For his cure much might be prescribed; specially as they give in the corporal Dropsy, purge the humour that feeds it. When the Covetous hath gotten much, and yet thirsts, a vomit of confiscation would do well, and set him to get more. It was a good moral instruction that fell from that shame of Philosophy Epicurus, the course to make a man rich, is not to increase his wealth, but to restrain 1his covetous desires. The Apostles counsel is to fly it, and all occasions, occupations that may beget or nourish it. Remember, saith a Schoolman, that though homo be de terra, & exterra, yet non ad terram, nec propter terram. Man is on the 2earth, of the earth, but not for the earth, &c. I have read of one John Patriarch of Alexandria, a sparing and strait-handed ⟨p. 27⟩man, that being earnest at his prayers, there appeared to him a Virgin with a crown or garland of Olive leaves: he desiring to know her name, she called her self Mercy: requiring her intent, she requested him to marry her, promising him much prosperity on that condition. He did so, and found himself still the richer for his merciful deeds. She may offer her self long enough in these days ere she be taken. Mercy may live a maid, for no man will marry her. Valerius Maximus speaks of one Gilianus, a famous Roman, that besides hospitality to strangers, paid the taxes of many poor, rewarded deserts unsued to, bought out the servitude of captives, and sent them home free: how few such like can an English Historiographer write of? I would we had such a Gilianus amongst us, so it were not from Rome. Well then, let the Covetous remember his end, and the end of his riches, how certain, how uncertain they are! And intend his covetise to a better obiect. Quis alius noster est finis, quam peruenire ad regnum cuius nullus est 3finis? What else should be our end, save to come to the kingdom that hath no end! His cure is set down by God: I leave the receipt with him. They that will be rich, fall into 4temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil, &c. But thou, O man of God, fly these things, and follow after righteousness, &c. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, &c. but that they be rich in good works, &c.
FOr his cure much might bee prescribed; specially as they giue in the corporall Dropsie, purge the humour that feeds it. When the Couetous hath gotten much, and yet thirsts, a vomit of confiscation would doe well, and set him to get more. It was a good morall instruction that fell from that shame of Philosophy Epicurus, the course to make a man rirh, is not to increase his weath, but to restraine 1his couetous desires. The Apostles counsell is to fly it, and all occasions, occupations that may beget or nourish it. Remember, saith a Schooleman, that though homo be de terra, & exterra, yet non ad terram, nec propter terram. Man is on the 2earth, of the earth, but not for the earth, &c. I haue read of one Iohn Patriark of Alexandria, asparing and strait-handed ⟨p. 27⟩man, that being earnest at his prayers, there appeared to him a Uirgin with a crowne or garland of Oliue leaues: he desiring to know her name, she called her selfe Mercie: requiring her intent, she requested him to marry her, promising him much prosperitie on that condition. Hee did so, and found himselfe still the richer for his mercifull deedes. She may offer her selfe long enough in these dayes ere she be taken. Mercie may liue a mayde, for no man will marry her. Valerius Maximus speakes of one Gilianus, a famous Romane, that besides hospitality to strangers, paid the taxes of many poore, rewarded deserts vnsued to, bought out the seruitude of captiues, and sent them home free: how few such like can an English Historiographer write of? I would we had such a Gilianus amongst vs, so it were not from Rome. Well then, let the Couetous remember his end, and the end of his riches, how certaine, how vncertaine they are! And intend his couertice to a better obiect. Quis alius noster est finis, quam peruenire ad regnum cuius nullus est 3finis? What else should bee our end, saue to come to the kingdome that hath no end! His cure is set downe by God: I leaue the receate with him. They that will be rich, fall into 4temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and noysome lusts, which drowne men in perdition and destruction. For the loue of money is the roote of all euill, &c. But thou, O man of God, flie these things, and follow after righteousnesse, &c. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they bee not high minded, nor trust in vncertain riches, &c. but that they be rich in good works, &c.
- 1Si quem divitem efficere voles, non est quod opes augeas, sed tollas cupiditatem.Si quem diuitem efficere voles, non est quod opes augeas, sed tollas cupiditatem.
- 2Eph. 5. Lomb. Polychron. lib. 5. cap. 10.
- 3Aug de civit. lib. 22. cap. 30.Aug de ciuit. lib. 22. cap. 30.
- 41. Tim. 6. 9. 10. 11. 17.
