A16333:408
Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell,…Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell,…
Mr. Bolton's last and learned work of the four last things death, judgement, hell, and heaven. With an assizes-sermon, and notes on Justice Nicolls his funeral. Together with the life and death of the author. Published by E.B.Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things death, iudgement, hell, and heauen. With an assises-sermon, and notes on Iustice Nicolls his funerall. Together with the life and death of the authour. Published by E.B.
London: printed by George Miller, 1632
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Besides, covetousness pierceth through the soul with a thousand torments, and the riches of ⟨p. 231⟩iniquity engender in the heart of man many tortures, envies and molestations, as their proper thunderbolt and blasting. And of all other vile affections it is most sottishly and senslesly unsatiable, Eccles. 4. 8. For, how is it possible that earth should feed or fill the immaterial and heaven born spirit of a man? It cannot be: and the Spirit of GOD hath said it shall not be; Eccles. 5. 9. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, &c. Hence it is, that the deeplier the drowsy heart of this covetous man doth drink of this golden stream, the more furiously it is inflamed with spiritual thirst. Nay, it is most certain, that if the covetous man could purchase a monopoly of all the wealth in the world; were he able to empty the Western parts of gold and silver; and the East of pearls and jewels; should he enclose the whole face of the earth from one end of heaven to the other; and heap his hoards unto the stars: yet his heart would be as hungry after more riches, as if he had never a penny, and much more: Such is GODS curse upon that man which makes his gold his god. And this insatiableness in the covetous man begets cruelty and oppression of others, and perpetual want of contentment and comfort in that he hath already. Sweetness of gain makes him many times drink the blood & eat the flesh of the oppressed. He begins first (if he be of power and place) to grind the faces of the poor; then to pluck of their skins, then to tear their flesh, then to break their bones, and chop them in pieces as flesh for the pot, and at last even to eat the flesh of GODS ⟨p. 232⟩people. That is; first to weary them out with petty wrongs and extraordinary occasions, to vex them with new conditions, and unconscionable encroachments: and at last to wring their pensive souls from their wasted and hunger-starved bodies, with extremity of oppression, and cruelty of covetousness. And that which is a just curse upon the covetous man; he is ever infinitely more tormented with the want of that which he doth immoderately and unnecessarily desire, than contented and comforted with the enjoyment of those things he doth presently possess.