A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. To trust in any thing more than God, is to make it a God. 1. If we trust in our Riches, then we make Riches our God: We may take Comfort, not put Confidence in them: It is a foolish thing to trust in them. 1. They are deceitful ⟨p. 277⟩Riches, Matt. 13.22. and it is foolish to trust to that which will deceive us. [Greek or Hebrew]. Chrys. 1. They have no solid Consistency, they are like Landscapes or golden Dreams, which leave the Soul empty when it awakes and comes to it self. 2. They are not what they promise; they promise to satisfy our Desires, and they increase them: They promise to stay with us, and they take Wings. 2. They are hurtful, Eccles. 5.13. Riches kept for the Owners thereof to their hurt. It is Foolish to trust to that which will hurt one: Who would take hold of the edge of a Razor to help him? They are oft Fuel for Pride and Lust, Ezek. 28.5. Jer. 5.7. So that it is Folly to trust in our Riches; but some do, and so make Money their God, Prov. 10.15. The rich Mans Wealth is his strong Tower. He makes the Wedge of Gold his Hope, Job 31.24. God made Man of the Dust of the Earth, and Man makes a God of the Dust of the Earth. Money is his Creator, Redeemer, Comforter. His Creator: If he hath Money, now he thinks he is made. His Redeemer: If he be in danger he trusts to his Money to redeem him. His Comforter: If he be Sad, Money is the golden Harp to drive away the evil Spirit. Thus by trusting in Money we make it a God.

Resp. To trust in any thing more than God, is to make it a God. 1. If we trust in our Riches, then we make Riches our God: We may take Comfort, not put Confidence in them: It is a foolish thing to trust in them. 1. They are deceitful ⟨p. 277⟩Riches,