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…

Now it being here restrained to such good works as it is proper for rich men, as rich men, to exercise; and being after explained by the words [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew], I shall take it here in the ⟨p. 31⟩more contracted sense for a Direction touching the right use of riches, which is, to make them the materials of good works, that we may be profitable unto men. As God hath made us not only for our selves, but to glorify him, and to serve our generation; so when he supplieth us with provisions, wherewith we may act towards those public ends, he requireth that his gifts should be used, not only for our own domestical interests, but for his honour, and the good of others. Rich men have their wealth as the Sun hath light, or the Fire heat, to communicate unto others. And of all things, riches should be so employed, because their whole use is in motion. Some things put forth their virtue most when they rest and stand still. The Earth keeps its place, and yet is fruitful. Motion debilitates the virtue of some agents, and hindereth the fixing of their impressions: But the whole good that money doth, all the efficacy that it hath, is while it is in motion, and passing from hand to hand. It is as insignificant in a Worldlings Chest, as when it lies in the Bowels of the Earth. We call it current money, to note that the use of it is while it is in cursu.

Now it being here restrained to such good works as it is proper for rich men, as rich men, to exercise; and being after explained by the words 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, I shall take it here in the ⟨p. 31⟩more contracted sense for a Direction touching the right use of riches, which is, to make them the materials of good works, that we may be profitable unto men. As God hath made us not onely for our selves, but to glorifie him, and to serve our generation; so when he supplieth us with provisions, wherewith we may act towards those publick ends, he requireth that his gifts should be used, not onely for our own domestical interests, but for his honor, and the good of others. Rich men have their wealth as the Sun hath light, or the Fire heat, to communicate unto others. And of all things, riches should be so imployed, because their whole use is in motion. Some things put forth their vertue most when they rest and stand still. The Earth keeps its place, and yet is fruitful. Motion debilitates the vertue of some agents, and hindreth the fixing of their impressions: But the whole good that money doth, all the efficacy that it hath, is while it is in motion, and passing from hand to hand. It is as insignificant in a Worldlings Chest, as when it lies in the Bowels of the Earth. We call it current money, to note that the use of it is while it is in cursu.