The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle upon Monday in…The rich mans charge delivered in a sermon at the Spittle vpon Monday in…

Let us now proceed to the matter of the Charge, which is first Negative, and that double. First, That they be not high minded. This notes that there is a secret malignity which riches meeting with corruption, have in them, to lift up mens minds above their due Region. Tyre deified her self, because of her wealth. Thine heart is lifted up, because of thy riches; and thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God, Ezek. 28. 5, 6. According to their pastures so were they filled, they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me, Hos. 13. 5, 6. Whence that Caution which Moses gives unto Israel, Beware, least when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly ⟨p. 18⟩houses, and dwelt therein: And when thine Herds and thy Flocks multiply, and thy Silver and thy Gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, &c. Deut. 8. 12, 13, 14. Men are like Larks, very silent and modest when they are low and on the ground; but in a warm and glorious Sunshine they soar up, and are very clamorous. And though they be never a dram the holier, the nearer to Heaven, the safer from Hell by all their wealth; yet they think highly of themselves, walk with more state, look with more disdain, breathe more scorn, keep more distance, that you would not think such an one a richer only, but another man. Put money into a Bag, and the Bag remains Leather or Canvas still; but if it once get into the heart of a man, he is presently changed, his thoughts of himself greater, and of others meaner then they were before.

Let us now proceed to the matter of the Charge, which is first Negative, and that double. First, That they be not high minded. This notes that there is a secret malignity which riches meeting with corruption, have in them, to lift up mens mindes above their due Region. Tyrus deified her self, because of her wealth. Thine heart is lifted up, because of thy riches; and thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God, Ezek. 28. 5, 6. According to their pastures so were they filled, they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me,