2. That which they have, it is of a very low nature; this would be an argument, we might philosophize in, if it were fit, or if we had time, but I'll quickly pass over these things, it's of a very low nature, it not much concerns the soul, all the portion they have; Therefore saith the Text here, Thou fillest their belly; it's but a belly full; what is that to the soul? Indeed the rich man in the Gospel could say, Soul, take thy ease, for thou hast goods laid up for many years, eat, drink, &c. Wilt thou say, Soul, take thy ease, because thou hast goods laid up, and because you may eat, and drink? What is all this to the soul? Ambrose hath such a speech upon the place, If the man had the soul of a swine, what could be said otherwise? for indeed these things were suitable to the soul of a swine: you shall find that a man is not the better, because of outward things, not a whit; the heart of the wicked is little worth; his estate may be somewhat worth, his house may be somewhat worth, his lands may be somewhat worth; But the heart of the wicked is little worth, Prov. 10. And would not you think it to be a great evil, if so be that when you go up and down abroad, you should certainly know, that there is no man doth give you any entertainment, or any respect, but it is for your servants sake that tends upon you, would not that discourage you, and trouble you? Indeed you come to such a mans house, and he seems to make you welcome, and you have entertainment; I but you come to know afterwards, that it was not for your sake, but for your servants sake that be loved; would you think you had a good entertainment there? the truth is, so all the respect you have in this world, it is for ⟨p. 331⟩your servants sake, for your goods, house, and lands, it is not for any worth that is in you. It was a speech that Socrates spake once, to one Achilous, when he had a fine house, and a many brave things there (saith he) There are many come to see thy house, and thy fine things there, but no body comes to see thee; they know there is a worth in thy fine house, and in thy fine furniture, but they see no worth in thee. Indeed all these things are not souls meat, it is not mans meat they feed upon, it is but ashes, it is nothing to the soul of man. Further:
2. That which they have, it is of a very low nature; this would be an argument, we might phylosophize in, if it were fit, or if we had time, but I'le quickly pass over these things, it's of a very low nature, it not much concerns the soul, all the portion they have; Therefore saith the Text here, Thou fillest their belly; it's but a belly full; what is that to the soul? Indeed the rich man in the Gospel could say, Soul, take thy ease, for thou hast goods laid up for many yeers, eat, drink, &c. Wilt thou say, Soul, take thy ease, because thou hast goods laid up, and because you may eat, and drink? What is all this to the soul? Ambrose hath such a speech upon the place, If the man had the soul of a swine, what could be said otherwise? for indeed these things were sutable to the soul of a swine: you shall find that a man is not the better, because of outward things, not a whit; the heart of the wicked is little worth; his estate may be somewhat worth, his house may be somewhat worth, his lands may be somewhat worth; But the heart of the wicked is little worth, Prov. 10. And would not you think it to be a great evil, if so be that when you go up and down abroad, you should certainly know, that there is no man doth give you any entertainment, or any respect, but it is for your servants sake that tends upon you, would not that discourage you, and trouble you? Indeed you come to such a mans house, and he seems to make you welcome, and you have entertainment; I but you come to know afterwards, that it was not for your sake, but for your servants sake that be loved; would you think you had a good entertainment there? the truth is, so all the respect you have in this world, it is for ⟨p. 331⟩your servants sake, for your goods, house, and lands, it is not for any worth that is in you. It was a speech that Socrates spake once, to one Achilous, when he had a fine house, and a many brave things there (saith he) There are many come to see thy house, and thy fine things there, but no body comes to see thee; they know there is a worth in thy fine house, and in thy fine furniture, but they see no worth in thee. Indeed all these things are not souls meat, it is not mans meat they feed upon, it is but ashes, it is nothing to the soul of man. Further:
