The sacrifice of thankfulness A sermon preached at Pauls Cross, the third of December,…The sacrifice of thankefulnesse A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse, the third of December,…

How this Sickness grovels a man! how it stoops him into Earth, into Hell! This Disease lies in mens Bones. I have read of a Beggar, that passed by a company of Rich men, and earnestly besought their Alms, complaining that he had a secret Disease lying in his Bones, that he could not earn his living: They in charity gave him somewhat, and let him go. One among the rest following him, would needs know of him, what that secret Disease should be, seeing that outwardly he seemed to ail nothing. Quoth the Beggar, you cannot see it, for it lies in my Bones; and some call it Idleness. You see many a Rich man, whose cup of Wealth runs over: you wonder to see him so miserable, both to himself and others. Why, there is a Disease that lies in his Bones; that keeps him from working the works of Charity, from relieving his distressed Brethren: you may call it Covetousness. They will part with any thing, so they may keep their Gold. But we must give our Gold too, with the rest: If we offer not all, Christ will accept none.

How this Sicknesse grouels a man! how it stoupes him into Earth, into Hell! This Disease lyes in mens Bones. I haue read of a Beggar, that passed by a company of Rich men, and earnestly besought their Almes, complayning that hee had a secret Disease lying in his Bones, that hee could not earne his lyuing: They in charity gaue him somewat, and let him goe. One among the rest following him, would needes know of him, what that secret Disease should be, seeing that outwardly hee seemed to ayle nothing. Quoth the Beggar, you cannot see it, for it lyes in my Bones; and some call it Idlenesse. You see many a Rich man, whose cuppe of Wealth runnes ouer: you wonder to see him so miserable, both to himselfe and others. Why, there is a Disease that lyes in his Bones; that keepes him from working the workes of Charitie, from relieuing his distressed Brethren: you may call it Couetousnesse. They will part with any thing, so they may keepe their Gold. But we must giue our Gold too, with the rest: If wee offer not all, Christ will accept none.

I will end with a Consolation; for who can shut up this Story with a terror? The Lord will so graciously provide for his, that in their greatest extremity they shall not be destitute of comfort. Though Mary travel in her Travel; for she was delivered in Bethlehem, whither she came to be taxed (