The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 2 · Chapter 25

The Christian Warfare Part 2 · Book 2 · Chapter 25

p. 547CHAP. XXV.

Of the miseries which accompanie worldly things, in respect of their getting, keeping and possession.

ANd thus hauehave I shewed some of the manifold§. Sect. 1. Of the euils which worldly thing… bring with them, and first▪ honors and riches. miseries which doe accompanie the life of man: which if any thinke that they may be cured with the counterpoison of worldly prosperity, and that we may find in earthly things such comforts, as may beare vsus out in all these crosses, making our ioyes to exceed our sorrowes; let such an one know that he is much deceiued, seeing they are so farre from freeing vsus from the former miseries, that they helpe to increase them; and though like Iobs friends, they proffer their seruice for the mitigating and appeasing of our griefes, yet before they depart they adde vntounto our sorrowes, and aggrauate the waight of our affliction: for besides the euils which they find, they bring many with them, and like liberall contributers, p. 548they adde abundantly to the banke and heape of miserie. For let a man but set his hart vponupon these vanities, and with what cares is he presently turmoiled? with what hopes and feares is he continually racked? with what enuie, emulation, iealousie, rage, hatred, and contention is he forthwith wholly possessed? spending part of his time in madde mirth, when he hath his desires; and a greater part in sad melancholie, because he is crossed of his hopes; one while ouer ioyed and snatched vp into the clouds with rauishing admiration, and soone after suddenly deiected with discontent, because he can ascend no higher in the pursuit of those things which chiefely affect him. Thus he who taketh all his paines in sowing the seeds of honor, hath neuer a haruest that answereth his greedie expectation, but hauing sowen the wind of vaine-glorie, he reapeth the whirle-wind of trouble and vexation, as the Prophet speaketh: for his head is continuallyHosea 8. 7.Hos 8:7 turmoiled with cares to rise higher, and with feares lest missing footing in his climing, he fall from that height vntounto which he is alreadie aspired: eueryevery honor which he misseth is vntounto him a grieuous disgrace: the not vncouering of his inferiours head, is a corrasiue to his heart; and the greatest honor doth not bring vntounto him any ioy and comfort, when asHester. 5. 9. 11.Esth 5:9Esth 5:11 he is but touched with the least contempt: the least frowne of his Prince, as a piercing sword, inflicteth such a deepe wound into his heart, that all the smoothing tongues of his fawning flatterers cannot make it whole againe with their often licking; only it is the renued beames of the Princes fauour, that can do away these clouds of sorrow. So what cares and feares, troubles and discontents accompany worldly wealth, if it be immoderatly loued and affected? In regard whereof one faith, that no man can wish an heauier curse vntountoQuid mali optes auaro, ni▪ vt vinat diu? a couetous man, then that he liue long, because like the Indians he is continually tormented with the idoll which he worshippeth, and when he aboundeth most in wealth, he is not so rich in any thing, as in woe and miserie: for what tedious taskes doth his golden god impose vponupon him? how is he constrained to watch whole nights in giuing attendance? how doth it thrust him into desperate dangers, for the compassing p. 549of that which being obtained, it will not giuegive vntounto him power to inioy? In regard whereof that may be truly said of them, which is spoken of the Angell of the Church ofApoc…l. 3. 17. the Laodiceans, that they only hauehave a name and bare opinion of being rich, whereas they are wretched and miserable, poore and naked.

The like also may be said of worldly pleasures, which are§. Sect. 2. Of the miseries which accompanie pleasures. not only the companions, but also the causes of many miseries: for ioy and sorrow like two twins are borne and bred together; and no sooner doth the one appeare, but presently the other attendeth on it. So the Wise man saith, that euen in Prou. 14. 13.Prov 14:13laughing the heart is sorrowfull, and the end of mirth is heauines. Fitly therefore are these carnall pleasures called the worlds Syrens, which hauehave the beautifull faces of women, but the hinder parts of scorpions, they hauehave hony in the mouth, but a sting in the taile; for though they delight at the first taste,Nulla sors long… est, dolor ac voluptas inuicem cedunt; breuior voluptas. Senec. in Thyeste. yet in the end they proue as bitter as the gall of Serpents; though in the beginning they please the carnall appetite, yet poisoning vsus with many sinnes, at last they bring horrour of mind, trouble of conscience, and at the best bitter griefe, and painfull, though profitable sorrow, and repentance. In which respect they may fitly be compared to Abners play, which began2. Sam. 2. 14▪ 262 Sam 2:142 Sam 2:26 with pleasure, but ended with bitternesse; to Balthasers banquet, which began with mirth and iollitie, but ended with feare and trembling; and to sweete meates of hard digestion, which are pleasant in the mouth, but loathsome and burthensome in the stomacke: for who seeth not that riotous reuelling in worldly delights, is commonly attēded on with want and beggerie? that vncleane lusts, and filthines of life, are accompanied with inward diseases and outward shame? that banquetting and excessiue fare, is the mother and nurse of the most sicknesses, and the common cause of vntimely death? yea who seeth not that these carnall delights are not only accompanied with miseries, but in themselues miserable? for to say nothing of their common fellowship which they hauehave with sinne, which aboue all things in the world maketh a man wretched, we find by continuall experience, that these pleasures like sweet and luscious meats, grow presently p. 550loathsome; vnlesse our appetite be sharpened by the sowre sawce of interchanged miseries; that vntill we hauehave enough of them, we are troubled with our owne concupiscence, but no sooner hauehave we satietie, but there followeth tedious loathing; and seldome or neuer is there such a iust equipoise and proportion, but that we are vexed with too much or with too little. Finally, we find that extremitie of ioy is an heauie burthen, of which the heart seeketh no lesse to ease it selfe, by sending out whole flouds of teares, thenGen. 45. 14. and 47. 29.Gen 45:14Gen 47:29 when the waight of griefe lieth heauie on it: yea that being excessiue it bringeth, as a more pleasant, so also more sudden death, then the greatest extremitie of bitter sorrow; the heart letting out the vitall spirits, whilest it too much inlargeth and openeth it selfe, to let in pleasure and delight.

But the miseries which accompany these worldly things§. Sect. 3. That worldly things are not gotten without great labour. will better appeare, if wee more specially consider those which are incident vntounto them, in respect of their getting, keeping and losing them: for they are gotten with labour, kept with care and feare, and lost with griefe and sorrow; or as it is in other words expressed; paines begetteth them, care…ignūtur labore, nutriuntur curis, & sepeliuntur dolor…. nurseth them, and sorrow accompanieth them to their funerals. For first, howsoeuer these worldly things are of small worth, yet they are attained vntounto with no small labour; neither is there any good thing in the earth to be bought and purchased without the coine of continuall paines, and laborious industrie: so the Wise man saith, that all things are full of labour, and that God hath giuen to the sonnes of men toEccles. 1. 8. and 3. 9. 10.Eccl 1:8Eccl 3:9Eccl 3:10 humble them thereby, great trauaile with little profit. Neither is it small paines which men take in pursuing of these vanities, but so extreame and great, that euen they commonly consume and tire them: for so the Prophet saith, Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts, that the people shall labour in the verie Hab. …. 1▪ 3.fire? the people shall euen wearie themselues for very vanitie? And surely who seeth not that worldly men doe take much more paines in attaining vntounto earthly trifles, then Gods seruants take for heauenly treasures? and that with more ease we might furnish our selues through Gods blessing, with all spirituall, sanctifying and sauing graces, then with a small p. 551competencie of worldly necessaries? and secure our selues of the fruition of our eternall inheritance, with far lesse labour then is vsually taken in procuring of these worldly annuities, which last but for the short time of a momentanie life, and oftentimes are not with all this paines enioyed, they flying the more frō some, the more earnestly that they are pursued? And yet so foolish we are that we neglect these rich treasures of spirituall grace, and eternall ioy, which God (to take away all excuse) hath offered vntounto vsus freely and franckly without money, and with little labour ioyned with much comfort; and with all eagernesse pursue these worldly trifles which cannot be obtained without much paines and toilesome trauell; like little boyes who with great delight spend their sweate in catching a butterflie; but are straight tired though they sit easily at their books to get learning, and neuer take the least thought in securing vntounto themselues the title which they hauehave to their inheritance.

The which follie is so much the greater, in that men doe§. Sect. 4. That worldly men take their chiefe paines for superfluities. not take these extraordinarie paines for obtaining worldly necessaries, but for the most part needlesse superfluities, not such as the necessity of our temporall life requireth; but such as insatiable concupiscence desireth and affecteth. For those things which are necessary to nature, and to the preseruation of life, as meate and drinke, clothing and lodging; aire, fire,2. Pet. 1. 3.2 Pet 1:3 water, and the rest, are giuen liberally by God to those who take some moderate paines in their lawfull callings, and they lie out in common without inclosure, to bee obtained with ease by those that need them: but superfluities are not so easilie compassed, being either hid and not found without great search, or inclosed about with so many difficulties, that men cannot approch them without great paines and danger. For example, the mines of gold and siluer are hid in the secret cauernes of the earth; precious stones, in the sea & sands; gorgeous clothes bought at deare rates, and delicious meats with much cost and paines procured, and with no lesse cooked and prepared. And yet (as one saith) though gold beeClemens. Alex. paedagog. lib. 2. cap. 12. hidden by the Indian Emits, watched by the Griffins, deepely buried in the earth, and not without restlesse labour, and p. 552extreame danger gotten and obtained; yet men willingly take all this paines, and boldly hazard themselues to all these perils: But though grace be freely offered without money, and heauen opened to all that desire, and but striue to enter; yet the most neglect the one, as not worth the receiuing; and lose the other, because they had rather not hauehave it, then take the least paines in trauelling to it. Yea so are men besotted with the louelove of worldly vanities, that they take all these paines and endure these restlesse labours with pleasure and delight, which otherwise would be intolerable; and as it is said of Iacob louing Rachel, they thinke many yeeres but a few daies which is spent in compassing these things which they so fondly affect, that if this dotage supported them not, would be irksomely tedious. They are in such hast in running after these trifles, that though they tread vponupon prickles and briars they feele no hurt; so greatly do they thirst after these worldly vanities, that though they bee made bitter with toilesome labour, yet they greedily swallow them with pleasing delight; and as the oxe accustomed to draw in the yoke, doth after he is loosed, againe yeeld his necke vntounto it of his owne accord, without compulsion; so these men being inured to the worlds slauerie, though they were set at libertie out of this thraldome, would againe voluntarily take vponupon them the yoke of seruitude, and weare themselues out with toilesome labour, to attaine the vncertain possession of these momentany vanities.

And thus doe ambitious men take infinite paines in attaining§. Sect. 5. Of the miseries incident to the getting, of honours, riches, and pleasures. Laboris semen, honoris seges. vntounto worldly glory and preferments; for it is the feed of labour which bringeth forth the fruit of honour; and hee who will attaine vntounto it must be content to endure toilesom paines, and to runne himselfe into desperate perils, hee must spend the day in restlesse trauels, and the night in carefull watching, plotting those policies which the next day he will put in practise, for the atchieuing or preseruing of honour and aduancement; like a common seruant he is wholly taken vp by other mens businesses, his sleepe is broken by suiters, if not by his owne cares; his recreations are interrupted with affaires of State, and whilest he becommeth other p. 553mens, he ceaseth to be his owne; hauing no spare time to enioy himselfe, or to bestow on his priuate affaires, vnlesse he wil be exclaimed vponupon by his waiting clients, for giuing too long attendance. Hee must in time of warre fight in the front, first enter the breach, and euen runne vponupon the pike, and canons mouth, exposing his body to maimes and wounds, and his life to the extreamest perils, if he will hauehave honour. In the time of peace hee must vndergoe no lesse perils, both of professed enemies, and vndermining foes, thePlausus & acclamationis secundae fauor, magna solicitudine & partus est, & expiandus. Senec. epist. 59. one seeking to crush him, the other to trip him whilest hee is rising; nor yet indure lesse paines; for he must labor whilest others rest, watch whilest others sleepe, and with a world of care vphold his state, whilest others liue at …ase and take their pleasure. So what paines and perils doe men vndergoe who will attaine vntounto worldly riches? whilest they rise earely, and goe late to bed, fare hardly, and goe barely, pinching both backe and bellie, and withholding necessaries from themselues and theirs, to increase the stocke. If they stay at home they toile themselues in ploughing, and sowing, running and riding, with innumerable other labours to attaine vntounto wealth. If their calling be such as imployeth them abrode▪ what miseries doe they indure? what paines doe they take? what dangers doe they runne into? they must leaue their owne countrie, and runne into voluntarie banishment, as it were into another world, they must forsake house and friends, parents and children, yea they must bee content to part with their wiues, making a temporarie diuorce between them whom God hath conioyned; and as it were diuide themselues, leauing halfe at home, when the other halfe must goe abrode to seeke for worldly pelfe. They must commit themselues to the merciles waues, cruell pyrats, and barbarous people, and one while be in danger of drowning, and another while of spoiling; sometime of staruing on sea, and soone after of betraying when they are come to land. And thus as the Psalmist saith, man walketh in a shadow▪ and disquieteth Psal. 39. 6.Ps 39:6himselfe in vaine; he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them. The like also may bee said of pleasures, which hauehave more paine and griefe going before them, then p. 554ioy and contentment comming with them: for what preparations are required to delightfull shewes, reuels, and pastimes? and what running and riding, toiling and moiling, catering and cooking, is necessary for the prouision of vnnecessarie dainties? In so much as the epicure himselfe who made a god of his bellie, and an idol of his pleasure, prescribeth to his disciples for their chiefe diet, rootes, apples,Hieron. lib. 2. aduer…. Iouin. tom. 2. and ordinarie meates, which might bee procured with greatest ease; because exquisite banquets, and daintie fare, requiring for their preparation great care and labour, did bring vntounto men more paine and trouble in their getting, then pleasure and delight in their enioying. In a word, whosoeuer purchase any of these worldly vanities, they are faine to buy them at so high a rate, that if at the first view the price were set vponupon these deceitfull wares, all would passe by them, and not once cheapen them.

And thus hauehave I shewed what miseries accompanie these§. Sect. 6. That mens paines in getting worldly things is commonly accompanied with …inne. worldly things in respect of the paines which are taken in their getting. Now if we further consider that these wearisome labours of the body, are commonly ioyned with the sin of the soule, and that as they bring to the one temporarie troubles, so to the other eternall torments, if they be not preuented by serious repentance, we may iustly conclude that in this respect also they are truely miserable. For what greater miserie can be imagined then to toile for that which is not worth our paines, and after all our labour to giuegive our soules to boot, for the procuring of these trifling vanities? to sell our soules vntounto sinne, and by sin vntounto death, which the whole world cannot redeeme when they are once lost? For if it will not profit vsus by the losse of them to gaine the whole world, as our Sauiour speaketh; then how wretched is their estate,Mat. 16. 26.Matt 16:26 who sustaine by sinning this vnrecouerable losse, for the obtaining of some small pittance, & slender share of the worlds vanities? But who seeth not that few of many compasse these worldly things by honest and lawfull meanes; but take indirect and sinfull courses for the atchieuing of their ends? Some wronging others by violence, oppression, trecherie, and subtiltie, fraud and deceit; and almost all wronging p. 555themselues with vnmeasurable toyle, and carking care, spending their strength, and hastening their death, for the obtaining of these earthly trifles: whereby also they grieuously sinne against God, not onelyonly by destroying his creature, but by dishonouring the Creator, whilest wholly resting vponupon their owne care and labour, and vsing their owne meanes, they denie his prouidence, and refuse to be ordred in their courses by his directions prescribed in his word; as though either he were ignorant and knew not their wants, or carelesse and did not regard them; or insufficient, and not able to relieue them; whereas in truth, he seeth all, ruleth all, and hath enough in store for all that depend vponupon him: so that as the Wise man saith, in the feare of the Esay 5. 18.Isa 5:18Lord is an assured strength, and his children shall hauehave hope: seeing he neither wanteth knowledge, power, nor will to prouide for them. And thus do men draw vntounto themselues iniquitie with the cords of these worldly vanities, as the Prophet speaketh, swallowing vnderunder these baites the hidden hookes of sin, and receiuing these earthly trifles as the wages of wickednes; whereby they eternally lose themselues, for the temporarie gaine of worldly vanities. And yet so foolish men are, that they conceiue not of this miserable losse; but thinke only those things deare which are bought with money, and those cheape for which they sell their soules; that losse alone which diminisheth their outward estate; and that aduantage, which addeth to their stocke, though it robbeth them of themselues, and their owne saluation: and whereas they would refuse many things which they desire vponupon the base price of some little money, they will not sticke to purchase it by sin, wrong, iniurie, oppression, lying and deceit, though thereby they hazard body and soule to hell and eternall death: whereby it appeareth how highly men prize these worldly trifles, and how meanely they esteeme themselues, seeing they are readie to make exchange vponupon all occasions; and to make sale of their soules to buy these vanities.

Thus those who are ambitious doe not onelyonly toile themselues§. Sect. 7. Of the wicked courses which ambitions and couetous men run into, to obtaine honors and riches. Pro regne velim … patriam, penates, coniugem flammis dare … imperia pre…o quolibet constant benè. Senec. in Thebaide. with excessiue paines, but also are readie to run on in any wicked course, which doth but promise to lead them vntounto p. 556honor and preferment. They care not to breake the lawes of God and men, they neither regard pietie nor humanitie, stranger nor familiar, kindred nor countrie, but are willing to confound all, to ouerthrow all, and to defile their consciences with blood, murthers, conspiracies, treasons and rebellions, rather then they will faile to attaine their proud hopes, thinking a kingdome well bought, which may be had at any price: they are euer plotting machiauellian policies, & thinke they are best aduanced, whē they rise to their desired height by treading vponupon others, whom by their fraud and treachery they hauehave supplanted; they make no account of lying, dissembling, swearing, forswearing, infidelitie and falshood, if by all, or any of them they can serue their owne turnes. Finally, hauing nothing in them worthie praise, they are readie to commend themselues by dispraising others, and hauing nothing simplie good in them, they would appeare good in comparison, by making others seeme worse then themselues. Thus also couetous men are readie to commit all manner of wickednes to increase their riches, as oppression, extortion, crueltie, iniurie, briberie, vsurie, and all manner of fraud and deceit; yea they will not sticke with Ahab to murther innocents, that they may make a prey of their goods; with Demas to forsake Christ and follow the world; with Iudas to betray their master, and with Demetrius to stirre vp persecutionAct. 19. 25.Acts 19:25 against the disciples of our Lord and Sauiour, if they speake against that whereby they hauehave aduantage; yea in truth they are worse then Iudas, for he would not sell Christ vnderunder the price of thirtie siluer pieces, whereas they are daily readie to part with, and forfeit that right and interest which they hauehave in him by lying, swearing and deceiuing, for the base offer of a groat or penie; yea when they hauehave fold their soules vntounto sin, for the purchase of this worldly pelfe, they are readie (as the Wise man speakth) to transgresse Gods lawProu. 2…. 21.Prov 2:21 for a piece of bread, and that euen when they abound with wealth, and hauehave no spur of necessitie to prick them forward; hauing full bellies, with rauenous greedines they hunt after eueryevery prey; and like the fish which Peter caught, though they hauehave money in their mouth, yet are they nibling at eueryevery p. 557bait, and so as rich theeues, they double their fault in stealing when they hauehave no need. Thus the Wise man bringeth in couetous worldlings resoluing vponupon any wickednesse for the obtaining of riches: Come, say they, we will lay wait for blood, Pro. 1. 11. 13. 19.Prov 1:11Prov 1:13Prov 1:19and lie priuily for the innocent without a cause, we will swallow them vp like a graue, euen whole, as those that go downe into the pit; we will find all precious riches, and fill our houses with spoile. And lest we should thinke that this is the case of some few only, he concludeth, that such are the waies of eueryevery one that is greedie of gaine, and that he will take away the life of the owners thereof. So the Lord complaineth by his Prophet; among my Ierem. 5. 27. 28.Jer 5:27Jer 5:28people (saith he) are found wicked persons, that lay wait, as he that setteth snares, they hauehave made a pit to catch men: as a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit, and thereby they are become great and waxen rich, they are waxen fat and shining, they do ouerpasse the deeds of the wicked, they execute no iudgmet, no not the iudgment of the fatherlesse, &c. And the Prophet Michah Michah 3. …. 3. and 6. 10. 11. 12.complaineth, that y^e couetous oppressors of his times did hate the good & louelove the euil, pluck off the skins of the poore people from them, and their flesh from their bones, that they did eat also their flesh, slay off their skin, break their bones, & chop thē in pieces as for the pot, & as flesh within the caldron. And elsewhere,Maior diuitibus cura de pauperum spolijs, quam de suis emolumentis est. Iniuriam vestrum putatis si quid pauper habeat, quod dignum possessione diuitis aestimatur, &c. Ambros. lib. de Nabuth. cap. 3. Ecclesiasticus 5. 8.Sir 5:8 that they did vse scant measures, false ballances and deceitful weights, that their actions were full of crueltie, and their mouthes full of deceit and lies: the which their sin is redoubled vponupon their sinfull soules, because by their crueltie and deceit they oppresse the poore, making choice to go ouer the hedge where they find it lowest, and treading those vnderunder foot, who are not able to rise or make resistance. And in regard of these and many other sins, which vsually accompany riches in respect of their getting, they are called by one wicked riches; and by our Sauiour Christ, the mammon of iniquitie: and in this regard also they are compared vntounto thornes, because as when they are hastily catched they woūd the hand, so these the consciences of those who greedily seaze vponupon them; and vntounto snares, which being couered with a bait, inthrall vsus whilest they allure vsus; for he who greedilyGregor. Moral. lib. 31. cap. 8. desireth to obtaine riches, taketh no care to auoid sinne, and p. 558being taken like a bird, when with an hungrie eie he beholdeth the baite of earthly things, he is vnwittingly strangled with the snare of sin. Hence also it is that couetousnes by the Apostle is said to be the root of all euill; and by another it is1. Tim▪ 6. 10. Bion. Sophista apud Stobaeum.1 Tim 6:10 called the metropolis, or mother citie of all vice and wickednesse, because where it is intertained, thither also all manner of sin resorteth, and as it were keepeth continuall tearme. In regard of which sins vsually accompanying riches, in respect of the vnlawfull meanes which are ordinarily vsed in their getting, one doubteth not to affirme that a rich man is vnrighteousDiues est iniquus, aut iniqui haeres. Hieron. in Ier. 6.Jer 6 himselfe, or the heire of one which is vnrighteous: which though it be not alwaies so, yet it seldome faileth in those who immoderately louing wealth, resolue with themselues that they will be rich; and making haste to satisfie their greedie desire with all possible speed, doe in short time accomplish that they wish: for as sudden fulnesse and fatnesse is an vndoubted signe of the ill disposition of the bodie; so when as a man suddenly waxeth great, and (as I may say) fat in his state, by ordinarie meanes, and by his owne industrie and labour, it is an argument more then probable, that his mind is full of the grosse humours of sin. Of the former the Apostle saith, that they who will be rich (that is, pitch and resolue vponupon1. Tim. 6. 9. 10.1 Tim 6:91 Tim 6:10 it) fall into many tentations and snares, and into many foolish and noysome lusts, which draw men into perdition and destruction, because the desire of money is the root of all euill. And of the other, the Wise man telleth vsus, that he who maketh haste to be Prou. 28. 20. 22.Prov 28:20Prov 28:22rich, shall not be innocent; and that he who hasteth vntounto riches, Ecclesiasticus 31. 5. Wisd. 15. 12.Sir 31:5Wis 15:12hath an euill eye: for as the Author of the booke of Wisdome saith, they make their whole conuersation to be but as a market where there is gaine; and they resolue with themselues and doubt not to speake it, that they ought to bee getting on eueryevery side, though it be by euill meanes. Yea this the Heathen man could discerne by the light of nature; There is no man (saithMenander in Colat. apud Stobaeum. he) suddenly made rich liuing iustly; for a iust man increaseth his wealth by little and little, through sparing frugality; but he that treacherously lieth in wait for those goods which others possesse, doth forthwith seaze on all, and all at once becōmeth rich. Now what greater miserie can there be, then p. 559to find that trifling gaine which bringeth with it the greatest losse; in getting siluer to forfait the soule, and (as one saith)Vt accedat a… ru… perit fides, vt f…ris ves…iaris, i…tus exspoliaris. August. serm. 8. tom. 10. whilest we gaine some gold to lose our faith, and whilest we decke our selues outwardly with these worldly ornaments, to be spoiled inwardly of all those spirituall ornaments of grace and vertue: but this miserie accompanieth ill gotten goods; for the couetous man by his sinfull gaining loseth himselfe, and whilest he deceiueth his neighbour of his siluer, the diuellAuarus antequam lucretur, seipsum perdit, & antequam aliquid capiat, capitur. August. cosoneth him of his saluation. Which howsoeuer for the present worldly men tast not, being ouer ioyed because they hauehave seised on their desired prey; yet if euer they come to remember themselues, and to feele the waight of their sin lying heauie vponupon their consciences, they will account theseDamnum appellandum cum mala sama lu…rum. Mat. 27. 3.Matt 27:3 euill gaines the greatest losse, and will take no more pleasure in them, then Iudas in the sight of his thirtie peeces of siluer, when he saw also his sinne in betraying his master, which did but worke in him horrour of conscience, and moued him in despaire to murther himselfe. Or if God preuent them with his grace, their wealth will comfort the… no more then it did Zacheus, and that was neither in respect of his getting or keeping it, but as it did inable him to make restitution, and in liberall sort to relieue the poore. Let vsus therefore take heed that we doe not fall into this sinfull dotage of worldly men, who desire increase of their wealth though it bee by euill meanes, seeing riches thus gotten are not onelyonly vaine and momentanie, but also hurtfull and pernicious: for as the Wise▪ man saith, the gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue, is Pro. 21. 6.Prov 21:6vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death. And the Prophet Ieremie telleth vsus, that as the Partrich gathereth the Ier. 17. 11.Jer 17:11yong, which she hath not brought forth; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leaue them in the middest of his daies, and at his end shall be a foole. So also they are hurtfull and pernicious, seeing whilest they treasure vp wealth, they treasure vp sinne; and in treasuring vp sinne, they also treasure vp wrath, and hauing in heaping vp wealth, heaped vp sin, they also prepare for themselues an intolerable waight of condemnation and destruction. And therefore let vsus not set our hearts vponupon this mammon of iniquity, but vponupon the rich treasures p. 560of Gods spirituall graces, and heauenly ioyes; which as they are infinitely of more worth and value, so may wee certainely attaine vntounto these things purely good, by good and holy meanes; seeing our Lord and Sauiour of his free grace and mercy, being infinitely rich, for our sakes became 2. Cor. 8. 9.2 Cor 8:9poore, that we through his pouerty, might be made rich, as the Apostle speaketh.

Finally, worldly pleasures are seldome compassed but sin§. Sect. 8. That worldly pleasures are seldome procured without sin. Delitiae sunt ianua peccati. Ambros. in Timoth. 1. cap. 5. accompanieth them; they being the diuels ordinarie baites which he casteth before men, when he indeauoureth to catch them in the snares of destruction, and (as one calleth them) the very gate of sinne, which leadeth vsus to the committing of all wickednesse. More specially men sin in getting of their pleasures, whilest they pursue them with immoderate louelove, farre esteeming them aboue their worth and value; when as they are at excessiue cost in compassing them; spending those rich talents which God hath lent them, in these superfluities, which they ought to imploy in relieuing the poore members of Iesus Christ; when as they take vp the greatest part of their care and paines, and not onelyonly their owne, but many others also which are at their command; who spend a great part of their life in preparing shewes, sports and pastimes; and in trauelling sea and land to make prouision of delicious drinks, and daintie meats, which may delight their curious pallets, causing a number to sweate many daies for the procuring of that which bringeth but a momentanie delight, lasting no longer then their dainties are in swallowing downe, and in passing that short iourney betweeneCiborum auiditas, quòd auaritiae mater sit, & animum quasi quibusd…m compedibus degrauatum in terra teneat, quis ignorat? Hieron. lib. 2. contra. Iouinian. 1. Pet. 4. 3.1 Pet 4:3 the mouth and stomacke. Finally, when as they raise their delights out of others torments, and maintaine their pleasures by oppression, cruelty, deceit, wrong and iniurie, making many heauie and sorrowfull their whole liues, that they may delight themselues with a few houres mirth. All which vnlawfull pleasures let eueryevery Christian carefully auoide, and thinking it sufficient for vsus that wee hauehave spent the time past of our liues after the lust of the Gentiles, walking in wantonnesse, lusts, drunkennesse, in gluttonie, drinkings, and in abominable idolatries: let vsus passe the remainder of our time in p. 561holinesse and feare, labouring to take all our delight in those spirituall pleasures, which may be lawfully obtained, and being once inioyed, shall neuer be taken from vsus.

And thus hauehave I shewed some of those many miseries§. Sect. 9. Of …he miseries accompanying worldly things in respect of their possession. Chrysost. in 1. Corinth. 14. Homil 35. Eccles. 1. 14. and 2. 11.1 Cor 14Eccl 1:14Eccl 2:11 which accompanie these worldly things in respect of their getting and obtaining. Now further let vsus consider of those which are incident vntounto men in respect of their keeping and possession. For as they are gotten with great toile and labor, so are they kept with much care and feare, in regard whereof they are no lesse troublesome in the inioying then they were in the obtaining; like herein vntounto wild & sauage beasts, which cannot be taken without great paines and perill; and being in hold, bring no lesse labour and danger to restraine them from doing mischiefe. And in this respect the Wise man passeth this sentence of all worldly things, that they are not onelyonly vanity, but also vexation of spirit, troubling and molesting men both in their pursuit and possession. So hee saith else where, that the house of the righteous hath much treasure, but the reueneues of the wicked is trouble: where if he had fitted the antithesis, he should hauehave said, that as the one had much treasure, so the other much trouble: but to note thePro. 15. 6.Prov 15:6 great molestation and anxiety of mind, which waiteth on the estate of worldly men, he is not contented to say, that it is troublesome, but trouble it selfe, or in it selfe trouble. The which trouble and restlesse vexation the Prophet Esay expresseth,Esa. 57. 20.Isa 57:20 by comparing wicked worldlings to the raging sea that cannot rest, whose waters cast vp mire and dirt. Now the cause of this care and feare in the keeping of these worldly vanities, is the immoderate louelove which their owners beare vntounto them; for as we securely possesse those things which we little regard: so if once wee set our heart vponupon any thing though neuer so vaine, wee are presently tormented with a iealous care in keeping it, and feare of losing it. And as little children are neuer at quiet when they are fond of any body in the familie, but crie after them as soone as they see them, and when they hauehave their companie, crie as much if they but seeme to stirre, for feare of losing them; so if we once waxe fond of these worldly vanities, wee possesse them with such p. 562care and feare, lest they should bee taken from vsus, that they bring vsus much more disquietnesse and griefe, then comfort and contentment in their fruition. Neither can wee euer securely enioy any worldly thing, or take delight in it without molestation, vnlesse louing it lesse then we louelove our Creator, and possessing it with a desire moderated by his will, we bee content to retaine it as long as it pleaseth him, and can part with it willingly, when it is his pleasure to take it away; for when we louelove the world or any thing in it with vnlimited affection, and affect the creature, more then the Creator, it is iust with the Lord, that this excessiue louelove should be punished with excessiue cares and feares, and that by immoderate louing, we should lose the comfort of our louelove. Now if any shall say that they feele no such torment or molestation through these cares and feares; let them know that it is not the want of a burthen which procureth their ease, but their madnesse of affection which maketh them senselesse in seeling the waight: it is not for want of trouble that they are so well contented, but because their foolish louelove causeth them to mistake crosses for comforts, and turneth torments into delights. Like those who are wel pleased to hauehave their backs almost broken, whilest they are loaded with gold; or vntounto such as being diseased with the dropsie, take their chiefe pleasure in drinking, though it bee the chiefe cause of their paines and torments.

But how many miseries accompanie these worldly vanities§. Sect. 10. The cares and feares which accompanie honours in their possession. Magnus est labor, magnae custodia samae. it may more plainely appeare, if wee insist in the speciall instances: for first as honours are begotten, borne and bred by perils and labours; so are they by the same nursed and preserued; neither can glorious fame bee long maintained, vnlesse it be vpheld by watching care, and painefull labour: and as those who climbe vp the high and steepe rocke of honour, must before they can get vp spend much sweate, and be euen tired with their laborious trauell, so being come to the top, they shall stand as it were vponupon a narrow ridge, and find but tickle and slipperie footing, whereby they shall be in danger of falling, vnlesse they hauehave a good braine, and a carefull eye. And this causeth those who are aduanced to p. 563high places, to bee iealous and suspitious of all that stand about them, not thinking what they will doe, but what they can doe, nor what presently they vndertake, but what they may attempt in time to come; making their power of infringing their glorie, to bee vntounto them a continuall terror, as if alreadie they were assaulted. They feare those who are vnderunder them, lest they pull them downe, that themselues may more easily ascend; those that are their equals, and as it were on euen ground, lest they should iustle them out of the path of honor, and crosse or ouerthrow them by competition, as being corriuals in the same louelove; and much more do they stand in feare of those who are aboue them, lest they should crush and tread them vnderunder foot, hauing the aduantage of the vpper ground. So that the ambitious man hauing with great paines ascended to the steepe top of honors hill, findeth himselfe not exempted, from the stormie tempests of troubles & dangers, but rather exposed to them; and these high cedars are more often blasted, and shattered with thunders and lightnings, then the lowest shrubs. Which perils howsoeuer many escape yet few or none the feare; for as the thunder-bolt striking but one or two, doth affright and terrifie all those who stand about them; so when those who are highly aduanced, hauehave their greatnes ruined and ouerthrowne, by those who are higher then they, or by the furie of popular rage, or because it is no longer able to bear it own waight, those hauehave their part in the feare, though not in the danger, who are of the same qualitie and estate. Moreouer, adde vntounto these feares and cares the manifold molestations, and fretting griefes, which are incident to those who are of honorable condition, whilest they vindicate their reputation, vpholding and preseruing those honors which alreadie they hauehave receiued, or aspire vntounto new preferments, being distracted betweene hope and feare of rising; whilest they enuie their superiours, emulate their equals, and magnifie themselues to their inferiours. EueryEvery checke of their Soueraigne woundeth their heart, eueryevery repulse or disgrace crusheth and breaketh it: they are vexed with eueryevery salutation which they giuegive vntounto their equals, if they be not resaluted; p. 564they are tormented if their inferiours faile in dutifull respect; and if any out strip them who was behind in this glorious race, they sinke downe with sorrow, and eat their hearts with griefe: they are tormented if they doe not ouer-top all in height and greatnes; and though they be too high alreadie, they hauehave little ioy in their aduancement, vnlesse they can rise to the full pitch of their proud hopes: often they desire to do euill; and yet are fearefull that it should be discouered; and louing those courses of pride, insolence and tyranni…, which expose them to the enuie and iust hatred of all, they are neuerthelesse fretted and vexed, when they are reputed to be such as indeed they are, and when they find that they hauehave no more louelove and respect then they hauehave deserued:Approbatio vu… gi quanto c…criorem quempiam sacit, tanto maio…ibus curis, solicitudinc, at{que} periculis vexat: nec enim respirare, qui dominatui populi seruil, nec in re aliqua …irmite… stare potest, &c. Chrysost. in Matth. 12. hom. 41. tom. 2. 366.Matt 12 they would be lords ouer all, raigning and ruling at their owne pleasure, and yet their pride abaseth them to a seruile condition, setting ouer them so many masters as they hauehave familiars and acquaintance, whom they often, euen vnwillingly obserue and please, because they would not hauehave them diminish their fame and glorie, by detracting their praise and commendations. In a word, innumerable be the griefes and discontents accompanying this estate, many whereof are in their owne nature grieuous and very burthensome, and many in themselues but light, made heauie and intollerable, by the great spirits and small patience of those that beare them: whereby it appeareth that these worldly honors, though they make outwardly a glorious shew, yet inwardly they are full of miseries; and therefore when the world offereth, and bestoweth them vponupon it friends and fauourites, it dealeth with them, as the souldiers with Christ; for it giueth them gloriousMat. 27. 28. 29.Matt 27:28Matt 27:29 robes, but it is to mocke them; it putteth a scepter into their hands, but it is of reed, which breaketh in the managing, and most faileth when it is most rested on; it bestoweth vponupon them crownes indeed, but they are of thornes, which being often smitten to their heads with the cruel strokes of aduerse accidents, wound in stead of comforting, and bring in the place of expected ioy, innumerable molestations and bitter griefes: or though they be of pure gold, yet their worth is so much exceeded by their waight, that none will care to are p. 565them, but only such as cannot safely lay them aside, or those who are so wholly carried with the furie of ambition, that they take pleasure in their paine, and louelove that which is their torment: which being the case of many, gaue iust occasion to one of making this exclamation: O ambition (saith he)O ambitio a… bientium crux, quomodo omnibus torquens, omnibus places? Bernard. lib. 3. de Considerat. which art the crosse and torment of the ambitious, how dost thou torment all, and yet please them in their torments, nothing more bitterly vexeth, nothing more grieuously disquieteth, and yet nothing among miserable mortall men is more magnified and extol…ed.

The like or greater miseries accompany riches, whilestcap. 1. §. Sect. 11. Of the miseries which accompanie riches when they are in possession. they are in custodie and possession, both in respect of that care and labour of bodie and mind, in keeping and disposing them; and also in regard of the feare of losing them, and of many miserable effects which accompany them both: for as they are gotten with intollerable labours of the body, so they are possessed with infinit cares & perturbations of the mind,Origen. in Rom. 5. lib. 4.Rom 5 either whilest they who hauehave them are troubled in disposing and imploying them so, as may returne vntounto them the greatest increase; or in sharing them with some indifferencie to those who are of their familie and charge (for when goods encrease they also are increased that eate them, as the WiseEccles. 5. 10.Eccl 5:10 man speaketh) or finally (if at least they be possessed with a good conscience) in watching ouer themselues, that they be not corrupted with their abundance, and that their plenty of gold do not make them poorer in godlines. In which respect riches are compared to thornes, which being griped wound the flesh, but be harmelesse if they lie in the open hand; so if they being excessiuely loued, be as it were griped with immoderate cares, they prick and wound the heart with manyProu. 23. 5. Quis mihi vnquam crederet si spinas diuitias interpretari voluissem? maximè cum illae p…ngant, istae delectent, &c. Gregor. in Luc. 8. Homil. 16.Prov 23:5Luke 8 griefes & troubles; but if we carelesly keep them, & slightly hold them, being readie to part with them vponupon all good occasions, and to suffer them to take their flight like an Eagle, when God calleth for them, they wil become to their owners not only harmelesse, but also profitable. To which purpose one demandeth: Who (saith he) would beleeue me, if I should interpret thornes to be riches? especially seeing they pricke, and these delight; and yet in truth they are no better p. 566then thornes, because by their pricking cares they rent the mind, and when they intice vsus vntounto sin, they make it bloodie with the wounds of wickednesse. And as they are continually vexed with these cares in keeping them; so also with feare of losing them; for as before they had them, they pursued them with burning desire, so being possessed of them, they keepe them with quaking feare; no sooner hauehave they gottenA…arus diuitias quas optauerat metuit, & voto laborat suo. Senec. Consol. ad Polyb. cap. 23. Iob▪ 15. 21.Job 15:21 riches, but presently they lose their securitie, and now they are in feare of that wealth which before they wished, sicke of inioying their owne desires; and fall into trauell, as soone as they hauehave their longing: for as Eliphas speaketh, A sound of feare is alwaies in their eares, lest in their peace and prosperitie, the destroyer should come vponupon them. If the couetous rich man seeth one stronger then himselfe, he feareth violence and robberie; if one wiser, fraud and deceit; if one richer and mightier, then he is afraid of being spoiled by oppression; if one poorer and weaker, by theft and stealth; abroad he feareth theeues and robbers, at home he suspecteth his owne seruants; in time of warre he is afraid of common spoilers, in time of peace, of enuious and spitefull slanderers, which are readie to make him faultie because he is rich, and an enemie to the cōmon wealth, because he hath too much for his owne particular. Finally, the couetous rich man is afraid of all things, sauing Gods displeasure; and of losing all, except it be his owne soule, and the ioyes of heauen: and such is his folly, that whilest he feareth to lose his gold, riches, lands and possessions, he is in no feare of losing himselfe, as though (excepting his owne person) he had nothing in his custodie, vnworthie the keeping. Hence it is that he keepeth such a narrow watch ouer his wealth, and hauing inclosed and shut it vp vnderunder the sure custodie of many bolts, iron bard chests, and strong lockes, which neither picking nor breaking can indanger, he addeth also to his aid so many seruants, as his couetous mind will suffer him to maintaine, that they may the better keepe the watch, and bring securitie; but all in vaine, for within a while he groweth iealous of his guard, and suspitious of his assistants; and the more able they are to keep out outward violence, the more stronger he thinketh them p. 567to breake open his chests, and to spoile him of his treasures; and therfore thinking no knowne strength sufficient to keep his gold and siluer from force or fraud, hee hideth it in the ground, being ready to suspect his eyes and heart, as priuie to his secrecie, lest imparting it to his tongue, it should reueale it at vnawares either waking or sleeping. And as one of the ancients noteth, such is the madnesse of these greedie muck wormes, that after they hauehave with sweating paines,Basil. orat. 14. de diuitijs & paupertate. searched for their treasures in the bowels of the earth, they are ready with shiuering feare to hide and couer them in the earth again; like the adders yong, which being newly come out of their dams bellie, glide and returne into it for safety, when as they are frighted with any danger. Yea and as though notwithstanding all this, it were not safe enough, they are ready (as one saith) to lie ouer the place in whichMulti def…sso auro incubant, aurum eorum sub terra, & cor eorum sub terra. Ambros. de Iacob. cap. 5. tom. 4. Cyprina. de mortalitate Serm. their gold is hid, and to burie their harts together with their treasures, that it may bee the better watched. In a word, as they neuer thinke their money free from danger, so are they neuer free from feare, they neuer securely eate or sleepe, but as the holy martyr said, they sigh at their banquets, although they drinke in the richest plate; and after their feasts, when they hauehave laid downe their bodies made leane with cares, and euen hid them in their beds of downe, they watch and can take no rest in their soft lodging; and when but a mouse stirreth, they are ready to bustle vp, suspecting a theefe; not vnderstanding, wretches that they are, that all their wealth doth but bring vntounto thē glorious punishments, that they are fettered with their gold, and possessed of their riches, whilest they thinke they possesse them. The which follie of ouer carefull keeping their wealth, as it is in all sottish and absurd, so it is most ridiculous, and yet most common in old men; which though they hauehave alreadie one foot in the graue, yet doe they in this kind shew their foolish feare more then any other; burying their treasures in the earth, not long before themselues are buried, as though howsoeuer they neuer had any good of them in this life, yet they were in some hope to hauehave it in the life to come. The which dotage befalleth men through the iust iudgement of God; for when as they p. 568neglect the louelove of their Creator, who is loued without any labour, he giueth them ouer to dote vponupon the creature which they louelove with laborious paines, and enioy with many griefs; being ready at the command of their concupiscence, to endure all labours and dangers for the obtaining of it; and to what purpose? surely that they may fil their chests with treasures,August. S…rm. 26. in Act. 3. tom. 10.Acts 3 and emptie their minds of peace and securitie; gaine gold, and lose their sleep. To which purpose one saith, that couetousnesse desireth gold, sorrowfull labour findeth it out, and carking care keepeth it: It is the matter of labours, perillous to the possessours, a weakener of vertue, an ill master, and trecherous seruant; no man thinketh that he hath it safe, vnlesse hee alwaies hide it, because it shineth to the owners destruction; in darkenesse it is sought, and it is kept in darkenesse. And the reason of all these miseries is, because men make idols of their wealth, and louelove it out of measure; neither can that be securely possessed which is excessiuely ouerualued; whereas if louing God aboue all, they could in all estates bee content with that which pleaseth him: if in the time of prosperity and plentie, they would learne the vanity of abundance, and make pouertie familiar vntounto them, not onelyonly by meditation, but by accustoming and inuring themselues to indure some want, they would inioy their riches with much more securitie, and entertaine pouertie, if it happen to seaze vponupon them, with much more patience and contentation.

And thus hauehave I shewed the care and feare which accompanie§. Sect. 12▪ That riches depriue their bodies of rest, and their minds of peace which too much louelove them. Eccles. 5. 11. Eccles. 31. 1. 2.Eccl 5:11Sir 31:1Sir 31:2 riches in their possession. Now let vsus consider of some miserable effects which issue from them both; as first through this care and feare they depriue their bodies of rest, and their minds of peace and quietnes. For as the Wise man speaketh, the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleepe. Whom the son of Syrach imitating, saith, that waking after riches pineth away the body, and the care thereof driueth away sleepe; …his waking care breaketh the sleepe, as a great sicknesse breaketh it. For their concupiscence kepeth them waking, whilest it forcethAurea rumpunt tecta quietem vigiles{que} …rahi… purpura noct…s them to tire their thoughts in plotting how they may keepe their owne store, or get other mens, and so turne p. 569their sufficiencie into abundance, no lesse vexing their soulesO si patean… pectora ditum quantos intus sublimuis agit fortuna metus Senec. in Herc. Oet…o. with enuie when they see other mens state hastily encrease, then with sorrow because their owne standeth at a stay, or goeth backward: one while sorrowing because the earth not yeelding fruitfull increase nor sufficient plentie, they hauehave not enough; another while no lesse grieuing at y^e great abundance of all commodities, because the market falling, they cannot sell their owne at their owne rates, bewailing all that as losse wherin they come short of their greedy expectation. In which respect one truely saith, that when the louelove of riches is excessiue & vnsatiable, they much more torment the soule with greedy desire, then they doe refresh it with any comfortable vse; and whilest a man too much leaneth towards them in louelove, they failing him, hee slideth and falleth into griefe and sorrow. He who findeth them loseth his rest, for when he waketh he thinketh of increase, and when hee sleepeth hee dreameth of theeues; he is afflicted in the day▪Idiota inter Orthodoxogr▪ lib. 1. cap. 32. fearefull in the night, and alwaies in want and beggerie, continually robbing himselfe of rest, for feare lest at any time he should be robbed of his riches. So also they load themselues with vnsupportable burthens; and as the Prophet speaketh,Hab. 2. 6.Hab 2:6 with thicke clay: and as birds of heauie bodies cannot flie though they hauehave wings, being pressed downe with their owne waight; so though worldly misers hauehave soules and minds which might carrie them into heauen in spirituall meditations; yet the burthen of their wealth, and their worldly concupiscence, will not suffer them to rise, but presseth them downe groueling vntounto the earth. Which burthen (as one saith) is now more vnseasonable, in that it being the time of warfare, and our enemies still in field, it is altogether vnmeet before the battell be ended to loade our selues with spoiles, which will make vsus vnfit to continue the fight; but after we hauehave obtained the victorie, then may we securely enioy our treasures. Moreouer, with their cares, feares, and restlesse watching, they weaken their strength, and bring vponupon themselues sicknesse, and vntimely death, and all for the obtaining of such trifling vanities, as are not worth the labour in seeking and trouble in keeping them; in which respect their p. 570earnest indeauours, are fitly by the Prophet compared to theEsa. 5…. …. 5.Isa 5 weauing of the spiders web, in making wherof she cōsumeth her own intrails, & being finished, it is good for nothing but to catch flies; so couetous men weare out themselues with cares and labours, for the obtaining of gold and siluer, and when they hauehave them, breake their rest, and oftentimes their hearts in keeping them, hauing for all their paines, cares, and feares no returne of true profit; nor any more good by all their trauels, then their bags and chests wherein they keepe their money, which are but worne out, and sometime broken open for the siluers sake which they keepe in custodie. Finally, by their cares and feares they make themselues of masters and owners, keepers and iaylors of their riches, or rather in truth fellow prisoners; for not the lims but the heart is bound with these golden chaines, and whilest they locke vp their gold in their iron bard chests, their mindes also are imprisoned with it.

And thus hauehave I shewed that those who keepe their riches§. Sect. 13. How we may in the possession of riches be freed from the former miseries. with immoderate louelove, doe together with them harbour many miseries. The which should serue as an effectuall persuasion to weane our hearts from the excessiue louelove of these miserable vanities, and to make vsus affect with our hartiest desires the rich treasures of Gods spirituall graces, and heauenly ioyes, which bring comforts without cares, because all our cares are cast vponupon God, who careth for vsus; and true happinesse without the mixture of any miserie. To make vsus1. Pet. 5. 7.1 Pet 5:7 loath these vaine and worldly riches, which (as Zophar speaketh) filling vsus with abundance, fill vsus also with paine; andIob 20. 22.Job 20:22 to be more in louelove with those heauenly treasures, which wee shall securely enioy without any perturbation of our rest. Or if our affections cannot bee withdrawne from this earthly mammon, let vsus as our Sauiour Christ exhorteth vsus, labourLuk. 16. 9.Luke 16:9 to make friends of it, which we may doe if we vse it friendly, and louelove it truely, as it ought to bee loued, and wee to louelove. Now riches are truely loued when we vse them in their kind, and according to their owne nature, helping them forward to the attaining of their chiefe and best end, for which they were created; euen as we are said to louelove bookes best, when p. 571we euen weare them out with studying; and meat best, when with a good stomacke we feed vponupon it; and our neighbours best, when we moue them to glorifie God in their saluation; because these are the maine ends for which they were made. But the chiefe end of riches is that we may glorifie God in their vse; as when we imploy part of them to the necessarie and sufficient maintenance of our selues, and those who are committed to our charge; and that which remaineth, to the releeuing, feeding and cloathing of the poore members of Iesus Christ, which is the maine end of our plentie and superfluitie; from which end also they hauehave their name, being called goods, because they inable vsus to doe good, and are the instruments of well doing: and therefore they who hinder them of these ends, and will not vse them according to their owne nature, which is to do good, by being communicated to those who stand in need, but keepe them fast locked vp (as it were) in close prison, not suffering their gold and siluer to be at libertie, which were created and ordained to be (as we also call them) currant money, passing from man to man, as need requireth, they can neither be said to louelove their riches, nor yet themselues; because altering their vse and nature, they make them to degenerate, and ceasing to be good and profitable, they cause them through their abuse to be hurtfull and pernicious. In which respect they are compared to bandogs, which are most fierce when they are tied vp, but gentle when they are set at libertie; and to riuers, which if they be suffered to hauehave their naturall course in their owne current, they runne quietly and do much good to the whole countrie, but if any will stop their course, as desiring to ingrosse them to his owne vse, they rage and swell, breake downe their bankes, and drowne all that are about them: orChrysost. in Matth. 13. Homil. 48.Matt 13 vntounto springing fountaines, which if they may purifie and cleanse themselues by sending out their pirling streames, they continue cleare and sweet, but if their issue be dammed vp, and they made a standing poole, their water putrifieth and corrupteth: so if we suffer riches to hauehave their naturall course, like streames issuing from vsus, by communication and Christian liberalitie, and to fill the emptie places which are p. 572in their way, they will retaine their naturall puritie and perfection, being vsed in their kind; but if we imprison and hord them vp, they will corrupt and become vnprofitable, yea in truth noysome, hurtfull and pernicious: thus cloathes laid vp become moth-eaten, corne reserued ouer-long, becommeth mustie and vnsauourie; meate kept past due time putrifieth and stincketh, and coine it selfe being hoorded vp and not vsed, loseth it beautie and brightnes, and is fretted with rust and canker; and that which is worst of all, these moth-eaten garments, corrupted riches, and cankered gold and siluer, shall be a witnesse against those who thus abuse them, eate their flesh as fire, and for their false and wrongfull imprisonment, shall cast them into the prison of vtter darknes, as our Sauiour Christ and his holy Apostle hauehaveIames 5. 1. 2. 3. Matth. 25. 30.Jas 5:1Jas 5:2Jas 5:3Matt 25:30 plainly taught vsus.

If therefore we truly louelove riches, or our selues, let vsus not§. Sect. 14. That riches are most surely preserued when they are giuen to the poore. by hording them vp increase our owne cares and feares, and hinder them of their right vse and end; but let vsus so dispose of them, as they may be most safe, and we most secure; they preserued in their naturall perfection, and we benefited by their fruition. Now this we shall do if we enioy part of them to our owne comfort, and communicate the ouerplus to the good of others, feeding the hungrie, clothing the naked, and relieuing those who any way stand in need. For we lose these earthly riches in keeping them, and keepe them in bestowing them; if we giuegive them we shall euer inioy them; if we reserue them, we shall surely lose them; seeing we cannot long continue with them; for either they shall be taken from vsus, or we from them, carrying nothing with vsus out of the world, but returning naked as we came into it. So that if we would hauehave these perishing things permanent vntounto vsus, we must giuegive them that we may alwaies hauehave them; and leaue them for a time, that we may enioy them for euer. For as the Wise man saith, if we cast our bread vponupon the face of the waters, after many daies Eccles. 11. 1. 2. Prou. 19. 17. Matth. 19. 21. 1. Tim. 6. 19.Eccl 11:1Eccl 11:2Prov 19:17Matt 19:211 Tim 6:19we shall find it; if we giuegive vntounto the poore, we lend vntounto the Lord, and he will recompence and repay vsus that which we hauehave giuen. So our Sauiour telleth vsus, that if we giuegive to the poore we shall hauehave heauenly treasures. And the Apostle teacheth vsus, that p. 573those who be rich in good workes, and readie to distribute and communicat, do lay vp in store for themselues a good foundation against the time to come and obtaine eternall life. If therfore we so louelove our riches, as that we would eternally possesse them, let vsus not hoord them vp in the earth, where we are sure to leaue them, carrying nothing with vsus but the canker of our coine, which shall beare witnesse against vsus at the day of iudgement; but let vsus send them before vsus vntounto heauen, deliuering them to the poore who are Gods factors and receiuers; and so hauing conueyed and made ouer our goods (as it were) by bils of exchange, we shall find the Lord a sure and all-sufficient pay-master, who will giuegive vsus more then double vsance, and yet pay vsus at the first sight. If we would hauehave our corne continue sweet and good for a great space, let vsus know that there are for this purpose no garners cōparable to poore mens stomackes, which will preserue our graine for our vse vntounto life eternall: if we would hauehave our clothes preserued from mothes, and to last long, the backs of the naked are our safest wardrops: if we would keepe our gold and siluer from rusting and cankering, let vsus commit it to the custodie of the poore, and they will not only keep it bright, but become our porters to carie it before vsus vntounto heauen; whereas whatsoeuer they beare not for vsus we shall surely leaue behind vsus. In a word, if we would be rich truly and eternally, let vsus as our Sauiour Christ counselleth vsus, not lay vp our treasures vponupon the earth, where the moth and canker corrupt, and where theeues dig through and steale, but let vsus lay vp our treasures in heauen, Matth. 6. 19. 20.Matt 6:19Matt 6:20whereas they shal be securely safe from all these dangers. And as elsewhere he exhorteth vsus, let vsus sell that we hauehave, and giuegive Luke 12. 33.Luke 12:33almes, and so make vsus bags which wax not old, lay vp a treasure in heauen which can neuer faile, where no thiefe commeth, nor moth corrupteth. And if we looke to find rich treasures when we come to our heauenly country, we must not giuegive it pinchingly & with a sparing hand, but send it before vsus in great plentie; if we will there be rich in glorie, we must be heere rich in good workes, imitating our bountifull God, who giueth vsus1. Tim. 6. 17. 18.1 Tim 6:171 Tim 6:18 abundantly all things to enioy, as the Apostle speaketh; if we will find there a fruitfull haruest of ioy and happines, our seed p. 574time must not be niggardly and sparing, for as the same Apostle saith, he which so…eth sparingly▪ shall reape sparingly; and he 2. Cor. 9. 6.2 Cor 9:6that soweth liberally, shall reape also liberally. The which liberalitieNon est multum quod facis, cum facis quod multi. is not to be measured according to the greatnesse of the thing giuen, simplie considered; but as it is compared to his estate that giueth it, and proceedeth from a free and bountifull heart, in which respect the poore widowes mite, and the cup of cold water giuen by him that hath no better thing to bestow, shall hauehave as rich a reward, as he that giueth much out of his abūdance: but as our almes are fully in proportion to match our estates, so they are not to exceed them; for the Apostle giueth vsus this rule, that we must lay vp for these charitable1. Cor 16. 2.1 Cor 16:2 vses, according as God prospereth vsus; and not whilest we relieue others, bring our selues and those who depend vponupon vsus to want and beggerie. And as we are to moderate our almes with Christian wisdome and discretion, lest we lauishly powre out, in stead of liberall giuing; and by our present pro…u…enesse in wasting the stocke, disable our selues for the time to come; so we are much more carefully to take heed, that we do not withhold from the poore that which our state will well beare, nor giuegive lesse then our abilitie will presently afford, for feare of wanting our selues in time to come; seeing this were but to bewray our diffidence and distrust in Gods bountifull prouidence, yea and after that he hath giuen vsus a pawne and pledge of his liberall louelove in prouiding for vsus sufficient store: from whence we might conclude, that as God hath alreadie furnished vsus with necessarie and conuenient plentie, so (as the Apostle saith) he is still …ble to make all grace to abound towards vsus, that we alwaies hauing all sufficiencie 2. Cor. 9.2 Cor 9in all things, may abound in eueryevery good worke. To say nothing of their extreame solly, who vponupon a causelesse suspition, and diffi…ent …eare, neglect these workes of merciemercy, seeing hereby they certainly depriue themselues of the eternall ioyes of heauen, vponupon an vncertaine feare of wanting hereafter those temporary trifles; and without all doubt cast themselues into the torments of hell: for as true, as truth it selfe hath spoken it, those who hauehave not fed the hungrie, giuen drinke to the thirstie, clothod the naked, and lodged the harbourlesse, p. 575shall at the day of iudgement heare that fearefull sentence passing on them; Depart from me ye cursed into e…erlasting fire prepared for the diuell and his angels; for I was an hungred, and ye gaue me no meate, &c. Euc… as contrariwise those who hauehave performed these deeds of charity, shall with infinite comfort hauehave their Iudge and Sauiour pronounce that ioyfull sentence; Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the Mat. 25. 41. 3….Matt 25:41Matt 25:3kingdome prepared for you, from the foundations of the world, &c.

And therefore if we wil escape this curse, and be partakers§. Sect. 15. A… exhortation to almes deeds. of this blessing, let vsus not with carnall worldlings take all our delight in possessing abundance; and as it were in burying our selues vnderunder an huge heape of this worldly drosse, hiding these lent talents, and not imploying them to the glory of our master, and good of our fellow seruants; but let vsus liberally communicate of our store to those tha… stand in need. Which that we may do with more cheerefulnesse, let vsus further consider that herein we shall approue our selues to be children of our heauenly father, seeing wee resemble him in his bountie and liberality, giuing abundantly according to our abilitie to the reliefe of all that want our helpe; and that we take hereby the best course to rid our selues of carking care, and vnquiet feares of losing these things which we so much louelove, seeing we hauehave laid them vp in heauen, where they shall safely bee kept for vsus, as it were, o… o… gunshotAct. 20. 35.Acts 20:35 of any danger. Let vsus call to mind that it is a more happie thing to giuegive then to receiue, and that those who are most liberall in bestowing almes, doe hereby obtaine farre greater benefits then they vponupon whom they are bestowed; for they giuegive transitorie trifles, but shall bee recompensed with eternall treasures, as it is written, he hath sparsed abrode, Psal. 112. 9. 2. Cor. 9. 9.Ps 112:92 Cor 9:9and hath giuen to the poore, his beneuolence remaineth for euer: his horne shall bee exalted with glorie. They bestow single benefits, but they shal hauehave them returned an hundred fold,Mat. 19. 29.Matt 19:29 and hauehave euerlasting life to boot. And therefore if we truely louelove our money, and be wisely couetous, let vsus fall into the practise of this christian vsurie, which will not onelyonly bring vsus in for gaine ten in the hundred, but an hundred for ten, p. 576yea an hundred for one; so as we may well say with the sonne of Syrach, that if we bestow our treasures after the commandement Eccles. 29. 11.Sir 29:11of the most high, it shall bring vsus more profit th…n our gold. Neither is there any cause why we should suspect our paiment, seeing he who hath promised it, is true and alsufficient, and neuer failed of his word. If therefore men bee willing to commit their seed to the ground in hope of a fruitful haruest, though there be many accidents often happening which frustrate their expectation; if they can bee content in hope of a little gaine to trust out their wares and goods to such as they thinke sufficient, though they are often mistaken and deceiued of all; how intolerable is their diffidence, who dare not giuegive credit vntounto the Lord, promising them to repay that which they lend him with such infinite increase, but rather let their seed wax mustie in their garners, then they will imploy it in this spirituall husbandrie, and repose more confidence in vnable and deceitfull men, then in the most true and al-sufficient God?

And thus hauehave I shewed the cares, feares, and manifold miseries§. Sect. 16. Of the miseries which accompanie worldly pleasures in their fruition. which accompanie riches in their possession, as also some meanes whereby we may be vnburthened of them. It followeth that I ad briefly a word or two of worldly pleasures, which as they are gotten with labour and paine, so they are kept with much trouble and feare. For what care doe they bring to those who set their hearts on them to continue them so, that they may neither be wanting to their appetite, nor their appetite to them? How curiously doe they diet themselues one day, that the day following they may bee more able, and (as it were) better breathed, to runne on in their voluptuous courses? How discontented are they when hauing pleasures they can take no pleasure in them, because they are cloyed, and hauehave already surfetted of their delights? How are they vexed if they doe not answere their expectation, nor please their wanton pallet, when as oftentimes there is no want in their pleasures, but because they being glutted with satiety cannot rellish them? How are they turmoiled whilest they feele an inward conflict betweene voluptuousnesse, and desire of honour, and stand in feare lest by inioying p. 577their pleasures, they lose their credit and reputation, when either they are in themselues vnlawfull, or in their vse immoderate? What inward pangs feele they, when their consciences tell them that their voluptuous courses will not agree with religion, and the feare of God, no nor yet with ciuility and common honesty? and what remorse and stings of repentance doe they endure, when the sweetnesse of their pleasures are ouerpast; though they are so bewitched with these pleasing sorceries, that with the drunkard in the Prouerbs, after they hauehave found themselues sicke, and surfettedPro. 23. 35.Prov 23:35 of their delights, and euen beaten with the scourges of many miseries, they continue in their voluptuous courses, and with no lesse fondnes then before dote vponupon their pleasures? Finally, whereas the temperate man who hath learned to abound and to want, doth securely enioy his delights, as not greatly valuing them, because hee can as well bee without them as with them; contrariwise hee that is voluptuous, hauing set his heart vponupon these bewitching vanities, and made an idoll of his pleasures, is in continuall feare of losing that which hee so much loueth; and when hee aboundeth with those things which his heart desireth, his reioicing is not so great in their fruition, as his feares, ielousies, and suspitions, lest in time to come, hee should bee depriued of them. And howsoeuer these carnall pleasures are but base vanities and childish …oies; yet men setting their hearts vponupon them, they become great, not in themselues, but in opinion, which is the chiefe measure of worldly excellencie. Which opinion as it maketh them to inioy them with louelove; so it causeth them to keepe them with feare; like little children, which with no lesse care watch ouer their worthlesse trifles, then if they were the most precious iewels, and richest treasures.

But hauing sufficiently shewed the miseries which are incident§. Sect. 17. The miseries which acco… p…nie worl…y things when they are lost. vntounto these worldly things, whilest they are in custody and possession; let vsus now in the last place consider, that as they are gotten with labour, and kept with care, so they are lost with sorrow and bitter griefe; for men hauing aduanced them infinitely aboue their worth, both in their iudgement and affection, and made them their Idols, vponupon whom p. 578they hauehave wholly set their hearts; when they are depriued of them they bewaile their losse no lesse; yea in truth much more bitterly, and with far greater passion, then if they had lost all part and interest in God himselfe, his Son Iesus Christ, and all those glorious ioyes in his heauenly kingdome. And hauing reposed in them all their ioy and comfort, their hope and confidence, when with Laban they are robbed of their idols, they lament their losse with more true griefe, and sustaine this burthen with much more impatiency, then if they were at once spoiled of their wife, children, and all theirGen. 31.Gen 31 friends; because they are together with them robbed also of their hearts, which are fast nailed, and inseparablie affixed to them. Neither in this case is the worth of the thing lost to be considered, but the affection and estimation of him that loseth it; for those things which are possessed with immoderate louelove, are lost with immoderate griefe, although in themselues they are vaine and worthles: euen as we see little children lamenting with no lesse true sorrow the taking away of their childish and contemptible trifles, then if they were depriued of their inheritance. So in like maner, worldy men ouerualuing earthly vanities aboue their worth, are more tormented with griefe when they are forced to forgoe them, then for losing the glorious inheritance of the faints, and the eternall ioyes of heauen. Yea their sorrow is so intolerable oftentimes, that to ease their griefe, they murther themselues; as thinking lesse torment in death, yea in hell it selfe, then in liuing to sustaine so great a losse. For the greater they conceited their happinesse in the fruition of their vaine desires, the more miserable they thinke themselues when they are depriued of it; and now they hartily wish that they had neuer enioyed these pleasures, because at the last they are spoiled of them; though in truth with great follie, for they hauing had formerly the fruition of their desires, might, were it not for their owne peeuishnesse, still delight themselues with the remembrance of it, and when they are most destitute and forsaken of the things they loued, they are (setting passion and opinion aside) in no worse case, then before they had them: yea sometime men are thus afflicted p. 579with bitter sorrow, when as they are depriued but of some small part of these worldly things, though they hauehave still the greatest share left behind; neither can their great remainder so much delight them, as their little losse grieueth them, as though their ioy and comfort were bound ioyntly to all, and seuerally to eueryevery part of these vanities, so that if any part be wanting, a forfeiture must presently be made of the whole summe: wherein they may fitly be compared to little children, who though they hauehave twentie trifles wherewith they play, yet if but one of them be taken away without their consent, do presently fall a crying, and in a moodie discontent cast away all the rest, taking no delight in many, vnlesse they may still hauehave all: yea oftentimes it commeth to passe, that though they make but meane account of a thing whilest they hauehave it, yet they value it when they must forgoStultus quod perdidit, ta… tum amat. it, beginning then onelyonly to louelove it, when they lose it, and highly to esteeme it, when they can keepe it no longer. And as their damage indeareth their affection, so answerablie it increaseth their sorrow; and the arguments which they gather to amplifie the greatnes of their losse, are so many quarrels against their owne quietnesse, and so many motiues to augment and aggrauate their impatiencie and griefe. In all which respects worldly men hauehave much more sorrow for the losse of these earthly vanities, then euer they had comfort in enioying them, and after their false and counterfeit ioyes, sustaine true and piercing griefe: and that which is worst of all, this worldly sorrow hath no comfort attending on it, but as the Apostle telleth vsus, it bringeth death, and that not only2. Cor. 7. 10.2 Cor 7:10 of bodie, but of soule also, vnlesse they hauehave grace to bebewaile this griefe, and be heartily sorie, that they hauehave so sorrowed.

And as these things are of vndoubted truth in all other§. Sect. 18. Of the miseries which are incident to men for the losse of honors, riches and pleasures. worldly things; so especially in honors, riches and pleasures; for how vncomfortablie doth the ambitious man grieue, and with what impatiencie doth he sustaine his losse, if he be depriued of his honors and preferments? how much more bitterly and heartily doth he bewaile it, then the death of his first borne or neerest friends? yea how much rather had he die p. 580himselfe, then to liue disgraced, though it be but in the opinion only of his owne consorts? And though he hauehave many preferments, and much glorie in the world, what comfort…ster 5. 9. 11. doth he take in all the rest, if he be depriued but of one, yea if he come short of his hopes where he thought to obtaine; losing that which he neuer had, but only in conceit? So the couetous man bewaileth his lost riches, as if he had lost himselfe; and that not out of passion only, but out of an ill grounded iudgement, which maketh him so to esteeme them, as though all his good and happines consisted in hauing them, and all ill and miserie in their want; and hence it is that in their vsuall phrase of speech they say when wealth is conferred on them, that they are made, and when it is taken away that they are vndone, or (as it were) vnmade againe; iudgeing, that in hauing, or not hauing riches, their making or marring chiefely consisteth: yea so fast hold doth their immoderate louelove of this earthly Mammon take of them, that they can more eas…ly part with their soules then part with it, as we may see in the example of the rich man in the Gospell, who when he could learne of our Sauiour no other meanesMatth. 19. 22.Matt 19:22 to be saued, then by parting with all and following him, he went away sorrowfull for the losse of his soule, but yet resolued to keepe his wealth. And such as their louelove is whilest they hauehave it, so such is their griefe when they are forced to leaue it, and that not only when they lose all, but also some small part or portion of it, in regard whereof, he who hath the greatest riches, hath also most plentiful matter of sorrow and griefe; because in such abundance, and so many particulars which are all casuall, some things must of necessitie eueryevery hand while miscarie, the losse wherof so much & often troubleth him, that it were much better for him, that he had neuer had them, then to sustaine such griefe in losing them. Neither can the greatnesse of their estates lessen their sorowBion apud Senecam, de tranquil. animi. lib. cap. 8. when any losse befalleth them: for as one said wittily; An hairie man doth with no lesse paine suffer his haire to be pulled off, then he who is almost bald; and a wound bringeth as much griefe to a Giant, as to a Dwarfe; and so in like manner it is all one, whether a couetous man hath much or little, p. 581because his heart adhering, and being as it were fast glued to his wealth, the paine is all alike when it is pulled from him. And this maketh men so impatient to thinke of parting with their riches, that they are readie with …he Heathen,Hermocrates apud Stobeu… de iniust. …er. 10▪ when they make their will, to make themselues their owne heires, and to bequeath vntounto themselues their owne possessions. The like also may bee said of voluptuous pleasures, which howsoeuer they be but childish toyes, and of small worth; yet those who set their hearts vponupon them, are vexed with no small sorrow, when they are depriued of them, and howsoeuer they had neuer any good by them in their fruition, either in respect of soule or bodie; yet being inured to them, they bewaile the losse of their company with bitter griefe: and whereas men remember their crosses, dangers, and troubles, with great comfort and contentment, when they are once past; contrariwise the greater their passed pleasure hauehave been, the more bitter sorrow they bring to their hearts when they thinke vponupon them.

And thus hauehave I shewed not only that all worldly things§. Sect. 19. The conclusion p…swading all to seeke after God▪ spirituall graces, and heauenly ioyes. are mixt with, but also in themselues full of miseries. The consideration whereof, as it should weane our hearts from the immoderate louelove of these vanities, which howsoeuer at the first they seeme sweete and pleasant, yet their after-taste is full of bitternesse; and though they be crusted ouer with a thinne rinde of sugred delights, yet that being presently melted away, as soone as it is rellished, the whole bodie and substance that remaineth, is no better, or more pleasing to our taste then gall or wormewood: so on the other side it should moue vsus highly to esteeme, and chiefely to affect, and seeke Gods spirituall graces in this life, and heauenly glorie in the life to come, seeing the former in themselues are free from miseries, and leaue no after-tang behind them; but howsoeuer at the first taste they seeme a little bitter to flesh and blood, yet the more wee feed vponupon them, the more sweete they will be vntounto vsus, vntill at last hauing made them the ordinarie diet of our soules, they will taste more sweetely and delicately, then the hony or the hony combe, as the Prophet Dauid spake by good experience; and so they will not only p. 582delight vsus in themselues, but rellish our mouthes when they are distasted with the bitternesse of worldly miseries. And for the other they are not only in themselues sweet and pleasant, but also free from the mixture of all worldly euils, not tainted with the least trouble, nor distasted with the smallest griefe; for then all teares shall be wiped from our eyes, and all matter of mourning ceasing, we shall be replenished with fulnesse of ioy, and be euen rauished with those happie pleasures which are at Gods right hand for euermore: which if we would truly seeke, we should surely find, and attaine vntounto them with farre lesse labour, then we spend in compassing worldly vanities; and hauing obtained them, we shall securely possesse them without trouble, care or feare; and neuer hauehave cause to bewaile their losse, because they are eternall, and shall neuer be taken from vsus.