesse admits of no vacation, no holiday; scarse of nights, or meal times. For he is so eager on his worldly occasions; that he seldom feeles himself either sleepy, or hungry: nor will they once give him leave, to think of his conscience. He takes paynes, and parboyles himself in sweat unreasonably: and because all servants (as he thinks) are Theeves: it much grieves him, he hath not an hundreth hands with Briarius; and as many Eyes with Argus: for he could and would imploy them all. Nor is there any end, or limit to be found in Covetousnesse. Balaam was so inflamed with the hope of Balacks gold: that he thought his Asse never went half fast enough to it. Numb. 22. whence it is, that such an one plots, studies, contrives, breaks his peace, his sleep, his brains to compasse his desires. Neither will he spare, to plow furrowes on the backs of the Poor: Or run through the blood of Orphans to effect the same. For though he ventures his eares, his neck, his soul; he dares not deny his slave, his dog, his devil avarice. Wind, tyde, nor time; but it shall bring him in profit. Yea he will grow wealthy by Plague, Famine, or War, (like those fowles that fatten with frosty weather,) And as for these Civil wars: we know to our cost, that many of them are swollen in their estates, and minds: from a toade, to an Ox, as in the Fable. What are his several wayes to effect the same, in such times: I dare not tell ye; for fear of teaching them: and my aym is to profit your soules, not to increase your estates. Neither will this Discourse permit me, to be prolix. Only this, for matter of conscience, he is like Dorio the Bawde in Terence: that was not ashamed of the basest actions, that brought her in benefit. Or Caligula: who could smell no difference, between gold got by oppression; and that which was honestly come by. And indeed: how should not that Eye be blind? which the Devil hath dawbed up, with the dirt of this world. The gift blindeth the eyes of the wise, saith God; and perverteth the words of the just. Exod. 23.8. Deut, 16.19.