First, the Rich, that they content not themselves with their worldly wealth, but that they seek withal to get the true spiritual Riches, that athemselves may be rich, and not their purse or their chest only; that they may not be brich to the world only, but rich also to God. Else their earthly Gain will prove their loss; their worldly wealth will be but a means to hinder their happiness by keeping them out of Heaven, where alone is true and entire happiness to be had. It is that which our Saviour himself saith of the worldly. Rich man, that hath nothing to trust unto but his riches: (for so to his Apostles che expoundeth it himself:) that dIt is easier for e a Camel; or, as some read the word, fa cable rope, to pass through the eye of a Needle, than for such a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. As if our Saviour should have said; It is as easy a matter, nay an easier, to thread a small Spanish Needle with a thick Cable, or a great Cart-rope, then to ⟨p. 25⟩get such a Rich man in at heaven gate: gThat great bunched beast, a Camel, may as soon, yea sooner be driven through an needles narrow eye, than such a rich man be drawn unto God, and be brought into the state of Grace. For so the most and the best read it; and it is an ordinary by word both with Syrians & Greeks, when they speak of a thing that they think altogether impossible, to say, hAn Elephant, or a Camel may as soon creep through an Needles eye, as this or that come to pass. But not so soon, saith our Saviour, but isooner may that be done, which kwith man is altogether impossible, than such worldly rich men attain to true happiness. lChrist (saith the Apostle) became poor, to make us Rich. mHow became he poor? saith one of the Ancients: •• how maketh he us rich? The same Apostle (saith […] showeth us, and expoundeth himself, where he saith; nHe that knew no sin, for our sake became sin, by taking upon him the guilt of our sin, that we might become the oRighteousness of God in him. And indeed, to speak properly and precisely, as the truth is, *not as the world, but as God reckoneth, pthe only poverty is Sinfulness, and qRighteousness the right Riches.
First, the Rich, that they content not themselues with their worldly wealth, but that they seeke withall to get the true spirituall Riches, that athemselues may be rich, and not their purse or their chest only; that they may not be brich to the world onely, but rich also to God. Else their earthly Gaine will proue their losse; their worldly wealth will be but a meanes to hinder their happines by keeping them out of Heauen, where alone is true and entire happinesse to be had. It is that which our Sauiour himselfe saith of the worldly. Rich man, that hath nothing to trust vnto but his riches: (for so to his Apostles che expoundeth it himselfe:) that dIt is easier for e a Camell; or, as some read the word, fa cable rope, to passe through the eye of a Needle, than for such a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven. As if our Sauiour should haue said; It is as easie a matter, nay an easier, to thred a small Spanish Needle with a thicke Cable, or a great Cart-rope, then to ⟨p. 25⟩get such a Rich man in at heauen gate: gThat great bunched beast, a Camell, may as soone, yea sooner be driuen through an needles narrow eye, than such a rich man be drawne vnto God, and be brought into the state of Grace. For so the most and the best reade it; and it is an ordinarie by word both with Syrians & Greeks, when they speake of a thing that they thinke altogither impossible, to say, hAn Elephant, or a Camell may as soone creepe through an Needles eye, as this or that come to passe. But not so soone, saith our Sauiour, but isooner may that be done, which kwith man is altogither impossible, than such worldly rich men attaine to true happinesse. lChrist (saith the Apostle) became poore, to make vs Rich.
- aAnimus hominis dives, non area appellari solet quamai• illa sit plena dun te inanem videbo divitē non pu•abo. Cic. parad. 6. Ex anim• rem stare • quam puto, •ō animam exre. Auson.Animus hominis dives, non area appellari solet quamai• illa sit plena dū te inanem videbo divitē non pu•abo. Cic. parad. 6. Ex anim• rem stare • quam puto, •ō animam exre. Auson.
- bLuk. 12. 21. Est•te Deo divites, nō ••m facturi di•item, sed de •o futuri divite•. Aug. de verb. Dom. 6.Luk. 12. 21. Est•te Deo divites, nō ••m facturi di•item, sed de •o futuri divite•. Aug. de verb. Dom. 6.
- cMark. 10. 24.
- dMath. 10. 24. Mark. 10. 25. Luk. 18. 25.
- f[Greek or Hebrew] Suid, Vise […], & […].〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Suid, Vise , & .
