The plain mans path-way to heaven

Theol. The Apostle saith,¹ Having food and raiment, we must be therewith ⟨p. 102⟩content. ²For we brought nothing into this world: and it is certain we shall carry nothing out. The Spirit also saith,³ Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with your present estate. Again, the Apostle saith,⁴ He had learned in what estate soever he was, therewith to be content. Note that he saith, He had learned: for he had it not of himself. For contentation is the singular gift of God:⁵ as it is written, The righteous eateth to the contentation of his soul, ⁶but the belly of the wicked shall want. An ancient Father saith, We ought to accustom our selves to live of a little, and to be content; that we may do no wicked or filthy thing for lucre's sake. ⁷Another saith, He is not poor that hath nothing, but he that desires much. Neither is he rich that hath much, but he that wanteth nothing: for contentation never wanteth. There is no grief in lacking, but where there is immoderate desire of having. If woe will live after nature, we shall never be poor: if after our own appetite, we shall never be rich. Well therefore said the Poet,⁸ Wax not rich unjustly, but justly: Be content with thine own things: abstain from other m•ns. Thus then we see, that both God himself (the fountain of all wisdom) and men also, both in the state ⟨p. 103⟩of nature and grace, do all jointly advise us to strive for contentation: and then we shall have a sovereign remedy against Covetousness.