An other way,1 wrongs be done unto man: when ⟨image 65⟩the rich and sturdy of the world, by abusing of friendship, oppress, rob and spoil the poor. And by his thus doing, first he deceiveth him self: for evil gotten goods can not long prosper, neither can any family advanced by fraud, craft, or subtlety long time endure. Then he deceiveth the simple and poor that trusteth upon the outward show of his port and estimation: which glittereth in the world as a vain, glorious, and deceivable beauty, and honour: and marketh neither how wickedly the glory of the robber and doer of wrong sprang up, nor how miserably God hath ordained it to fall again. But seeing carnally he seeth a vain man in vanity, prosper for a time, he trusteth in this vanity pampered up with robbery and wrong, until such time as vanity vadeth, and he much lamenteth that put in vanity, so much vain hope. But grant that honour and riches by Gods gift and trueth, abound: yet were they not given for men to trust in,2 but for men to give GOD more thanks, and to help the poor with them, from injuries of oppression, and need of hunger, thirst, and poverty. Therefore the Prophet saith, Although riches do abound: yet men should not put their hearts upon them. That is to say, men should not trust in them, nor keep them otherwise, then their use or keeping should serve to the glory of God: in abundance to be liberal: and in time of need to be careful: not to keep them for a private commodity: but as Joseph did say, to save the multitude from scarcity and penury. Thus doeth the Prophet exhort all men to beware they put not their trust in men:3 for both they and all that they have of worldly things, be transitory, vain, and inconstant.
An other way,1 wrongs be done vnto man: when ⟨image 65⟩the riche and sturdie of the worlde, by abusing of friendship, oppresse, robbe and spoyle the poore. And by his thus doing, first he deceiueth him selfe: for euill gotten goods can not long prosper, neither can any familie aduaunced by fraude, crafte, or subtiltie long time endure. Then he deceiueth the simple and poore that trusteth vpon the outward shewe of his port and estimation: which glittereth in the worlde as a vaine, glorious, and deceiuable beautie, and honour: and marketh neither howe wickedly the glorie of the robber and doer of wrong sprang vp, nor howe miserably God hath ordeined it to fall againe. But séeing carnally he séeth a vaine man in vanitie, prosper for a time, he trusteth in this vanitie pampered vp with robberie and wrong, vntill suche time as vanitie vadeth, and he much lamenteth that put in vanitie, so much vaine hope. But graunt that honour and riches by Gods gift and trueth, abound: yet were they not giuen for men to trust in,2 but for men to giue GOD more thankes, and to helpe the poore with them, from iniuries of oppression, and néede of hunger, thirst, and pouertie. Therefore the Prophete saith, Although riches doe abound: yet men should not put their heartes vpon them. That is to say, men should not trust in them, nor kéepe thē otherwise, then their vse or kéeping should serue to the glorie of God: in aboundance to be liberall: and in time of néede to be carefull: not to kéepe them for a priuate commoditie: but as Iosephe did say, to saue the multitude from scarsitie and penurie. Thus doeth the Prophete exhort all men to beware they put not their trust in men:3 for both they and all that they haue of worldly things, be transitorie, vaine, and inconstant.
- 1Wrong done unto man.Wrong done vnto man.
- 2Why riches are given unto man.Why riches are giuen vnto man.
- 3Gene. 4.
