Lastly let us take a view of Riches, the ordinarily most adored Idol of all the rest. The wise man says first in general, neither Riches nor yet abundance of Riches will satisfy the soul of man. Eccl. 5. 10. This he more particularly explains. First, from the sharers which the increase of them doth naturally draw after it. vers. 11. and between the Owners and the sharers there is no difference but this, an empty speculation, one sees as his own, what the other enjoys to those real purposes for which they serve as well as he. Secondly, from the unquietness which naturally grows by the increase of them, which makes an ordinary drudge in that respect more happy. vers. 12. Thirdly, from the hurt which usually, without some due corrective they bring. vers. 13. either they hurt a man in himself, being strong temptations and materials too of pride, vain-glory, covetousness, luxury, intemperance, forgetfulness of God, love of the world, and by these of disorder, dissoluteness, and diseases in the body; or else at least they expose him to the envy, accusations, violences of wicked men. Fourthly from their uncertainty of abode, they perish by an evil travel, either Gods curse,1 or some particular humour, lust, or project overturns a great estate, and posterity is beggared. Fifthly from the certainty of an everlasting separation from them. vers. 15. 16. and this he saith is a sore evil, which galls the heart of a worldly man, that hath resolved upon no other heaven then his wealth, when sickness comes to snatch him ⟨p. 73⟩away from this his Idol, there is not only sorrow, but wrath and •ury in him. vers. 17. Sixthly, from the disability to use or enjoy them, when a man through inordinate love, or distrustful providence, or sordidness of spirit, or encumbrances of employments, will not while he lives enjoy his abundance, and when he dies hath not, either by his own covetous prevention, or his successors inhumanity, an honourable burial. Chap. 6. vers. 1. 2. 3. Seventhly, from the narrowness of any satisfaction which can be received from them, vers. 7. All the wealth a man hath can reach no higher then the filling of his mouth, then the outward services of the body, the desires of the soul remain empty still. A glutton may fill his belly, but he cannot fill his lust;
Lastly let us take a view of Riches, the ordinarily most adored Idol of all the rest. The wise man saies first in generall, neither Riches nor yet abundance of Riches will satisfie the soule of man. Eccl. 5. 10. This he more particularly explanes. First, from the sharers which the encrease of them doth naturally draw after it. vers. 11. and betweene the Owners and the sharers there is no difference but this, an emptie speculation, one sees as his owne, what the other enjoyes to those reall purposes for which they serve as well as he. Secondly, from the unquietnes which naturally growes by the encrease of them, which makes an ordinarie drudge in that respect more happy. vers. 12. Thirdly, from the hurt which usually, without some due corrective they bring. vers. 13. either they hurt a man in himselfe, being strong temptations and materials too of pride, vaine-glory, couetousnesse, luxurie, intemperance, forgetfulnesse of God, love of the world, and by these of disorder, dissolutenesse, and diseases in the body; or else at least they expose him to the envie, accusations, violences of wicked men. Fourthly from their uncertainty of abode, they perish by an evill travell, either Gods curse,1 or some particular humour, lust, or project overturnes a great estate, and posterity is beggerd. Fifthly from the certainty of an everlasting separation from them. vers. 15. 16. and this he saith is a sore evill, which galles the heart of a worldly man, that hath resolved upon no other heaven then his wealth, when sicknes comes to snatch him ⟨p. 73⟩away from this his Idoll, there is not onely sorrow, but wrath and •ury in him. vers. 17. Sixthly, from the disability to use or enjoy them, when a man through inordinate love, or distrustfull providence, or sordidnesse of spirit, or encumbrances of employments, will not while he lives enjoy his abundance, and when he dies hath not, either by his owne covetous prevention, or his successors inhumanity, an honorable buriall. Chap. 6. vers. 1. 2. 3. Seventhly, from the narrownesse of any satisfaction which can be received from them, vers. 7. All the wealth a man hath can reach no higher then the filling of his mouth, then the outward services of the body, the desires of the soule remaine empty still. A glutton may fill his belly, but he cannot fill his lust;
- 1See Jo• 20. 15.—29.See Io• 20. 15.—29.
