Sermons upon Deuteronomy

So then let us remember in few words, that whereas our Lord forbade kings to hoard up great treasures, it was not for that it is not lawful for them to be rich, so their hearts incline not to pride, vainglory, and covetousness, and that they use not any tyranny over their subjects, but only take that which is offered them as it were by the hand of God, & content themselves therewith, applying the same unto good. For we see in what taking king Hezekiah was.¹ Albeit that he had not the third part of Davids revenue, by reason of the cutting away of the kingdom of Israel: yet had he his chambers so well furnished and stored, that he made a show and a boasting of it when Ambassadors were sent unto him from Babylon, commending and setting out himself, to the end that the king of the Chaldees should be desirous of his friendship. But we see what befell unto him. The Prophet Isaiah brought him this message: Go too (sayeth he) thou hast made a show this day of thy gold and silver, and of the precious things which thou hast; but assure thy self thou hast kindled a fire which shall never be quenched, until the Babylonians have fetched away all that thou hast, so as there shall not remain one piece of money in Jerusalem, but all shall be sacked and pilled away: and we see how the same punishment was executed afterward.² And this example showeth us sufficiently wherefore God forbade kings to gather much gold and silver. For when Princes have such treasures, they can hardly keep themselves from being provoked to vaunt and exalt themselves continually after some manner or other. Forasmuch as it is so, let us learn that in this place God meant to hold the kings of Israel within some measure and mean degree, that they might not look too high.

So then let vs remember in fewe wordes, that whereas our Lorde forbad kings to hoorde vp great treasures, it was not for that it is not lawfull for them to be riche, so their heartes inclyne not to pride, vaynglorie, and couetousnes, and that they vse not any tyrannie ouer their subiectes, but onely take that which is offered them as it were by the hande of God, & content themselues therewith, applying the same vnto good. For wee see in what taking king Ezechias was.¹ Albeit that hee had not the thirde parte of Dauids reuenewe, by reason of the cutting away of the kingdome of Israell: yet had hee his chambers so well furnished and stored, that hee made a shewe and a boasting of it when Ambassadours were sent vnto him from Babylon, commending and setting out himselfe, to the ende that the king of the Chaldyes shoulde bee desirous of his friendship. But wee see what befell vnto him. The Prophet Esay brought him this message: Go too (sayeth hee) thou hast made a showe this day of thy gold and siluer, and of the precious thinges which thou hast; but assure thy selfe thou hast kindled a fire which shall neuer bee quenched, vntill the Babylonians haue fetched away all that thou hast, so as there shall not remaine one peece of money in Ierusalem, but all shalbee sacked and pilled away: and wee see howe the same punishment was executed afterwarde.