Prototypes, or, The primary precedent presidents out of the book of Genesis showing, the…Prototypes, or, The primarie precedent presidents out of the booke of Genesis shewing, the…

You see, that we should so dis-value riches, as freely to cast them away and deny our selves of them, rather then incur any reproach or disgrace for them, even though the imputation would be unjust. Should not all men labour to have as generous a mind as Abraham? Sure, we should strive for the perfection of virtue which hath been found in the Saints. It cannot be said yet, Abraham should have sinned if he had taken this spoil, neither was he bound so much to the Sodomite, as to afford him either persons or goods: but he considered before hand, that some aspersion of covetousness would have been cast upon him, if he should have possessed himself of this wealth, and therefore he binds himself from it by a vow. Noble Abraham, that regardest due esteem rather then great riches, and wouldst let go so fair a morsel, rather then incur any the least show of disgrace for worldliness. Why should not we be followers of Abraham his virtues? Why should we use means to get wealth joined with apparent reproach? such as would set the mouths of all men on talking against us, more then this fact would have filled the mouth of Chedarlaomer with talk against Abraham: O what a business of mind is this news? and how doth it show our inordinate affection to riches more then to a good name? which yet is to be preferred above all treasures, if we would hearken to Solomon. I conclude, that we must show our true magnanimity, by slighting great abundance of outward things, so as that no man might ever have cause to grudge against us, that these riches which should have been his if all things had been fairly carried, have made us rich, especially let no man grow rich by taking forfeitures of poor men, it is worse to use extremity to a mean person then to a great.

You see, that we should so dis-valew riches, as freely to cast them away and deny our selves of them, rather then incurre any reproach or disgrace for them, even though the imputation would be unjust. Should not all men labour to have as generous a minde as Abraham? Sure, we should strive for the perfection of vertue which hath beene found in the Saints. It cannot be said yet, Abraham should have sinned if he had taken this spoyle, neither was hee bound so much to the Sodomite, as to affoord him either persons or goods: but he considered before hand, that some aspersion of covetousnesse would have beene cast upon him, if he should have possessed himselfe of this wealth, and therefore he bindes himselfe from it by a vow. Noble Abraham, that regardest due esteeme rather then great riches, and wouldst let goe so faire a morsell, rather then incurre any the least shew of disgrace for worldlinesse. Why should not we be followers of Abraham his vertues? Why should we use meanes to get wealth joyned with apparent reproach? such as would set the mouthes of all men on talking against us, more then this fact would have filled the mouth of Chedarlaomer with talke against Abraham: O what a businesse of minde is this newes? and how doth it shew our inordinate affection to riches more then to a good name? which yet is to be preferred above all treasures, if we would hearken to Salomon. I conclude, that we must shew our true magnanimity, by sleighting great abundance of outward things, so as that no man might ever have cause to grudge against us, that these riches which should have beene his if all things had beene fairely carried, have made us rich, especially let no man grow rich by taking forfeitures of poore men, it is worse to use extremity to a meane person then to a great.