A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

We are troubled about many things, but neglect that one thing most necessary. Ociamur in quibus laborandum, laboramus in quibus ociandum. Other creatures are content with a little; Non ita mortales, quos urget habendi, Tantus amor; domibus domes, arvis additur arvum, monticulus monti, maribus mare, Jungere mundo conantur mundum, sua dicere cuncta volentes. This sin is like a talent of lead tied to a mans heels, that utterly disable him to climb up the ladder of blessedness. Our Saviour hath described eight stairs; the covetous cannot get up one step.

We are troubled about many things, but neglect that one thing most necessary. Ociamur in quibus laborandum, laboramus in quibus ociandum. Other creatures are content with a little; Non ita mortales, quos urget habendi, Tantus amor; domibus dom•s, arvis additur arvum, monticulus monti, maribus mare, Iungere mundo conantur mundum, sua dicere cuncta volentes. This sin is like a talent of lead tyed to a mans heeles, that utterly disable him to climbe up the ladder of blessednesse. Our Saviour hath described eight staires; the covetous cannot get up one step.

First, Blessed are the poor in spirit: the covetous may have a poor spirit,¹ cannot be poor in spirit. To be poor in purse is his fear, to be poor in spirit is none of his desire. Per mare pauperium fugiens, per saxa, per ignes. Through the sea of deep policy, the rocks of stony bowels, through the fire of lust, the fire of hell, he seeks riches. Nothing humbles him to the sense of his sins, but the loss of his goods: and this so despairs him, that he will be at the charges of his own halter. Blessed are they that mourn: alas, the trolling in of riches makes his heart too merry for that blessing. If Peter will weep he must go out of the Priest hall. It must be some premunire or confiscation, or such a loss that brings him to repentance. Blessed are the meek. But Avidus lucri, impatiens damni. If he lose his money, he will trouble his own heart, his own house, the whole City, and out-swear a ruffian. If his servant but break a glass, it shall be deduced out of his wages. He had rather be damned, than damnified. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness. But his appetite stands not that way: let him glut himself on the filthy garbage of ill gotten goods, he cares not for Manna. To lap in the foul puddles of Usury, he refuseth the streams of mercy that make glad the City of God. Blessed are the merciful: but that stands not with his profession. For the penny which comes out of his purse, it is like a drop of blood from his heart. His reward must be accordingly, to have