The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

if it, cheer up thy heart, when thou doest increase them, then thou art covetous, though thou see it not, thy mind is on thy money, though thou perceive it not. Let us see in this one particular¹ point: thou hast much corn to sell, dearth of corn would be commodious unto thee, and yet hurtful unto thy poor brother, and to the whole land: Now if thou wouldest wish dearth for thy own profits sake, though it would be a hinderance to the whole Church; if thou rejoice more in thine own gain, then thou canst be sorrowful for thy brothers harm; if thy gain do make thee through pride, to advance thy self above thy brother, then doubtless, thy heart is sore infected with corrupted covetousness. Contrariwise, if it be cheap, and thou canst be more glad for the profit of many, then thou art grieved for thy own loss, or if it be dear, yet thou canst wish from thine heart, that it were cheap; then thou mayest safely say, that covetousness prevaileth not against thee, it ruleth not in thy heart, yea, by this thou mayest see, that thine hart is rightly affected, both to God and to thy brethren.

if it, cheere vp thy heart, when thou doest increase them, then thou art couetous, though thou see it not, thy minde is on thy mony, thogh thou perceiue it not. Let vs see in this one particular¹ point: thou hast much corne to sell, dearth of corne would be commodious vnto thee, and yet hurtfull vnto thy poore brother, and to the whole land: Now if thou wouldest wish dearth for thy owne profites sake, though it would be a hinderance to the whole Church; if thou reioyce more in thine owne gaine, then thou canst be sorrowfull for thy brothers harme; if thy gaine do make thee through pride, to aduance thy selfe aboue thy brother, then doubtles, thy heart is sore infected with corrupted couetousnes. Contrarywise, if it be cheape, and thou canst bee more glad for the profite of manie, then thou art grieued for thy owne losse, or if it bee deare, yet thou canst wish from thine heart, that it were cheape; then thou mayest safely say, that couetousnes preuaileth not against thee, it ruleth not in thy heart, yea, by this thou maiest see, that thine hart is rightly affected, both to God and to thy brethren.

1. 1How to discover a covetous heart.