§. 29. Direct. 8. Remember how dear it costeth men, thus to hinder their salvation, and greaten their 1danger and accounts. What a deal of precious Time is lost upon the world by the Lovers of it, which might have been improved to the getting of Wisdom and Grace, and making their calling and election2 sure. If you had believed that the gain of holy wisdom, had been so much better than the gaining of Gold, as Solomon saith, Pr•v. 3. 14. you would have laid out much of that time in labouring to understand the Scriptures, and preparing for your endless life. How many unnecessary Thought• have you cast away upon the world, which might better have been laid out on your greater concernments? How many •ares, and vexations, and passions doth it cost men, to overload themselves with worldly provisions? Like a foolish traveller, who having a days journey to go, doth spend all the day in gathering together a load of m•at, and clothes and money, more than he can carry, for fear of wanting by the way: or like a foolish runner that hath a race to run for his life, and spends3 the time in which he should be running, in gathering a burden of pretended necessaries. You have all the while Gods work to do, and your souls to mind, and judgement to prepare for, and you are tiring and vexing your selves for unnecessary things; as if it were the top of your ambition, to be able to say in Hell, that you dyed rich, 1 Tim. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Godliness with contentment is great gain: For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content: But they that will be Rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition: For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred (or been seduced) from the •aith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Piercing sorrows here, and damnation hereafter, are a very dear price to give for money. For saith Christ himself, What shall it profit a man to gain all the world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? that is, What money or price will recover it, if for the love of gain he lose it? Mark 8. 36, 37. Prov. 15. 27. He that is greedy of gain, troubleth his own house, but he that hateth gifts, shall live.
§. 29. Direct. 8. Remember how dear it costeth men, thus to hinder their salvation, and greaten their 1danger and accounts. What a deal of precious Time is lost upon the world by the Lovers of it, which might have been improved to the getting of Wisdom and Grace, and making their calling and election2 sure. If you had believed that the gain of holy wisdom, had been so much better than the gaining of Gold, as Solomon saith, Pr•v. 3. 14. you would have laid out much of that time in labouring to understand the Scriptures, and preparing for your endless life. How many unnecessary Thought• have you cast away upon the world, which might better have been laid out on your greater concernments? How many •ares, and vexations, and passions doth it cost men, to overload themselves with worldly provisions? Like a foolish travell•r, who having a dayes journey to go, doth spend all the day in gathering together a load of m•at, and clothes and money, more than he can carry, for fear of wanting by the way: or like a foolish runner that hath a race to run for his life, and spends3 the time in which he should be running, in gathering a burden of pretended necessaries. You have all the while Gods work to do, and your souls to mind, and judgement to prepare for, and you are tiring and vexing your selves for unnecessary things; as if it were the top of your ambition, to be able to say in Hell, that you dyed rich, 1 Tim. 6. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Godliness with contentment is great gain: For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content: But they that will be Rich, fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition: For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have erred (or been seduced) from the •aith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. Piercing sorrows here, and damnation hereafter, are a very dear price to give for money. For saith Christ himself, What shall it profit a man to gain all the world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? that is, What money or price will recover it, if for the love of gain he lose it?
- 1Direct. 8.
- 2[…]. 2〈…〉. 2
- 3Saith Plutarch▪ […]. ••••n Alexander wept because he was not Lord of the world, when C•at•s having but a Wall •• and a threadbare Cloak, spent his whole life in m•r•h and joy, as if it had been a continual festival holiday. Psal. 37. 16. Prov 16. 8.Saith Plutar•h▪ 〈…〉. ••••n Alexan•er wept because he was not Lord of the world, when C•at•s having but a Wall •• and a thredbare Cloke, spent his whole life in m•r•h and joy, as if it had been a continual festival holyday. Psal. 37. 16. Prov 16. 8.
