I am not so much a Cynic, as to plead for affected Poverty, and a disdainful rejecting the gifts of Divine Providence. Such a morose and sour pride I judg worthy to be ⟨image 4⟩chastised not only with the censure of Vanity, but Impiety. We need not shelter our selves under any Monastic vow; nor fly to Deserts, and Solitudes to hide us from the Allurements of the World: This is to run away from that Enemy, whom we ought to conquer. Certainly Religion allows us the possession of earthly Comforts; ⟨image 5⟩only it regulates the Use, and forbids the inordinate Love of them. We may prize them as Comforts, but not as Treasures: And while we employ a due part of our abundance, in the works of a generous Charity, and true Piety, we may well look upon what is left, as a Salary that God gives us for being faithful Stewards of ⟨image 5⟩the rest. Thus to use the World for the Interests of Heaven, to make its enjoyments tributary to Gods Glory, it is to convert and proselyte it; and turn that into an Offering, which others make an Idol. By this we give Earth a Translation; and in a nobler sense than the new System of Astronomy teacheth, advance it to be a Star, ⟨image 6⟩and a Celestial body. And by this Method, we change those helps that Vice had to make it self prodigious and infamous, into the most serviceable Instruments that Virtue can have to make it self conspicuous and exemplary. For Wealth and Honour in a virtuous person, are like the well setting of a Gem, which, though it makes ⟨image 6⟩it not more precious, makes it more sparkling.
I am not so much a Cynick, as to plead for affected Poverty, and a disdainful rejecting the gifts of Divine Providence. Such a morose and sowre pride I judg worthy to be ⟨image 4⟩chastis'd not onely with the censure of Vanity, but Impiety. We need not shelter our selves under any Monastick vow; nor flie to Deserts, and Solitudes to hide us from the Allurements of the World: This is to run away from that Enemy, whom we ought to conquer. Certainly Religion allows us the possession of earthly Comforts; ⟨image 5⟩onely it regulates the Ʋse, and forbids the inordinate Love of them. We may prize them as Comforts, but not as Treasures: And while we imploy a due part of our abundance, in the works of a generous Charity, and true Piety, we may well look upon what is left, as a Salary that God gives us for being faithful Stewards of ⟨image 5⟩the rest. Thus to use the World for the Interests of Heaven, to make its enjoyments tributary to Gods Glory, it is to convert and proselite it; and turn that into an Offring, which others make an Idol. By this we give Earth a Translation; and in a nobler sence than the new Systeme of Astronomy teacheth, advance it to be a Star, ⟨image 6⟩and a Celestial body. And by this Method, we change those helps that Vice had to make it self prodigious and infamous, into the most serviceable Instruments that Vertue can have to make it self conspicuous and exemplary. For Wealth and Honour in a vertuous person, are like the well setting of a Jem, which, though it makes ⟨image 6⟩it not more pretious, makes it more sparkling.
