Solomon proceedeth in condemning riches, that is to say, the cark and care of gathering and keeping of riches. For the more a covetous body gathereth riches, the more his mind is desired and inflamed. Always a covetous body is in need, and in the middle of his goods wanteth, yea covetousness is such a monster saith Sallust, that neither with plenty, nor dainty it is diminished. And as an other saith: The love of money increaseth, even as the money it self increaseth. Among these miseries of a covetous man, he rehearseth yet one other. Though a covetous man be never so full, yet he can not sleep. So that all manner of ways a covetous mans life is miserable, being at rest neither day nor night. For nature hath so ordained that the body being temperately dieted and refreshed, sleepeth sweetly and quietly. ⟨p. 89⟩For Drunkards neither sleep nor wake, being nether dead nor alive. And he ye laboureth moderately, sleepeth quietly, although he eat but a little, as was said: Man goeth forth to his labour until the Evening. The covetous continueth his labour, even until midnight wearying, and breaking his body. The body therefore of the covetous overcharged with meat, and tired with labour, and the mind troubled with cares, will not let him to sleep, or take rest.1 Therefore seeing Solomon saith to him that laboureth, he commandeth to labour, & forbiddeth not to get goods. And where he saith: Sleep is sweet, he requireth moderate labour, such as exerciseth the body, but tyreth it not. Therefore he appointeth to labour, and forbiddeth to be covetous and careful. For the blessing of the Lord maketh rich men, and not continual toil and labour, as is said in the 126. Psalm. It is but lost labour that you rise so early, &c. Again Thus God giveth his beloved sleep. Thus Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, were made rich through gods gift and blessing. And they so used their ⟨image 91⟩riches, that other were relieved also by them.
SAlomon procedeth in condēning riches, that is to say, the carke and care of gathering and keeping of riches. For the more a couetous body gathereth riches, the more his mynde is desyred and enflamed. Alwayes a couetous body is in neede, and in the myddle of his goodes wanteth, yea couetousnes is such a monster sayth Salust, that neither with plenty, nor daintye it is diminished. And as an other sayth: The loue of money encreaseth, euen as the money it selfe encreaseth. Among these miseries of a couetous man, he rehearseth yet one other. Though a couetous man be neuer so full, yet he can not sleepe. So that all maner of waies a couetous mans lyfe is miserable, being at rest neyther day nor night. For nature hath so ordeyned that the body being temperately dyeted and refreshed, sleapeth sweetely and quietly. ⟨p. 89⟩For Drūkards neyther sléepe nor wake, being nether deade nor alyue. And he ye laboureth moderately, sleepeth quietly, although he eate but a lytle, as was said: Man goeth furth to his labour vntill the Euening. The couetous continueth his labour, euen vntill midnight wearieng, and breaking his body. The body therefore of the couetous ouercharged with meate, and tyred with labour, and the mynde troubled with cares, will not let him to sleepe, or take rest.1 Therfore seing Salomon sayth to him that laboureth, he commaundeth to labour, & forbyddeth not to get goods. And where he sayth: Sleepe is sweete, he requireth moderate labour, such as exerciseth the body, but tyreth it not. Therfore he appointeth to labour, and forbyddeth to be couetous and carefull. For the blessing of the Lord maketh rich men, and not continuall toyle and labour, as is sayde in the 126. Psalme. It is but loste labour that you rise so early, &c. Againe Thus God geueth his beloued sleepe. Thus Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, Dauid, Salomon, were made rich through gods gyft and blessing. And they so vsed their ⟨image 91⟩riches, that other were relieued also by them.
- 1Moderate labour commanded.Moderate labour commaunded.
