Diseases of the soul a discourse divine, moral, and physical. By Tho. AdamsDiseases of the soule a discourse diuine, morall, and physicall. By Tho. Adams

Cure.

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