The young man's guide through the wilderness of this world to the heavenly Canaan…

II. It is not Godliness, but rather the want thereof that often occasioneth poverty. The Wise Man saith expressly, Prov. 23. 21. The Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty. And speaking of the sin of Whoredom saith, Prov. 6. 26. By the means of a Whorish Woman, a man is brought to a piece of Bread; that is, to such extreme poverty, that he hath scarce a piece of bread to eat, but is forced to beg from door to door for a morsel of bread: So that it is Wickedness, and not Holiness, that brings beggary and ruin. There is, I know, a Devilish Proverb, frequent in the mouths of wicked and profane men, That Piety, and Plain Dealing is a Jewel; but he that useth it shall die a Beggar. But much good may it do the unrighteous with all their gettings, the godly shall never be so poor, but that they shall have riches enough.

II. It is not Godliness, but rather the want thereof that often occasioneth poverty. The Wise Man saith expresly, Prov. 23. 21. The Drunkard and the Glutton shall come to poverty. And speaking of the sin of Whoredom saith, Prov. 6. 26. By the means of a Whorish Woman, a man is brought to a piece of Bread; that is, to such extream poverty, that he hath scarce a piece of bread to eat, but is forced to beg from door to door for a morsel of bread: So that it is Wickedness, and not Holiness, that brings beggery and ruine. There is, I know, a Devilish Proverb, frequent in the mouths of wicked and prophane men, That Piety, and Plain Dealing is a Iewel; but he that useth it shall die a Beggar. But much good may it do the unrighteous with all their gettings, the godly shall never be so poor, but that they shall have riches enough.

1. First the Lord hath in his Word made many gracious promises to bless the Righteous, as in their Bodies and Souls, so in their Goods and Estates; as