The plain mans path-way to heaven

Antil. You have spoken many things very sharply against covetousness: but in my mind, so long as a man covets nothing but his own, he cannot be said to be covetous.

Antil. You have spoken many things very sharply against covetousnesse: but in my mind, so long as a man covets nothing but his own, hee cannot be said to be covetous.

Theol. Yes that he may. For not only is he covetous, which greedily desireth other mens goods; but even he also which over-niggardly and pinchingly holdeth fast his own, and ⟨p. 95⟩is such a miser, that he will part with nothing. We see the world is full of such pinch-pennies, that will let nothing go, except it be wrung from them perforce, as a key out of Hercules hand. The gripple muck-rakers had as lief part with their blood as their goods. They will pinch their own backs and bellies, to get their god into their chests. And when they have once got him there, will they easily part with him, trow ye? No, no: a man will part with his god for no mans pleasure. He will eat peasebread, and drink small drink, rather then he will diminish his god. Therefore the Scripture saith,¹ Eat not the meat of him that hath an evil eye: and desire not his dainty dishes. For as he grudgeth his own soul, so will he say unto thee; Eat and drink, when his heart is not with thee. Thou shalt vomit thy morsels which thou hast eaten, and lose thy pleasant speeches. The old saying is, The covetous man wanteth as well that which he hath, as that which he hath not; because he hath no use of that which he hath. So then you see, there is a great strength of covetousness in the niggardly keeping of our own.

Theol. Yes that he may. For not onely is hee covetous, which greedily desireth other mens goods; but even hee also which over-niggardly and pinchingly holdeth fast his owne, and ⟨p. 95⟩