If safety consisted in wealth, and happiness in height, we could not but yield that divers sinful persons were grounded in great safety and happiness: for they have the world at will, & are mounted up to eminent places. And if peril did always accompany ⟨p. 97⟩poverty, and misery likewise a mean condition, who could deny, but that the most of the best men, should ever be found in the worst case, and of all others the most miserable? for that they are commonly poor and base in the world? But if God in his just judgements do lift up his enemies hie, to cast them down the; lower and if his servants take rooting low, that they may grow up the higher then let the wicked take heed of a downfall, and then let the righteous not doubt of a rising. The thirty seven and seventy third Psalms, are treatises wholly upon this argument, besides many other texts of Scripture. And this cometh to pass to both sides. First, in regard of the different, and Reasons. 1 contrary choice which they have made of helpers to themselves. What do sinful persons and wicked men take to be their staves to lean upon, and that with their whole weight? Even fleshly supports, as goods and riches which are slender reeds, that will break, and run into their hands and shoulders, and lay them flat on the ground. These they build upon as a foundation most firm and stable, these they depend upon as friends most sure and faithful: these they trust unto as holds most strong and mighty. And yet is there any thing more uncertain, more deceitful, more weak and feeble then these are? They be fugitive and away they go, when they should stick to a man: they be false and perform nothing that they promise. They say, give us your heart, especially when we increase, we have power to do you all good. But David saith, If riches increase, set not your heart 1thereon God spake once, twice have I heard it, that power belongeth only to God. There was never any Papist, or heathen man more deceived in dumb Idols, then worldlings be in the hope of their money and substance. The images have as much sense to hear, and speak, and deal for them which pray to them, as gold and silver and other treasures have ability in themselves to help them, that make them their gods: and many more are illuded by these, then by the others. And whom do the godly make their refuge?
If safetie consisted in wealth, and happinesse in height, wee could not but yeeld that diuers sinfull persons were grounded in great safety and happinesse: for they haue the world at will, & are mounted vp to eminent places. And if perill did alwayes accompanie ⟨p. 97⟩pouertie, and miserie likewise a meane condition, who could denie, but that the most of the best men, should euer bee found in the worst case, and of all others the most miserable? for that they are commonly poore and base in the world? But if God in his iust iudgements doe lift vp his enemies hie, to cast them downe the; lower and if his seruants take rooting low, that they may grow vp the hier then let the wicked take heede of a downefall, and then let the righteous not doubt of a rising. The thirtie seuen and seuentie third Psalmes, are treatises wholy vpon this argument, besides many other texts of Scripture. And this commeth to passe to both sides. First, in regard of the different, and Reasons. 1 contrarie choise which they haue made of helpers to themselues. What doe sinfull persons and wicked men take to bee their staues to leane vpon, and that with their whole weight? Euen fleshly supports, as goods and riches which are slender reedes, that will breake, and run into their hands and shoulders, and lay them flat on the ground. These they build vpon as a foundation most firme and stable, these they depend vpon as friends most sure and faithfull: these they trust vnto as holds most strong and mightie. And yet is there any thing more vncertaine, more deceitfull, more weake and feeble then these are? They bee fugitiue and away they goe, when they should sticke to a man: they be false and performe nothing that they promise. They say, giue vs your heart, especially when we increase, we haue power to doe you all good. But Dauid saith, If riches increase, set not your heart 1theron God spake once, twice haue I heard it, that power belongeth only to God. There was neuer any Papist, or heathē man more deceiued in dumbe Idols, then worldlings be in the hope of their monie and substance. The images haue as much sense to heare, and speake, and deale for them which pray to them, as gold and siluer and other treasures haue ability in themselues to helpe them, that make them their gods: and many more are illuded by these, then by the others. And whom doe the godly make their refuge?
- 1Psal. 62. 10. 11.
