The crucifying of the world

Of any kind of covetousness, there is none more plausibly pretended against works of Charity, then that of some Ministers, that can spare no money, because their Libraries are yet unfurnished with many Books which they would fain have. Yet here we must see, that greater works be not for this omitted. Saith Seneca (de Tranquil.) Studiorum quoque quae liberalissima impensa est, tamdiu rationem habebo, quamdiu modum. Quo mihi innumerabiles libros & bibliothecas, quorum Dominus vix tota vita sua indices perlegit? Onerat discentem turba, non instruit: multoque saitius est paucis te authoribus tradere, quam errare per multos.—Studiosa haec luxuria; imo ne studiosa quidem, quoniam non in studium, sed in spectaculum.—Paretur librorum quantum satis sit; nihil in apparatum—Vitiosum est, ubique quod nimium est.]

Yea more, let me tell you all, and beseech you to consider it: It is your duty even to pinch your flesh, and spare it from your back and belly, that you may have wherewithal to do good. Its no thanks to you to relieve others out of that which you need not your selves: and to give God that which your flesh can spare. Such liberality may stand with little suffering or self-denial; and therefore will be but a poor proof of your grace. Had I ten thousand pound a year, I should think it my duty for all that, to pinch my flesh, that I might spare as much of it as is possible for God. David ⟨image 26⟩would not offer that to God which cost him nothing, 2 Sam. 24. 24. If you fare the hardlyer, and go the plainer in your attire, and deny your selves that which is for any needless pomp or ostentation, or splendour in the world; that you may have so much the more to do good with; you deal then like good husbands for God and your souls, and faithful Stewards. Why should a covetous Miser pinch his flesh more to gather Riches for himself and his posterity, then you should do to gather it for God, and to expend it on the Church and poor? Be as frugal as they; but not to the same end; so you use it for God and your poor Brethren, an honest parsimony and gathering is a duty; and such an holy covetousness is so far from condemnable, that it is the truest Charity, which God and all wise men will most applaud. I do not mean only to deny your flesh in gross excesses, but to pinch it by a just frugality and abstinence: And yet you shall not say that I am drawing you to extremes. I would not have you so far pinch your flesh as to disable it for duty, but to deny it whatsoever doth not some way help it for duty, that we may not feed our own unnecessary delights, though with a seeming decorum & moderation, while so many about us are pinched with the want of necessaries, and so many public excellent works are calling for our help. The flesh is to be tamed, and humbled, and brought in subjection, and scanted when greater things require it, but not to be destroyed and made unserviceable. [Infid huic corp ri quomodo conjunctus sim, haud equidem scio: quoque pacto simul & imago Dei sim, & cum coeno voluter: quod & cum pulchra valetudine est, bello me lacessit, & cum bello premitur, maerore me afficit: quod, & ut conservum amo, & ut inmicum odi atque aversor: