THE FORMER PART . The Gaine of Godlinesse .

THe Stoick Philosophie , which a a Act. 17. 18. Luke the Euangelist maketh mention of , b b Lege Cicer. parad . & Lipsij ●●●nud●ct . was famous for Paradoxes , strange Opinions , improbable , and besides common conceit , c c Seneca passion , & Arrian . in dissert. & alij . admired much for them by some , d d Plu● . in Stoic . contradict . & quod Poet● Stoicis probabiliora la●●antur . controlled and taxed for them by others . Howbeit not Stoicisme onely , but euery art and profession , euery course of life and learning hath some Paradoxes or other ; the world not a few , and ▪ e e In hic creber est Chrysostomus : quod notavit Six●us Sen: biblioth : l. 4. Christianitie many more , as strange , yea stranger , than any that the Stoicks euer held , and yet f f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Agatho . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aristot . rhetor . l. 2. c. 26. Verissimaque sunt non pauca , quae tamen sunt minimè verisimilia . no lesse true than strange .

A worldly Paradox the Apostle had mentioned in the verse next before going , to wit , that some men should hold Gaine to be Godlinesse : vnto which he opposeth a contrary Christian Paradox in the words of my Text , to wit , that Godlinesse is the onely true Gaine .

For the former : It is a very absurd conceit indeed , and though too too rife in the world , yet such as few or none will be acknowne of , and either openly father , or seeme outwardly to fauor . But as God at the last day , when the wicked shall go about to excuse and defend themselues , he will not onely take hold of their words , b b Ex ore tuo indicab● te , serue nequam . Math. 25. 26. Luk 19 22. By thine owne mouth will I iudge thee , thou thriftles seruant ; and aduantage of their actions , c c Math. 25. 42 , 43. I was naked and yee clad me not , hungry and yee fed me not , &c. and theresore had neither Faith nor Loue ; but he will conuince them by their owne Consciences too , d d Rom. 2. 15. Their secret thoughts shall either excuse or accuse them in that day : In like manner must we deale with those that will seeme to abhorre and detest this Opinion , and yet do those things that maintaine and vphold it .

e e Psal. 14. 1. & 53. 1. ●he ●oole saith i● 〈◊〉 heart , There is no God ; and that is sufficient to proue him an Athe●● though he neuer openly maintaine any Position of Atheisme . And there be some that f f Tit. 1. 16. professe they know God , but denie him in their deeds : and g g Quiescat lingua , loqua●●● vita . Aug. in 1. Ioan. hom. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . E●s●h . prepar E●a g. l. 1. c. 1. Efficacius est vita testimonium quam lingue ▪ Cyprian . do dupl martyr ▪ Et 〈◊〉 v●●●peris quàm ●●● . ●ern . in C●nt . that is enough to proue them irreligious , though they neuer vtter that their impietie in speech . So in this case , the Couetous mans heart saith it , and his practise proclaimeth it , that h h Diuites facultatibus suis alligates mag●● aurum consueuisse suspic●re quàm coelum . Minut. Octav. Quid f●cisti quod iussit Deus ? quid non facis quod auaritia iubet ? Aug. de diuers . 12. ●uam si sacrificem summo Jovi , Atque in manibus exta teneam vt porriciam , intereà loci . Si lucr● quid detur , potius r●m diuinam deseram . Plaut. Pseud . 1. 3. his Gold is his God , and that his Gaine is his Godlinesse ; and that is sufficient to proue him an Idolater , though he neuer outwardly bow his knee to an Idoll . In regard whereof , the Apostle expresly pronounceth i i Coloss. 3. 5. Couetousnes to be Idolatry , and the k k Ephes. 5. 5. Lege Chrys ad Eph. hom. 18 Couetous man an Idolater .

To reason then in this point , as our Sauiour himselfe doth : l l Vbi thesaurus , ibi & cor. Math. 6 21. Nemo enim potest nisi cogitare de thesauro suo , & quodam cordis itinere diuitias suas sequi . Aug. de diuers . 44. Where a mans Treasure is , theire is his Heart ; and where a mans heart is , there is his happinesse ; and where his happinesse is , that is his God . Since the couetous man therefore m m Psal. 62. 12. setteth his heart on his riches ; n n Psal 49 6. Job . 31. 24. putteth his trust in his treasure : and whereas o o Pro. 18. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Basil . in Psal. 45. the faithfull make the name of God their strong towre , wherevnto they resort in time of trouble for safetie , p p Pro. 18. 11. the worldly rich man maketh his wealth his bulwark & fence , wherevpon he reposeth himselfe and wholy relyeth : It must of necessitie follow herevpon , that as the Apostle saith of the fleshly-minded man , that q q Phil. 3. 19. Rom. 16. 18. Clem. p●dag . l. 2. c. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ventrem colunt , quem pro Deo habent . Cypr. de dupl . Martyr . Quibus Deus venter est , & pulmo templum , & aqualiculus altare , & sacerdos cocus , & Spiritus sanctus nidor , & codimēta charismata , & ●uctus prophetia : agape in cacab●● fervet , fi●●● in c●l●●i● calet , spes in ferculis iacet . Tertull. de i●iun . Whose gut their God , whose lust their law . Sylvest. week . 2. day . 1. Vise Euseb praepar . l. 7. c. 2. his belly is his God ; so of the worldly-minded man , that r r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theog● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euripid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Antiphan . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So phoel . Creusa . Quod autem quisque prae caeteris colit , id sibi Deum const●●isse probatur Bern de bonis deser. Ergo vt voracium Deus venter est ; ita cupidorum pec●●●● Deus iustiss●mè dicitur . Hieron . in Ephes. his money , or his penny is his God : And if his Money be his God ; his Gaine must needs be his Godlinesse .

But the Apostle here telleth vs a quite contrary tale , and learneth vs here a flat opposite lesson ; that , howsoeuer worldly men may thinke that Gaine is Godlinesse ; yet in deed and truth it is not so ; but Godlinesse rather is Gaine , and great Gaine .

So that the Apostle doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , propositionem invertere ; he turneth the proposition cleane backward , and bringeth it about , as it were . Gaine is Godlinesse , saith the worldly man . Nay , Godlinesse is Gaine , and great Gaine , saith the Apostle , and the Spirit of God by him .

But this peraduenture will seeme a Paradox as strange as the former . As very few that will outwardly avow the former ; so as few are there that are inwardly perswaded of the latter . It seemeth a Paradox with the most .

For , Godlinesse great Gaine ? may some man say . The contrary rather seemeth vndoubted and vndeniable , to wit , that r r Isto t● pauperes , cùm nimis sanctè pius . Plaut. Rudent . 4. 7. Varro , regustatum digito terebrare sal●num contentus perages , si vi●ere cum love te●di● P●rs . sat. 5. Godlinesse is a great enemie to Gaine . Balaam lost great wealth and honor , because he would not disobey the word of God : s s Num. 24 11. I had thought , saith Balak , to haue aduanced thee , and made thee a great man ; but thy God hath kept thee from honour . Michah might haue bin a great man in Ahabs bookes , and very richly and royally reward●d by him , if he would haue spoken but two words onely , as some other did ; if he would but haue said , t t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ascende in pace . 1 King . 22. 12 , 13. Goe vp in peace . But his Godlinesse hindred his Gaine ; and not so onely , but was a meane to bring him into much trouble . So that it may seeme , that Godlinesse is altogither gainelesse , and Vngodlinesse the more gainefull of the two .

For the u u Nehem. 13. 16. Merchants of Tyre and Zidon for lucre and gaine straine courtesie with Gods commandement , to vtter their fish and wares on the Sabbath . And no doubt of it , * * Facilem esse cui● ad diuitias viam , quo die bon● mentis poenituerit . Demetrius apud Senecam natur . quest. l. 4. pr●fat . Gods children , if they would not be so strict and strait laced ; if they would not stand vpon nice points and termes ; if they would not sticke to lye and dissemble with x x Act. 5. 1 , 2. Ananias and Sapphira ; to belye and beguile , as Ziba , Mephibosheths man did his Master ; to sweare and forsweare , y 1 Sam. 16. 1 , 2. with z z 1 Macc. 1. 61 , 62. prophane Antiochus ; to steale and purloine with yong a a Iudg. 17. 2. Micah of Mount Ephraim ; to oppresse and murther , when they haue ius in manibus , the law in their owne hands , with b b 1 King . 21. wicked Ahab , and cursed Iezabel ; they might as well come to wealth , as many worldly men do , that scrape and gather much goods togither by these meanes . But they may well say , as the Psalmist saith , c c Psal. 67. 7. Eu● qui sit iustus ac bonus , stultum esse . Carneades apud Ci● . de repub. l. 3. Vise Lactant. institut. l. 5. c. 12. 14. For thy sake , O Lord , are we counted fooles ; because we stand so much vpon matter of conscience .

d d 1 Cor. 9. 15. 23. Holy Paul saith he might haue done this and that , but he would not , because he would not make the Gospell euill spoken of . And the keeping of a mans word turneth oft-times to his losse . The e e Psal. 15. 4. godly man sweareth and faileth not , though it be to to his owne hindrance : that which a worldly man will not willingly do . So that it may seeme then that Godlinesse is rather a great enemie to Gaine , and Vngodlinesse a great deale the more gainfull .

But those that define Losse and Gaine on this wise , do not try them by the right touch-stone , do not weigh them out in the Ballance of the Sanctuarie , at the Beame of Gods word : and therefore no maruaile , if they take the f f L●k. 16 11. Diuitie nec vere nec vestr● . Aug. de verb. Dom. 35. & de diuersis . & Bern. de bon. deser. false Riches for the true Treasure .

For g g Genes. 2. 19. man indeed had auctoritie giuen him to name the Creatures , and he hath named worldly Wealth , Gaine : But God that is aboue man , and that gaue man this auctoritie , he hath named Godlinesse , Gaine , and not Wealth . As the Apostle therefore saith , h h 2 Pet. 3. 9. God is not slacke , as men count slacknes : so Godlinesse is not Gaine as men count Gaine , but as God counteth Gaine . For i i 1 Sam. 16. 7. man seeth not as God seeth ; k k Esai . 55. ● . nor thinketh as God thinketh . But as l l Luk. 16. 15. those things that are pretious in mans eyes , are abominable in Gods sight : so m m 1 Cor. 1. 28. Psal. 51. 17. those things that are contemptible in the eyes of man , are n n 1 Pet. 3. 4. of high account many times in the sight of God . And euery thing is , not as man valueth it , but as God esteemeth it ; not as man reckneth it , who is o o Psal. 62 9. & 39. 5. vanitie it selfe , and therefore may easily be deceiued , yea p p Galat. 6. 3. Jam. 1. 26. oft-times deceiueth himselfe ; but as God rateth it , q q Tit. 1. 2. Si v●lunt in●enire , quod 〈◊〉 non potest , habent prorsus , ●entiri non potest . Aug. de ci●it . l. 22. ● . 25. Potenter hoc non potest . Idem de Trinit. l. 15. c. 14. Magna potentia mentiri non posse . Ibid. 15. who neither doth deceiue any , r r Galat. 6. 7. nor can by any be deceiued , being s s Iob. 14. 6. Veritie and truth it selfe .

Either then we must say as God saith , or we must say as the World saith . Either we must say , that Godlinesse is no Gaine , or else we must say , that Gaine is no Gaine , when Godlinesse and Gaine shall stand forth togither , either in way of comparison the one with the other , or in way of opposition the one vnto the other .

Now , when Godlinesse and Gaine shall in this manner contend , that Godlinesse ought to haue the day of it , will euidently appeare , if it may be shewed vnto vs :

First , that Godlines is Gaine rather than Gaine : and

Secondly , wherein this Gaine of Godlinesse doth consist .

For the former , to wit , that Godlinesse is rather to be accounted Gaine , than Gaine , may be proued to vs by these three Arguments .

First , Godlinesse may doe a man good without gaine , but worldly gaine can do a man no good without godlinesse . As the Heathen Orator saith of bodily might , that t t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Isocr . ad Demonic . strength of bodie ioyned with discretion and wisdome , may do a man much good ; but without it , it is but u u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plut. de muliebri disciplina apud Stob. ton . 2. c. 90. as a sword in a child , or in a mad mans hand , rather a meanes to mischiefe a mans selfe than otherwise : as we see an example in Milo Crotoniates , the strongest man of his time , x x - viribus ille cō●●sus perij● , admirandisque lacertis . Iuvenal . sat. 10. Legatur Gellius l. 15. c. 16. & Val. Max. l. 9. c. 12. Qui concludit , Nimio robore memb●o●ū●igorem mentis hebescere , quasi abnu●nte natura vtriusque boni largitionem , ne supra mortalem sit foelicitatem , eundem & valentissimum esse & sapientiss●mum . who vnwarily assaying , on trust of his strength , to riue a peece of timber with his hands , which some others with wedge and beetle could not cleaue , was caught fast by the fists , and so deuoured by Wolues . So Riches ioyned with godlinesse and good Conscience , are the y y Omnia ista bon● sunt , sed vnde●acias be●e , non quae te faciant bonum . Aug. de temp. 238. good blessings of God , a meanes z z Deus b●nadat , vt b●nos faciat . Salvian . de prouid . of good to our selues , and of doing good vnto others : but being seuered from godlinesse and the true feare of God , are rather a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Euripid. Ple●sthen . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Menand . ●opes iritamenta malorum . O●●d . Metam . l. 1. occasion of euill than otherwise , rather b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iscer ad Demon. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eurip. Phaethon . Magna cognatio vt rei , sic nomi●●s , diuitijs & vitijs . Eucher . ad Valer. an instrument of vice , than any furtherance to virtue , a meane to make as our sinnes the greater here , so our condemnation accordingly the more grieuous hereafter .

So that as the Heathen man saith , that c c Damnum non lucrum est cum mala fama lucrum . P. Syr. Gaine gotten by losse or hazard of a mans good name , is no gaine but losse ; because a man looseth therein more then all his gettings can counteruaile : since that d d Prou. 22. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isocr . ad Dem● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Menand . A good name is ( as Salomon saith ) aboue riches and treasure ; of greater worth than any wealth . So Gaine gotten with the breach or hazard of a good Conscience , when it is e e Luk. 16. 9. mammona iniquitatis , the Mammon of iniquitie , or f f Iud. 11. merces iniquitatis , the wages of wickednesse , it is * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . titulus sine re . Chrysost. in Psal. 111. no Gaine , but losse indeede : It is , as the Greekes say of g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Heraclit . apud Eustath . ad Iliad . ● . a Bow , Life in name , but Death indeede ; so Gaine in name , but Losse in deede : ( h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hesiod . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chilo . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Peri●●d . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Eurip. Cyclope . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Idem Ant●gon . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Me●and . Periculosum semper reputa●i lucrum . Ph●drus fab. 85. Heathen themselues so esteemed it ; not i i Nemo habet i●●●s●● lucrum sint iuste dān● . Aug. de temp. 215. Lucra in●i●sta putes iustis aqu●li● dam●● . Dū●●●●tura per●● per male parta peris . G. Goodwi● . Luc●um improbè partūm●rū est in 〈…〉 . R●●ter●●●● . Christian men onely : ) Since that a man doth in these cases but , as that Romane Emperor had wont to say , k k ●●s qui mi●●●● c●●●da non minime sectarentur discrimine , si●iles ai●bat esse 〈…〉 ●●r●● pisca●tib●● , 〈…〉 nulla c●p●●r● pensari posset . S●et●n . Augusto ● . 25. fish with a golden hooke , and that for a googeon : l l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . De●●tr . Phal●r . apud . Athen. l. 6. he hazardeth more than his whole prey , though he catch it , and m m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Democrit . Turpe lucrum vi●●●●u est de●rime●●um . Ambr. in Psal. 118. Plus in ipsa ini●ri● detrimenti est , quàm in 〈◊〉 rebus 〈…〉 . Ci●●●●e ●●●ib . l. ● . Neque tantum est co●●●d● quia ●dip●s●● se p●●●● , quantum 〈…〉 ac●●rsat . Ambros . offic. l. 3. c. 4. ver● itaque Antipha●●s , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . he may misse of his purpose therein too , can make amends for it , if it miscarry , be that he get and gaine neuer so much . And for a man to get and gaine neuer so much one way , if by the compassing of it he loose far more an other way , it is in truth no Gaine at all .

For this cause as the Apostle asketh the Question ; n n Rom. 6. 21. Quid profuit ? What profit had yee then of those things , whereof you are now ashamed ? nay , o o Si secundum merita tibi daret , dānaret te . Aug. in Psal. 102. for which now you should be damned , if you had your desert ; for the end of such things is death : And the damned Spirits demand of themselues ; p p Wisdom . 5. 8. Quid prodest ? What profit haue we now of all our profits and pleasures , that we enioyed in the world , when we are hurled headlong into hell ? So our Sauiour himselfe asketh , q q Matth. 16. 26. Quid proderit ? What will it profit a man to winne the whole world , r r Luk 9. 35. and destroy himselfe , s s Mark 8. 36 , 37. or loose his owne t t Iste omnis huius questus seculi animarum dispendium est . Ambros . epist. 44. Caue itaque ne dum acquiras pecuniam , perdas animam . Aug. de temp. 215. soule ? u u Non potest vlla compendij causa consistere , si constet animae dispendium intervenire . vbi salutis damnum , illic vtique iam nullum lucrum est . quo enim lucrum capiatur , nisi capiendi sedes inconcussa seruetur ? Eucher . ad Valer. O si lucreris totum , quid proderit , orbem , Dum iacturam anima feceri● ipsae tuae . Tale tibi foe●● fert lamentabile fun●● : Hicque illex quastus questus & ●stus erit . Ne perdas perdenda , animam , stultissime , perdes : Nunc sanum insan● synciput opto tibi . G. Goodwin . to get all the world beside himselfe ; but by gaining it to loose himselfe : for x x Animus cuiusque ipse est quisque . Cic. de amicit . euery mans soule is euery mans selfe : to doe as y y Jona . 1. 12. Ionas , z z At contra Aristippus in nare piratica agen● cùm aurum in mare proiecisset , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Laert. Et Crates misso in mare , auro , Abite , inquit , pessum mala cupiditates , mergam vos , ne mergar à nobis . Hieron . in Iovin . l. 2. Pereat mundi lucrum ne fiat anima damnum . Aug. in Psal. 103. Perde ne pereas . Idem de verb. Dom. serm. 35. that suffred himselfe to be cast ouerbord into the sea , that the ship with her lading , when he is lost , may come safe to the shore .

On the other side , as another saith , a a Pecuniam in loco negligere , maximum interdum est lucrum . Terent. adelph . 2. 2. Non ego omninò lucrum omne esse vtile homini existimo : Est etiam vbi profecto damnum praestet facere , quàm lucrum . Plaut. Capt. 2. 2. For a man handsomely to refuse money , and forgo gaine , it is no small gaine sometime . So for a man in some case to forgo his gaine , to refuse gold , to neglect his owne good , though b b Quis nisi mentis in●ps oblatum respuat aurum ? so to do may seeme ●olly , when Game and Godlinesse will not agree togither , when c c Aug. de temp. 215. lucrum in arca facit damnum in conscientia , and d d Ambros . in Psal. 218. ser. 5. lucrum pecuniae dispendium ●it animae ; when profit in a mans purse would procure a broach in his Conscience , and the gaine of gold proue the break-neck of his soule ; * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Georg. Pr●id . de vanitat . vita . such refusall of gaine is the greatest Gaine that can be . For saith an ancient Father well , e e Quan●ūlibe● magna amittere , vt m●iora acquiras , non est damnum sed negotiatio . Bern. de bon des . To let goe , though neuer so great a matter , for the compassing of a greater , is no loosing bargaine , but a gainefull negotiation . To which purpose the Apostle Paul hauing related , what a great man he might haue bin among his owne People , had he held on in Iudaisme as he began ; he concludeth at length , that he deemed all f f Philip. 3. 7 , 8 , 9. that , and all else , but as g g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . losse , and as h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . drosse and donge ; as some Grammarians expound the word there vsed , as i i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Dogs-meat , or as others rather , as Dogs-donge , in regard of the assurance of Gods sauour toward him in Christ , the hold he had of him , his conformitie with him , and his interest k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 H●●ych . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●●yolog . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . in him .

Secondly , Worldly 〈◊〉 may be a● occasion of euill to vs from others ; God●●esse ●●●●r but of good . Riches , I say , proue o●t their owners owne bane , his vtter 〈…〉 and o●●●●●row . l l Eccles. 5. 12. Sed pl●r●s 〈…〉 conge●●● p●●●n●a ●ura 〈…〉 , & cun●●● ex●p●r●n● pa 〈…〉 ●ensus . I●v●n sat . 10. Quanti e versi sunt per 〈…〉 , pr●da forti●ribus facti ? Aug in Psal. ●3 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plut ▪ P●●●g . I haue seene riches , saith Salomen , reserued to the hurt of him that hath them . m m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Di●gen●s apud ●a●rt . 〈…〉 ▪ ma●us Do●●●us , pr●di●●r serv●t nemo 〈◊〉 habet , nisi qu● semper abscondi● ; in 〈…〉 . Aug. de verb. A● 26. They make their owners life oft-time to be laid for . It was the Heathen mans obseruation , that Tyrannies deale with their subiects and seruants , as men are wont to do n n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . de Diony●io Diogenes . with bottles , which they let stand vnder the tap till they be filled , and hang them vp so soone as they be full : or as o o Procuratorem rapacissimum quemque ad officia amplior● ex industria pr●movebat , quo lo●upletiores mo● condemn●ret , & pr● spongijs v●eretur , quos sicco● madefacimus , ●umen●es exprimimus . de Vespasian● Su●●on . c. 16. Idem de popule Athen . Aristophan . Equitib . with Spunges , which they suffer to lye soaking , till they haue sucked in some good store of water , and then squize them out againe . p p 1 King . 21. 1 , 2. Exitialu erat apud principem hui● laxior dom●● , illi am●nior villa . Plin. pa●egyr . Naboth might well haue liued longer , had it not bin for his vineyard : but that was it that shortned his dayes , and brought him to an vntimely death . And q q Pro● . 1. 19. Accessit vt sauiti● caus● auariti● praeberet , & modus culpae ex pecuniae modo constitueretur ; & qui fuisset locuples fieret n●cens , fieret ꝙ quisque merces mortis su● . Velleius hist. l. 2. Divisa percussoribus occisorum bona , v● etiam de su● perirent . Senec. ad Mart. ● . 20. This , saith Salomon , is the course of euery one that is greedy of gaine , to come by it , he would take the life away of those that are possessed of it . r r Pirat● navigijs vacuis non insidiantur , mercibus ●nusta vi omni invadunt . Chrysost. de Ozia serm. 3. It is not empty barks , or poore fisher-boats , but ships returning with treasure , that Pyrates seeke to surprize . s s P●ucula si portes argenti vascula puri , N●c●e i●er ingressus , gladium contumus , timebis : Cant●bit vacu●● coram latr●ne viator . Juve● . sat. 10. Si●●im●t insidi●● , qui se scit ferre viator Quod time at , tutum carpitinanis iter . Ovid. Nuc● . It is the fat Grasier , or the rich Clothier , Nudum latro transmittit : etiam in obsessa via pauperi pax est . Sen. de pauper● . ex epist. 14. not the poore pedler , or the bare passenger , that is in danger of loosing lim and life in his owne defence against theeues .

But Godlinesse is neuer an occasion of any euill , but of all good to him that hath it . It is t t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tyri●● Ma● . ●r●t . ● . murus aheneu● . Nil conscire sibi . Horat. epist. 2. lib. 1. Ier. 1. 18. the surest fort and fence , it is u u Ephes. 614. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Chrysoft in Ephes. hom. 24. the firmest armour of proofe against all euils that may be . For , Who will harme you , saith the * * 1 Pet. 3. 13. Et in hoc seculo quis nocebit nobis plenis charitate ? Aug. in 1. Ioan. Tract . 9. Apostle , if you follow that that is good ? Who will harme you ? Nay , * * Tu ipse tibi ●i aliquid faciat , malus quid faciat ? Aug. homil. ●9 . Who can harme you ? For some would it may be , if they could ; so peruersely and malitiously-minded , that they hate the godly , euen for this cause because they be godly , and y y Psal. 38. 20. because they follow that that is good . But z z Rom. 8. 31. Psal. 27. 1 , 2. Ier. 1. 18 , 9. Act. 18. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 S●●● . tom 2. ● . 9. if God be with them , who can be against them ? who can hurt them ? who can harme them ? a a S●it● Sim●catus epist. 40. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Men may attempt to wrong them , and wrong themselues while they thinke to wrong them ; but them they cannot wrong . Though others may seeme to wrong them , yet b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . S●mo●●● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Tyr. Max. orat 2. Sio 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . are they not wronged , c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Occidere 〈◊〉 , lad●re non poss●●nt . S●●rates a 〈◊〉 Epictetum Enchi●id● 〈…〉 . & Tyr. Max. Orat. 2. no not when they are murthred , because they are nouer a whit the worse for their wrongs . No hurt therefore , d d Luk. 21. 18. Illi de animab●● suia pertimesceba●● , Christu●●tiam 〈◊〉 s●●uritatem ipsi● d●bat . quid ● p●reat , cui 〈…〉 Aug. 〈◊〉 Psal. 96. & 109. ● ▪ not an haires harme can be fall a man for being good , or by being godly ; 4 4 Nihil accidere bon● wire 〈◊〉 potest . S●n●● ▪ de provid . c. 2. no euill can accrew vnto any by it .

No euill can ; but much good may ; yea all good shall . For e e Rom. 8. 28. All things worke togither , and conspire in one , for the good of the godly , of these that loue God , and f f 〈…〉 . whom he loueth . g g 〈…〉 Dr● l. 13. 6. 8. Omnia ? What ? all things ? saith an ancient Father , as if he could hardly beleeue it , or made some doubt of it : Etiam mala ● what ? euen euills and afflictions too ? Mala 〈◊〉 . Yea ( saith he ) euen euills and afflictions ; bonis bona , malis mala : though euill to the wicked , yet good they are , yea exceeding good to the godly . For , Audi Apostolum , audi vas electionis ; Heare what the Apostle saith , heare what the elect vessell of God saith : h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 2. Cor. 4. 18. This light and momentanie affliction , that is but for an instant ; procureth vnto vs , i i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . an exceeding excessiue eternall weight of glory . He moueth the question the second time , as not fully resolued : Omnia ? what ? all things ? etiam peccatum ? euen spirituall euils ? euen sinne it selfe too ? And he maketh answer againe : Etiam peccatum ipsum , tametsi non bonum , tamen in bonum . Yea , euen sinne it selfe , though it be not of it selfe good , yet it tendeth to their good , k k Vide e●nd . Aug. de corrept. & grat . cap. 9. to the good of all Gods elect . For heare what the Apostle saith of himselfe : l l 2 Cor. 12. 7. There was a m m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 in carne . Beza . splint left in my flesh to humble me , that I might not be puft vp with pride . n n Nonne cooperatur nobis in bon●m , vnde & humiliores & cautiores efficimur ? Bern. in Ps. 90. His infirmities were a meane to make him the more humble ; and o o Quant● quis humilior in se fuerit , tanto apud Deu● maior erit . Aug. de temp. 213. & Greg. de past . p. 2. cap. 6. & mor. l. 18. c. 22. as the more lowly in his owne eyes , so the more gracious with God . He asketh yet a third question , as the vpshot of all : Omnia ? etiam mors ipsa ? What ? all things ? euen death it selfe , p p 1 Cor. 15. 26. the vtmost enemie of all ? And he answereth himselfe as before , or rather further than before ; * * Mors bonis b●n ; plurimum confort . Aug. ad Bonif. l. 4. c. 4. Etiam mors vel maxime : Yea , death as much as any thing , nay most of all . For so saith the same Apostle againe ; q q Philip. 1. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quod ● prim● exp●fur●●e Ad●ur . A●ray in Philip. ●●ct . 17. Christus mihi vita , & mors lucrum ; as he readeth the words ; Christ is my life , and Death is my gaine . That r r Pro● . 11. 7. which is the greatest losse that can be to the worldly man ; is s s Philip. ●2 . 3. the greatest matter of gaine that can be to the godly .

Thirdly , Wordly wealth abideth with vs but for a short time : whereas Godlinesse and t t Illud solum est lucrum , vbi fructus perpetu●s , vbi merc●s●st ●●●●na . An● 〈…〉 ●●est 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 quod habet secum 〈…〉 potest . quod enim hic 〈…〉 nost●●m , sed ali●num est . 〈◊〉 . epist. 9. the Gaine of it will sticke by vs , & stay with vs for euer . This worlds wealth , I say , can last but a while with vs , & must needs therfore leaue vs after a while . u u Non sunt 〈◊〉 diui●i● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 possiden●● deserunt , 〈◊〉 possident● deseruntur . 〈◊〉 . in Ecclos . 〈◊〉 . Either it will leaue vs , ●r we must leaue it : x x Finam 〈◊〉 ista 〈…〉 suum . Bern , de b●● , deser. Habebunt suum , non tuum , finem . Sen. ●atur qu●st . l. 3. either it will haue an end of vs , ●r we an end of it . y y 1 Tim. 6. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ch●ysost . to● . ● . ser. 19. Riches are vncertaine : z z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ibid. serm. 18. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ihid . 19. there is no hold of them : they are slippry ware ; a a Pro● : ●● . 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ch●ysoft . s●rm . 18. the faster we gripe them , the sooner they slip oft out of our hands ; b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ibid. they are fugitiue seruants , ready to runne away from their master , whom they leaue many times , by their meanes , depriued , not of liuing onely , but of life too : c c Pro. 23. 6. they take them wings , saith Salomon , like an Eagle that flieth vp into the ayre , & get them a way from vs far out of our reach , and beyond all hope o●re●oueri .

But though they haue al as aquilinas , great Eagles wings to flie from vs withall while we are here ; yet haue they ne passerin as quidem , not so much as litle s●●r●wes wings to flie after vs , and follow 〈◊〉 when we go hence . d d ● ▪ Tim. 6. 7. Nihil 〈…〉 & ibi● . 41. As when we came into the world ▪ we brought them not with vs ; so when we goe out of the world againe , we cannot beare them away , but e e Cede● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & dom● , Villaque ; - Cedes : & ●●tructis in altum Divit●s 〈◊〉 ●●res . H●rat carm. ● . 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 , & 〈…〉 , quas c●lis , 〈…〉 . Ibid. 14. 〈◊〉 ad 〈…〉 . must leaue them behind vs . f f 〈…〉 ▪ . 16 , 17. 〈◊〉 Admire not the man that is risen sodninely to great riches and honour , saith the Psalmist . No ? why , who would not admire one that liueth in such state and pomp as g g Nihil est insolentius noviti diuite . Sen. lib. 2. controv. 1. such are vsually wont to do ? * * Vides viu●ntem : c●gita mori●●tem . quid hic habeat , a●tendis : quid secum tollat , ar●ēd● . Aug. & Ruffin . in Ps 48 Yea but , when he dieth , he shall carrie none of that his wealth away with him ; nor shall his pompe and state descend with his corps . h h Eccl●s . 5. 14 , 15. As he came naked , so shall he go naked againe , and leaue all that by his care and indusirie he had raked togither and heaped vp , behind him ; and in all respects goe euen as he came .

It is with vs in this world , as it was in the Iewish fields and vineyards ; i i Deut. 23. 24 , 25. plucke and eat they might what they would , while they were there , but they might not pocket or put vp ought to carry away with them : Or k k Mund' iste gardinus est , nos p●●ri , mors ia●●t ● . & . Gvil. Paris . summa de vi●ijs , & Al●o● . Carpent . destruct . vit : p. 4. ● . ● . as with boyes , that hauing gotten by stealth into an Orchard , stuffe their sleeues and their pockets full with apples and peares , well hoping to get out with them , but when they come to the dore , they finde one there that searcheth them , and taketh all their fruit away from them , and so sendeth them away with no more than they brought in : Or l l Guil. Paris . & Alex. Carp. ibid. as poore men , that invited to a rich mans bord , haue the vse of his plate to drink● in , and siluer spoones to eat with while they are there ; but if any of them presume to put vp a peece of plate or a spoone , there is search made by the Porter , ere they are let out , for what is miss●ng among them , and so are they turned out againe as they came in : In like manner is it with vs in regard of these temporall blessings ; we haue free libertie to vse them as we will while we are here ; but when we are to goe hence , m m Mors mund●●●sor ; qui oues elus in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & a●consas 〈◊〉 mundam 〈…〉 . Iacob . ●e● , do●●n . 2. post Pa●th . serm. 1. ●ors 〈◊〉 est , qui 〈…〉 o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . mort . tract . 1. ● . 6 , 〈…〉 ●●●tos . Chrysost. in Psat . 4● . there is one waiting on vs , that will be sure to strip vs , and suffer nothing to passe with vs , vnlesse it be some sory sheete , or a seare rag to rot with vs , n n Non magis h●c ad defunctum pertinent hominem , quàm secundae ad editum infantem . Sen. epist 92. Istud non sentienti supervacuum est , sentienti onus . Non defunctorum causa , sed vivorum , inventa est sepultura , vt corpora visu & odore foed● amorerentur . Idem de remed. fortuit . Exhibentur ista non sentienti : tanquam or●atus dormie●ti , qui in pannis esse s● somniat . Aug. in Psal. 48. Sed & vnguentum accipis diues , postquam mortuus es , & foetidus es . Perdis alienam gratiam , nec acquiris tuam . Ambr. de Nabuth . c. 1. that which yet we shall haue no sense of , nor be any whit at all the better for , than if we were wholy without it .

But Godlinesse , and the gaine of it , will abide by vs for euer . o o Sicut charitas 1. Cor. 13. 8. sic pi●t●● non excidit . Ier. 32. 40. Psal. 85. 8. H● sunt vere diviti● , quas cum habuerimus , ●●●dere non 〈◊〉 ▪ Aug , de verb 〈…〉 . 76. It is a grace that we cannot loose or fall from ; p p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pl●t . d●●thi● . virt. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Pl●t . de p●dag . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 potest vnquam : 〈…〉 , ●●que 〈…〉 nec , 〈…〉 . 6. a benefit that we cannot be abridged or bereaued of by any . As q q Jo● . 1. ● . Heb. 13. 5. God will neuer forsake thee ; so Godlinesse will neuer leaue thee , if thou beest once soundly and sincerely religious . r r 〈…〉 ad 〈…〉 , ad 〈…〉 . Vise Cicer. T●s . 〈◊〉 5. It will goe vp with thee to the wheele , it will goe downe with thee to the rack : it will keepe with thee while thou liuest ; s s Apoc. 14. 13. it will away with thee when thou diest . For t t Prov. 11. 7. Iob. ●7 . 8. 〈…〉 . when the worldly man dieth , his hope dieth with him ; u u Prov. 14. 32. Iob. 13. 15 , 16. 〈…〉 ▪ but the godly hath hope euen in death . And 〈…〉 ▪ the Feare of God , that is Godlinesse , and y y 〈…〉 . the righteousnesse of it , in z z 〈◊〉 . 19. ●● ▪ the reward of it , that is the gaine that commeth by it , endureth for euer , and extendeth it selfe to all eternitie , lasting not onely past this liues end , but past the whole worlds end , with which all worldly wealth and gaine ; must needes haue an end .

This world is compared to a Fishing ; the a a 〈◊〉 1● . ●7 . end of it , to the drawing vp of the nets : while the nets are downe , there is nothing said to be caught ; for the nets may breake , and the Fish escape . But at the end of the world , when the nets are drawne vp , it will then euidently appeare what each man hath caught . And then those that haue fished here for riches and gaine , may say with Peter , b b Luk. 5. 7. Domine , tota hac nocte laboravimus , & nihil cepimus : Lord , all this night haue we laboured , and caught nothing at all . For c c Praesentia amantes praesentibus indormiunt , thesaur●s somniant , tantisper divites , quamdiu non vigilent : vbi transijt delectabilis s●mnus iste , nihil in manibus suis inv●niunt . Aug in Ps. 76. 5. the worldly rich , when they awake out of their present sleepe , wherein they dreame of gold and gaine , shall finde nothing in their hands . But those that haue here fished for Godlinesse , may say , as d d Luk. 5. 7 , 8. he might afterward haue said ; Domine , in verbo tuo retia demisimus , & cepimus : Lord , at thy word , haue we let downe our nets , and haue caught , yea we haue caught abundantly : we haue fished for Godlinesse , and haue gotten Life eternall . For e e Rom. 2. 7. Vnto those that by patience and perseuerance in well doing haue sought for glory and honour and immortalitie , will the Lord giue eternall life in that day .

But let vs sift out , and see somewhat more particularly , wherein this spirituall Gaine consisteth .

First then , the speciall Wealth in this World , is that which commeth by Inheritance . f f Prov. 19. 14. Riches and possessions , land and liuing , saith Salomon , come from a mans auncestors . And among those things that may make a man happy , the Heathen man putteth this in the first place , as the chiefe , g g Res non parta labore , sed relicta . Martial . l. 10. epig. 47. Wealth and goods , not earned with ones hands , but left a man by his friends .

But as h h Virtus non est h●redit●●ia ▪ sed nec pieta● . Philosophia non est res benefici●●ia . Senec. ep. 90. Virtue , so Pietie is not haereditarie . The one commeth not by kinde ; neither is the other left by will : It is a greater legacie , than the mightiest Monarch that is , can bequeath to his heire . For i i Psal. 16. 5. God himselfe is the inheritance of those that haue it .

k k Psal. 111. 5. God ( saith the Psalmist ) hath giuen a portion to them that feare him . If a Rich man giue one a Childes part , it is like to be a matter of some worth : Much more then if God giue a man a Childes part . But more then that , l l Psal. 142 5. he himselfe is the portion that he giueth vnto his . m m Psal. 119 57. Portio mea ipse es , Domine ; saith Dauid ; O Lord , thou art my portion . And , n n Qui dedit me mihi , d dit & se mihi . ●●rn in Psal. 90. He that bestowed my selfe vpon me , hath bestowed himself also vpon me , saith Bernard . And if o o Deut. 10. 9. & 18. 2. the Levites neede haue no inheritance among their brethren , because God is their portion ; ( it is sufficient , they haue him , that is , p p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Genes 17. ●● . El shaddai , God all sufficient ; ) and yet that was but in a temporall manner : Much more then is the godly man wealthy enough , though he haue nothing in the world , though he haue no part among worldly men ; seeing God is his portion in a spirituall manner , in a much better sort . He whose portion God is , cannot be poore .

We vse to say , that , He cannot lightly want money , that is Master of the Mint : and he can neuer be poore , q q Qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vt est in Prouerbio ; & , cum Plauti Misite , Auri mon●es , non massas , habet . that hath a well-spring of wealth . r r Psal. 34. 9. & 84. 11. Beatus home , cuius est Dominus spes eius , cui nihil deficit , quia Christus ei sufficit . Petrus Bles . epist. 102 Quantumlibet sis auarus , sufficit tibi Deus . Etenim vult avaritia terram possidere totam , adde & coelum ; plus est qui fecit terram & coelum . Aug , in Ps. 55. Deum habens , omnia habes . Aug. de temp. 146. Quid tibi sufficit , si Deus non sufficit . Idem ad fratr . in crum . 51. 2 Cor. 6. 10. Much lesse then can that man want ought that is good , who is possessed of God himselfe , s s Iam. 1. 17. Omne enim bonum aut ipse est , aut ab ipse . Aug. de doct. Cor. l. 1. c. 31. ●6 . 11. 36. the fountaine of all good . In regard whereof , Dauid hauing prayed for many temporall blessings in the behalfe of his people , t t Ps. 144. 12 , 13 , 14. that their Sonnes might be ●all and hardie like goodly yong Cedars ; and their Daughters faire and comely , like the curious caruings about the Temple ; their Oxen strong to labour , and their sheepe fertile and fruitfull ; that there might 〈…〉 nor foraine invasion : at length he windeth vp all indeed with this Epiphonema or Conclusion , u u Psal. 144 15. Blessed be the people that are in such a case : but on the neck of it he commeth as with an Epanorthoma , or a Correction of his former speech , Yea rather blessed are the people that haue Iehova for their God ; that haue the Lord for their portion : This one blessing alone is better worth than all those . So that as when the woman in the Gospell cryed out to Christ , x x Luk. 11 27. Blessed is the wombe that bare thee , and the paps that gaue thee suck : Our Sauiour , as correcting her speech , ( and yet y y Luk. 1. 48. true also that was ) saith , z z Luk. 11. 28. Beatier Maria percipiendo fidem Christi , quàm concipiendo car●em Christi . Luk. 1. 45. Inde foelix quia verbum Dei custodivit . Luc. 2. 19. non quia in illa verbum caro factum est & habitauit in nobis ; sed quia custodiuit Dei verbum , per quod facta est , & quod in illo caro factum est . Aug. in Joan tract . 10. Blessed are those rather that heare Gods word and keep it . So the Psalmist hauing pronounced them blessed that be in such a case , as eating in and revoking his words againe , as if he had spoken otherwise than well , Yea blessed ( saith he ) are they rather whose God is the Lord : As if he had said , That is indeed an happinesse in some kinde , in some case : but yet that happinesse is nothing to this blessednesse : for that is but externall , this is internall ; that is but temporall , this is eternall .

Secondly , the greatest wealth in this world is of a Kingdome : and therefore said he sometime in the prophane Tragedie , that a a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Eteocles apud Eurip. Phoeniss . Nam si violandum est ius , regnandi gratia violandum est : alijs rebus pietatem ●olas . Cic. offic. l. ● . Nulla sancta societas , nec fides regni est . Ennius apud eund l. 1. Nulla fides regni socijs . Lucan . l. 1. If a man might breake his word for ought , it should be to atchieue a Crowne , to compasse a Kingdome . Yea not to be a King onely , but to belong to a King in some place neere about him , is esteemed a matter of great worth and dignitie , and such as may proue a meane of much wealth and commoditie to one that can wisely make vse of it . c c 1 King . 10. 8. They were held happy men that could get into Salomons seruice . And it is the greatest matter that d d Prou. 22. 29. S●l●mon could promise the man that is diligent and industrious in the managing of his affaires , that he shall stand before , e e Sic● Reg. 17. ● . & Dan. 7. 10. that is , attend vpon Princes , and not serue or waite vpon any meane man .

If it be held such a matter then to retaine and belong to some one of the Princes of this world : * * De● seruire regnare est . B●rn . de temp. 110. Non maligno aut mundano princ●p● , ●●d Christ● vtique seruire regnare est . Idem , de bon. deser. What is it to appertaine and belong to GOD , f f Apoc. 19. 16. 1 Tim 6. 15. the King of Kings , and g g Apoc. 1. 5. the Prince of Princes , h h Psal. 83. 18. the highest Soueraigne i i Luk. 10. 21. Lord of Heauen and Earth ; k k Deponit reges , dispouit regna Dan. 2. 37. & 4. 22. that deposeth Kings and disposeth of their Kingdoms at his pleasure ; that assign●th euery earthly King the lists and limits both of his regiment and of his reigne ? That which the Apostle Paul therefore prefixeth as no small credit before sundry of his Epistles ; and King Dauid as a great grace before some of his Psalmes : l l Rom. 1. 1. Philip. 1. 1. Tit. ● 1. Paul a seruant of Iesus Christ : and , m m Psal. 36. 1. A Psalme of Dauid the seruant of God : as if it were n n Sanctitate maior quàm p●●●state . Salnian , de prouid . l. 2. Quomodo de M. Ant●n●no Pe●rare . fam ep. 15 l. 7. Imperium adep●us philosophi nomen ro●inuit , maiu●●stimās philosoph● esse quam principem . Et de Theod●sio Aug. de ciuit . l. 5. c. 28. Ecclesi● Dei se membrum esse magis quam regnare gaudebat . a greater dignitie to him , that he was Gods seruant , then that he was ruler and gouernor of Gods people .

But because o o Joh 8. 35. the Seruant is oft-times turned out at dores , whereas the Sonne abideth in the house for euer : And therefore the Father telleth his Sonne in the Gospell ; p p Luk. 15. 31. Sonne , thou art euer with me : and all that I haue is reserued for thee . The godly man is not onely Seruant to a King , but he is q q 1 Pet. 2. 9. Sonne to such a King , and r r Luk. 12. 3● . borne , or rather s s Ioh. 3. 3 , 5. new-borne , to a Kingdome .

And whereas earthly Kings , if they haue many Sonnes , can leaue the Crowne but to one . t t ● Chron. 21. 3. Iehosaphat ( faith the Holy Historie ) gaue great gifts to his other Sonnes , but the Kingdome gaue he to ●oram ; because he was the eldest God 〈◊〉 u u Apoc. 1. 6. & 10. 6. all his Sonnes Kings and x x Apoc. 21. 7. Heires alike . For y y Rom. 8. 17. if we be Sonnes , saith the Apostle , we are Heires too ; euen coheires with Christ , z z Hebr. 1. 2. who is Heire of all .

But how can the Godly be so rich may some say , when he hath , as it may fall out , not a penny in his purse ?

Thirdly therefore : A man may truly be said to be Rich in writing ; the monied man , though he haue neuer a penny in the house , but a a Hinc illud Pallade : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et Po●●iani illud ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 apud Stob. ton . 2. c. 10 all ou● at interest ; and the landed-man , though he hold not his lands in his owne hands , but haue all let out and in the occupation of others , so long as he hath good securitie for the one , and good euidence , if neede be , to shew , for the other . And as in Writing , so in Reuersion . Great summes of money do many giue for the reversions of offices , of lands and leases ; and as much may they make them againe away for , if they will .

And in like manner may the Godly man be said to be rich both in Writing , and in Reuersion : yea in either kinde he is b b Affatim diues . est , qui cum Christo pauper est . Hieron . ad Heliodor . Diues pax , piet as , fides : fideli enim totus mundus possessio est , Ambr. ep. 10. Quibus l●cis circumscribitur , cui totus mundus diuitiarum possessio est ? Idem offic. l. ● . c. 1. the richest man in the world . For he hath all in the world , yea c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Antistbenes & Zeno apud Laert. Vnus est sapiens , cuius omnia sunt . Senec . de benef. l. 7. c. 3. Fideli l● mi●i totus mundus diuit●arū est : totus planè ; quia tam aduers● quam presper a 〈◊〉 ●què omnia seruiunt ei , & cooperantur in bonum . Bern●● Cant. ser. 21. all this world , and the next world confirmed and assured vnto him by the word and promise of God , yea by his deede and bond vnder his owne hand and seale , who cannot goe from his word , or disclaime his hand d d Tit. 1. 1. to lye , or e e 2 Tim. 2. 13. to denie himselfe ; though it be much of it in other mens hands yet for a while . For f f 1 Tim. 4. 8. Pietie or Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life , and of the life to come , saith our Apostle . And againe ; g g 1 Cor 3. 22 , 23. Be it Paul or Apollos , or things present , or future , or this world ; h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Diogeues apud Laert. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Clem. Al. protrept . Omnia Christo tradita . Math. 11. 27. ten● eum per quem facta sunt omnia , & cum ipso omnia possidebis . Rom. 8. 23. a●are , ecce habes omnia . Omnia qu●●mas , vt non impendiaris à Christo , contemne , & ipsum tene in qu● p●ssis omnia possidere . Aug. hom. 34. Vise in Psal 48. all is yours , and you Christs , and Christ Gods . All the wealth both of this world , and of the world to come is theirs , ( as i i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 2. Cor. 6. 10. Auarus terrena es●rit , vt mendicu● ; fidelis contem●●t , vt dominus : ille possidendo mendicat , ille contemnend● possidet . Bern. in Cant. 21. Commune est omnibus Christi fratribus , quod de se Christus dixit , Ioan. 1● . 32. quod si ita est ; non putent diuites ●uius seculi fratres Christi sola possidere coel●sti● ; possident & terrena ; & quidem tanqu●m nihil habentes , sed omnia possidentes , non mendicantes vt miseri , sed vt Domini possidentes ; ●o pro cer●o magis Domini , quo minus cupidi . Bern. in Cant. 21. An non omnia possidet , cui omnia cooperantur in bon●● ? Idem be b●n . deser. hauing nothing , saith the Apostle , and yet possessing all things ) though it be k k Rom. 8. 28. Solertir attende , quod non ad libitum famulari , sed cooperari dicit ad bonum , neque enim ad voluntatem seruiunt , sed ad vtilitatem , non ad voluptatem , sed ad salutem , non ad votum , sed ad ad commodum nostrum . Idem de diuers . 1. for their good also , with-held from them for a while .

l l Fidelis homini● totus mundus diuitiarum est : infidelis autem nec ●b●lu● . Aug. Epist. 54. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Pindarus apud Clement . padag . lib. 3. cap. 12. The wicked in right haue iust nothing , hauing made forfeiture of all , m m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Dion . Chrys. orat . 65. though it please God n n Mat. 5. 45. Luk. 5. 35. Act. 14. 17. not to take euer the aduantage of it instantly , & o o Legatur Fr. à Victoria relect. 5. § 1. n. 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19. where he doth not , man may not . They are but p p Hoc cert● alien●● non est quod iure possidetur ; hoc autem ●ure , quod iuste ; & hoc iuste , quod bene . Omne igitur quod malè possidetur , alie●●m est , malè autem possidet , qu● malè vti●●r . Aug. epist. 54. Re● quemque terrena rect● à quoquam possideri n●● potest , nisi vel iure di●i●● , quo c●●cta i●sterum sunt , vel iure 〈◊〉 , quod in potestate reg●●● est . Idem epist. 48. intruders vpon and vsurpers of Gods goods , and shall one day answer for their vsurpation and abuse of them : or q q Gen. 39. 5. Exod. 12. 8. Act. 27. ●4 . M●l●●●●l●● 〈◊〉 D●● ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●a 〈◊〉 : ●●●tingunt 〈◊〉 etiam malis , quia separ●ri non poterant . satius est autem prodesse etiam malis propter bones , quam bonis deesse propter malis . Sen●● 〈◊〉 benef. l. 4. ● . 28. entercommoners by sufferance with Gods children and seruants , whom he principally intendeth them vnto : or r r Gen. 30 27 , 30 , 43. & 3● . 9 , 16. Isai . 45 2 , 3 , 4 , 26 , 28. Iob 27. 16 , 17. Prou. 13. 22. Dei dispe●sator●s ; non sibi , sed alijs diuites . quod de bonis Hi●rō ad Pelag. l 1. Stewards and Treasurers , as oft-times , for the good of the Godly .

And for Reversion ; to omit what he hath in present possession , besides 1 1 1 Cor. 1. 5 , 7. spirituall riches , of worldly wealth , as much 2 2 Math 6. 32 , 33. as he hath neede of , & as much 3 3 Psal. 84. 12. as it is good for him to haue : Euery Godly man , as he is 4 4 Iam 2. 5. Rich in faith , so he is far richer by Faith . For 5 5 Heb. 14. 1 , 7. Iam 2. 5. by it he holdeth and hath right to the reversion of such 6 6 1 Petr. 1. 4 , 5. an euerlasting inheritance , reserued for him in the Heauens , as cannot be purchased with all the wealth of this world ; and as goeth in worth farther beyond all the wealth of this world , than the purest gold doth the drossiest durt .

And thus haue we seene , both that Godlinesse is gainefull ; and wherein the Gaine thereof doth consistst .

Now the Vse hereof is two-fold , for Exhortation , for Examination .

For Exhortation first ; to stirre vp all men to labour and take paines to get Godlinesse . s s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . — Sophoc . Creusa . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Theogn . g●ō . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Eurip . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . A●tiphanes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Demosth Olynth . Totus populus in aliam discors , in hoc convedit : 〈◊〉 suspic●unt , hoc suis op●ant . Senec. epist. 115. quem vise si● . All men gape after Gaine . It is almost euery ones song , that the Psalmist hath ; t t Psal 4 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Theocr. idy● . 16. Prima fere vota , & cunct is notissima templis : Diuitiae vt ●rescant , vt opes . Iuve●al sat. 10. Lucri bonus est odor ex re Qualibet illa tuo sententia semper in ore Verse●ur , Dijs atque ipse love digna , poetae . Hoc monstrant pueri● vetulae poscentibus assem , Hoc discunt omnis ante alpha & beta puellae . Vnde habeas quaerit nemo , sed oportet habere . Iuven. sat. 14. Quis ostendet nobis boni aliquid ? Who will tell vs of any matter of gaine and commoditie ? u u Audi●● , 〈◊〉 Adam , ●●●rum & ambit●osum genus . Bern. de tempor . 4. Hearken , saith one well , yee sonnes of Adam , a couetous race , an ambitious brood : Here is Honor , and true Honor ; here is Gaine , and true Gaine : such as the x x Pecuniam vt t● haberes , alius ante perdiderat . Sen. de remed. fort Bonum est , quod vt ad ●e transeat , alius dare debet , alijs ami●tere ? Idem quest. nat. l. 3. pr●fat . Lu●rum sine damno alterius haber● non potest . P. Syrius . world cannot shew the like ; y y Sic ab omnibus capitur , vt nil singulis minuatur Ber. in Cant. 79. Gaine without any losse to , or hindrance of any : here is good Gaine , and great Gaine ; here is infinite gettings . Labour for Godlinesse ; labour to get and keepe a good Conscience : It is the gainfull'st Trade in the world . Who so followeth this Trade , shall not venture vpon vncertainties , he shall be sure to thriue , and to get infinite Gaine . For , z z Prou 21. 21. He that followeth after righteousnesse , as a man followeth a trade , shall finde Honour , and Life , true Honour , and eternall Life .

And here come there two sorts of men to be admonished .

First , the Rich , that they content not themselues with their worldly wealth , but that they seeke withall to get the true spirituall Riches , that a a Animus hominis dives , non area appellari solet quamai● illa sit plena dum te inanem videbo divitem non pu●abo . Cic. parad . 6. Ex anim● rem stare ●quam puto , ●ō animam exre . Auson . themselues may be rich , and not their purse or their chest only ; that they may not be b b Luk. 12. 21. Est●te Deo divites , nō●●m facturi di●item , sed de ●o futuri divite● . Aug. de verb. Dom. 6. rich to the world onely , but rich also to God . Else their earthly Gaine will proue their losse ; their worldly wealth will be but a meanes to hinder their happines by keeping them out of Heauen , where alone is true and entire happinesse to be had . It is that which our Sauiour himselfe saith of the worldly . Rich man , that hath nothing to trust vnto but his riches : ( for so to his Apostles c c Mark . 10. 24. he expoundeth it himselfe : ) that d d Math. 10. 24. Mark . 10. 25. Luk. 18. 25. It is easier for ᵉ a Camell ; or , as some read the word , f f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Suid , Vise 〈…〉 , & 〈◊〉 . a cable rope , to passe through the eye of a Needle , than for such a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven . As if our Sauiour should haue said ; It is as easie a matter , nay an easier , to thred a small Spanish Needle with a thicke Cable , or a great Cart-rope , then to get such a Rich man in at heauen gate : g g In●pta enim sunt , quae ex Lyra●● Autor Dialogi inter Divitem & Pauperem , de portagarrit Hieros●lymitana , cui Acus nomen , per quam Cameli , ●isi s●cinis prius depositis introire ●eutiquam possent . That great bunched beast , a Camell , may as soone , yea sooner be driuen through an needles narrow eye , than such a rich man be drawne vnto God , and be brought into the state of Grace . For so the most and the best reade it ; and it is an ordinarie by word both with Syrians & Greeks , when they speake of a thing that they thinke altogither impossible , to say , h h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Casaubou . in notis ad N●Test . An Elephant , or a Camell may as soone creepe through an Needles eye , as this or that come to passe . But not so soone , saith our Sauiour , but i i Difficilem dixerat , impossibilem iam di●cit . Hieron . in Math. 3. i●ò impossibili magis impossibilem . Euthym. in Math. c. 41. sooner may that be done , which k k Math. 19. 26. Mark . 10. 2● . with man is altogither impossible , than such worldly rich men attaine to true happinesse . l l 2 Cor. 8. 9. Diuilia illius quid nobis facturae , cuius paupertas no● divites fecit ? Aug. de verb. Apost. 15. Christ ( saith the Apostle ) became poore , to make vs Rich. m m Quomodo pauper factus est ? quomodo divites facit ? Aug. de temp. 〈…〉 . How became he poore ? saith one of the Ancients : ●● how maketh he vs rich ? The same Apostle ( saith 〈◊〉 sheweth vs , and expoundeth himselfe , where he saith ; n n 2 Cor. 〈…〉 . He that knew no sinne , for our sake became sinne , by taking vpon him the guilt of our sinne , that we might become the o o Puto quod Christi paupertas non pecuniam nobis attulit , sed iustitiam & immortalitarē . Aug. ibid. Righteousnes of God in him . And indeed , to speake properly and precisely , as the truth is , * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrysost. tom. 6. serm. 78. de poenit . 2. not as the world , but as God reckneth , p p Mai●r & miserabilior egestas nulla est , quàm egere sapientia , & qui sapientia non eget , nulla re omni●ò egore potest . stultitia ergò egest at est . Aug. de beata vita disput. 3. Paupertas in animo est , non in sacoulo . Idem in Psal. 131. Paupertas in inopia mentis est , non in quantitate possessionis . Greg in Ezech. l. 2. hom. 18. the onely pouertie is Sinfulnesse , and q q In animo diuitia sunt , non inpatrimonio . Sen. ep. 108. Pa●u●ne divitia ipsa innocentia ? si arcam plemā auro habueris , diues eris : si cor habueris plenum innocentia , pauper er●● ? Aug. in Psal. 83. Righteousnesse the right Riches . And the rich man therefore that hath not a religious heart , is but like r r Apoc. 3. 17. proud Laodicea , s s Quid tibi prosunt exteriores diuitia , si te interior premit egestas ? Aug. in Psal 52. Tanto enim verius , quanto interius indigentes sum●● . Greg. M. mor. l. 21. c. 14. a poore beggarly wretch in Gods sight , and in the sight of those that see so as he seeth , howsoeuer he may seeme rich and glorious in worldly mens eyes .

Yea to him that hath it too , that is both rich and religious , may we well say , as our Sauiour did to his Disciples , when they vaunted at their returne from preaching the Gospell , that euen the Diuels were subdued vnto them ; t t Luk. 10. 20. Reioyce yee not herein , that the Diuels are subdued vnder you : so were they vnder Iudas too ; but herein reioyce , that you haue your names entred in heauen . So * * Vise supra quod de Theodosio Aug. deciuit . Dei l. 5. c. 22. reioyce not herein that thou art rich to the world , or that thou art great in the world , and hast others vnder thee , and at thy command ; that thou art clad gorgeously , and farest deliciously ; ( for u u Luk. 16. 19. so did that reprobate Rich man in the Gospell : ) but herein reioyce that thou art rich vnto God , and x x 1 Pet. 3. 4. Verè diues , qui in Dei consp●ctu potest diues videri . Ambr. epist. 10. sed solum illum divitem D●us novit , qui sit diues aternitati . Ibid. in his sight , that thou fearest and seruest God , and y y 2 Cor. 1 12. labourest to keepe a good conscience , that thou art a z z 1 Pet. 4. 10. carefull dispenser and faithfull disposer of that treasure that God hath entrusted thee withall . Then thou art 5 5 5 Paulo sap●e is omnis liber , 1 Cor. 7. 22. Peire etiam diues est . 1. Pet. 3. 4. Ambros . epist. 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plato Ph●done . S lu● sapient diues est Ci● parad. 6. & apud Apul de philos. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. Philo de Nee. Qui pre●losissi●a qu● sunt possidet , is diues est . ●iqui pretiosissi●● res virtus est : hanc ergò cùm sapions solus possideat ; sapions solus diues est . Empir adv. Mathem . truely Rich , when thou art sincerely religious , when thou art truly righteous .

Secondly , the poore , they are likewise to be admonished , to labour for Godlinesse : that though they be not a a Luk. 12. 21. rich to the world , they may be rich yet to God ; and their worldly pouertie shall be no hindrance to their spirituall preferment . For b b Iam 2. 5. God ( saith the Apostle ) hath chosen the poore of this world to be rich in grace , and heires of his kingdome .

And here is great comfort for the poore man , that liueth a godly life , and maketh Conscience of his courses , hath a care to please God and to doe his will in all things , and to approue himselfe and his wayes to him , walking faithfully and painfully in the works of his calling , be it neuer so meane ; that though he be neuer so poore and bare , though he liue but from hand to mouth , as we say ; yea though he haue not one good rag to hang on his backe , or one good morsell of meat in a twelue-month to put in his mouth , though he haue not the least patch of land in the world to sustaine him , or the least hole that may be to hide his head in ; c c Diuites dicimus sapientes , iustos , bonos ; quibus pecunia vel parua vel nulla : magis enim sunt virtutibus diuites : pauperis verò auaros dicimus , semper inhiantes , semper egentes . Aug de ciu. l 7. c. 12. Pauper est pius ? etiam sic diues est . intus diues , foris pauper : pauper in cella , diues in conscientia . arcam respicis auro inanem ; conscientia respice Deo plenam : non habet extrinsecus facultatem ; sed habet intrinsecus charitatem . Aug. in Ps. 36. & de temp. 212 Inops auri , Deo diues est . quid hac virtute pauperius ? quid hac pauperiate ditius ? Math. 5. 3. Idem de verb. Ap. 26. Nemo apud Deum pauper est , visi qui iustitia indiget : nemo diues , nisi qui virtutibus plenus est . Lactant. instit. l. 5. c. 14. yet is he a rich man for all that , richer than Crassus or Croesus , or the wealthiest worldly man again in the world . For they haue but d d Luk. 16. 11. the false Riches , he the true treasure ; they haue but the counterfait e e Vitreum margaritum , non verum . Hieron . post Tertull . glassie pearle ; he hath that precious orient pearle , which f f Math. 13. 46. the wise Merchant , when he hath found , is content to sell all that euer he hath to purchase it , to forgo all that euer he is worth for the compassing of it ; and yet is he no looser by the bargaine neither . For as he is a Merchant , so is he also a wise Merchant ; and therefore knoweth well what he doth in so doing : he knoweth that in buying it , he buyeth himselfe and his owne safetie , his own eternall saluation , togither with it .

Againe , this serueth to ouerthrow the opinion of such persons as thinke that there is litle or no Gaine to be gotten vnder God , litle or no good at all to be gathered in Gods seruice . So the worldly men in Iobs day ; g g Iob. 21. 15. Who is the All-sufficient , say they , that we should serue him ? or what profit should we haue by praying vnto him ? And the wicked in Malachies time ; h h Malac. 3. 14. It is but in vaine to serue God : there is nothing to be gotten by keeping his commandements , and walking humbly before him .

Yea but , may some say , sure there be none such now a-dayes , especially among vs that make profession of Christianitie ; and therefore this vse of the point might well be spared .

If it be so with vs , i i Quiescat lingua , loquaturvita . Aug. in 1. Ioan. Efficacius est testimonium vita quam lingua . Aut●r de dupl martyr . let our Actions answer for vs ; let our practise proue it : And so we will turne the Vse from Reprehension to Examination , from Confutation to Conviction .

Let euery one by these Notes then examine himself , whither he be of this Opinion or no.

First , did men deeme Godlinesse to be a matter of Gaine , they would neuer thinke they had enough of it . For k k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eusebius apud Stob. t●m. 2. c. ●0 . ●quantūlibet improba , Crestant diuitiae , tamen Curtae nesci● quid semper abest rei Hor●a●m . 3. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Epictet . enchir . c. 61. Eccles. 6. 7. Nemo est cui foelicit● s●● , etiamsi cursu veniat , satisfaciat . Senec. Epist. 115. non potest expleri cupiditatibus , et●am●i expleatur diuitus . Ambr. de bono mert . c. ● . Auarus animus nullo satiatur lucre . S●n. ●p. 49. Riches are stintlesse ; there is no end of them . We neuer thinke that we haue wealth enough ; we are still labouring for more . l l Fortune multis 〈…〉 dat , ●●lli satis . Martial . l. 12. epigr. 10. Many men haue too much , and yet no man enough . There is no stint of wealth ; but as m m Non aliud an●●al eu ●●nore origine in ma●●●●● cr●scit magnitudinem 〈…〉 Plin. hist. ●●● . l. 8. c. 25. some write , though n n ●ise ●ul . ●●●ig d● subtil 〈…〉 . fabulously , of the Crocodile , that he groweth so long as euer he liueth : so it is too too true of this mysticall Crocodile , the desire of gaine and wealth , and of aduancing or enlarging mens worldly estates , hath no acme , non pitch , but groweth still more and more with men as long as they liue , o o Auaritia morbus senum proprius , lu●uria iuvenum : libidinis siquidem ignis pau●●tim extinguitur , & cum senectute consenescit : at auaritia augescit continuò , & cum senectute ipsa iuvenescit . Kolloc . in 1 Tim. 6. 10. Quid auaritia , quae rad●● est omnium malorum , nonne in frigidis senibus tanto ad acquirendum feruentius inardescit , quanto eitius relictura est quod acquirit ? Aug. de temp. 246. rifer oft with them then euer , when they are euen going out of the world , and haue one foot , as we vse to say , already in the graue .

But with Godlinesse men are soone satisfied ; they haue soone enough of it . If they haue attained to but a litle superficiall sprinkling of common Grace , or ciuill honestie , that commeth as far short of sound sanctification and sinceritie , as the shadow doth of the substance ; they begin presently to suppose , with selfe-conceited p p Apoc. 3. 17. Laodicea , that they are rich enough and neede nothing ; that q q Quomodo proficis , fi tibi ●am sufficis ? Bern. de consider . l. 2. Omnia i●● desunt , qui sibi nihil deesse putat . Ib. they haue no neede to labour for any further matter , they are euen as well as well may be , as neede be , at least .

No man is afraid of being too wealthy : but * * Nosti illud , Ne●● p●●● est , qui pietatem cauet . Caue qui ignam petes esse verius Cic. de sin . lib 2. Qui time● esse bo●●● , non times esse malus . Misocosm . de contempt mund. many are afraid of being too godly , r r Eccles. 7. 18. Modum esse religionis : nimium esse superstitissu● non oportere Cic. prodomo sua . Religeutē esse & portet , religiosi 〈…〉 . G●ll. l. 4. c 9. Ne sis nimium iustus ; Be not too iust , sticketh shrewdly on many a mans stomacke : though spoken s s Notata est non iustitia sapientis , sea superbia praesumentis . Aug in Ioan. 95. not of true Godlinesse or Righteousnes indeede ; but of nourishing in vs an ouer-weaning conceit of our selues ; or of t t Si quem rigidum & trucem ad omnia fratrum peccata conspexeris , &c. hunc scito plus iustum esse quam iustum est . Hieron in Eccles. Iustitia enim , nisi misericordi● temperetur , in crudelitatem degenerat , Lav●● in Eccles. Huc illud Plinij hist. nat. l. 18. c. 6. Nihil minus expedire , quam agrum optim● colere . Et , Agrum bend colere necessarium , optimè damnosum . being ouer-rigorous in censuring of others ; like u u Luk. 18. 11. the Pharisee in the Gospell , who , saith an ancient Writer very pithily and wittily , x x Dum in se singulariter ●●●●tat , aliji arroganter insultat ; & se solum decipit , quem solum excipit , dum al●●● damnat . Lern. de grad. humil . exulting arrogantly in himselfe insulteth insolently ouer others , and deceiueth himselfe alone , whom alone he excepteth , while he contemneth and condemneth all besides himselfe .

Secondly , Men would striue one to go beyond an other in Godlinesse , if they counted Godlinesse a matter of Gaine . For as the Heathen Writer well obserueth , y y ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hesiod . Vicimus diues cupiditatem irritat . Sen. epist. 7. there is a kinde of emulation commonly among worldly neighbors , whereby they emulate such as goe beyond them in wealth : one neighbour striueth to out-build an other , one to get and purchase more than another . The couetous man casteth his eye on his rich neighbors , z z ▪ hunc atque hune superare laborat : Vt quum carceribus ●●ss●s rapit vngula currus Instat equis auriga suos vincentibus illum praeteritum temnens eutremos inter euntem . Herat. serm , l. 1. sat. 1. as a man in a race doth on those that haue won ground of him , he striueth to get euen with this man , whom he is yet behind , to out-strip that man , whom he hath got euen withall . And the enuious man ( as those two vices are seldome asunder ) looking through the spectacles of enuie on his neighbours goods , a a Fertilier seges est alienis semper in aruis : vicinumque pecus grandius vber ●abet . Ovid. artis l. 1. 〈◊〉 nobis , nostra 〈…〉 t. P. Syrus . -maior● videtur , Et melior vi●●na seges . Juven: sat. 14. thinketh euery thing that his neighbor hath better than his own and it may be better than indeed it is , his grounds fertiler , his beasts fairer , his revenues larger , his gaines greater &c. and is ready enough oft to say with himselfe , Why should not my beasts looke a●●●ire a● hi● ? why should not my grounds yeeld as much as hi● ? why should not I thrine as well as he , hauing as good ●●dnes to thrine by a● he hath

And euen * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plat● d● 〈…〉 . ● . so wo●●●● be with vs , held we Godlinesse to be gainefull . We would haue a kinde of godly emulation and ambition among vs , as the Apostle speaketh , in matter of Godlinesse ; we would euen b b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. Cor. 12. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. Cor. 14. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 2. Cor. 9. 2. emulate , and c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Rom. 15. 2● . ● Cor. 5. 9. 1. Thess. 4. 11. ambitiously , as it were , striue and contend to out-go one an other in goodnes and grace . And this were d d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hesiod . a good and godly emulation , a goodly and a commendable strife and contention indeed . We would be eying of those that are got beyond vs in grace , and endeuour to get euen with them , yea , if it be possible , to out-strip them , and to cast them behind vs , e e Qui stadium currit , eniti & contendere debet , quàm maximè possit , vt vincat : supplantare eum qu●cum certet , aut manis depellere nullo modo debet . Chrysippu● apud Cicer. offic. l. 3. not by hindring their progresse , but by mending our owne pace , and f f Faciamus quod in itinere fieri solet : qui tardius exierunt , velocitate pe●sant moram . Senec. nat. quaest. l. 3. praefat. Quod facere solent , qui serius exeunt , & volunt tempus celeritate reparare , calcar add●mus . Idem epist. 68. by straining our selues to runne the faster , the later it was ere we entred into this race . We would be as ready as they are to say to our selues ; And why should not I be as forward in the feare of God , as Zealous , as religious , as I see such and such are , since I haue as good meanes of being godly as they haue , as many inducements as either they or any other can haue ?

But so stand the most affected , that they will not by their good will suffer any man to out-go them in wealth , in the way of the world : but they will let any man willingly out-go them in grace , and in the good wayes of God : there onely we straine courtesie , and giue euery one the way of vs . And as our Sauiour telleth the Scribes and Pharisees , that g g Math. 21. 31. the very Publicans and Harlots might go into the kingdome of Heauen before them : So not a few among vs will suffer the very Pagans , and Papists , litle better than Pagans , if not worse many of them than they , the very Heathen and Heretikes to go into heauen before them , ere they will striue to out-go them in goodnes and godlinesse .

Thirdly , men would be more affected with it , if they supposed any matter of Gaine to be in it . h h Populus me sibilat ; at mihi plau do Ipse domi , simulat nummos contemplor in arca . Horat. serm. l. 1. sat. 1. The couetous miser , saith the Heathen man , while the people either curse or hi●●e at him abroad , yet he pleaseth and cheereth himselfe the whilest with the sight or the consideration of his substance at home . It doth a man good at the very heart , euen to thinke vpon his riches , and but i i Eccles. 5. 10. to looke vpon his treasure . It will make our hearts to spring and leap within vs for ioy , to haue sodaine newes brought vs of some rich legacie , or large patrimonie by some meanes befallen vs .

But of this spirituall wealth and gaine most men are meerely stupide and senseles : No more moued commonly or affected , when either , ( if any time at least they so do , ) they thinke on it , or when they heare it spoken of in the Pulpit ; then ( as a Philosopher said sometime of an ignorant Dol●●itting in the Theater , where the seats were of marble , that k k 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aristipp●● apud L●●●tium l. 2. One stone sate vpon an other : ) then , I say , either the benches that they sit vpon , or the pillers that they leane against : Not once stirred at all to heare of the heauenly inheritance , or of holinesse , the meanes that must bring them to heauen , yea that worketh in mens hearts a kinde of l l Philip. 3. 20. heauen vpon earth , and giueth Christian men seizin of heauen euen while they liue here . An euident argument that either they beleeue not the Gaine of it , or they beleeue not themselues to haue any share in it .

Fourthly , men would be oft taking account of their Gaines in this kinde , of their thriuing in Godlinesse , if they held Godlinesse to be so gainefull . m m 〈…〉 . Worldly men are very frequent and diligent herein , very carefull to keepe their bookes of receipt and expense , poaring euer and anon on them , running oft ouer their reckonings , and casting vp their accounts , to see how they thriue or pare in the world , how they goe forward or backward in wealth .

But where we shall finde a man that hath the like care of keeping & casting vp his spiritual accounts , of n n Ps 4. 4 & 119. 59. Zeph. 2. 1. 1. Cor. 11. 28. 2. Cor. 13. 5. examining himselfe for his spirituall estate , how he thriueth or pareth with the graces of Gods Spirit , how he goeth forward or backward in goodnes or Godlinesse ? And yet would our care be alike for either , did we equally apprehend the gaine of either . But let vs looke vnto it . For whither we call our selues to account here or no , God will questionlesse one day call vs to an account . And then not onely o o Luk. 15. 13. the prodigall Sonne , and the p p Luk. 16. 1. vnfaithfull Steward , that hath the one vnthriftily lauished out his patrimonie , and the other riotously wasted his masters wealth ; but q q Math. 25. 30. the idle and vnprofitable Seruant to● , that hath not gained with his Talent , that hath not thriuen with the Grace of God bestowed on him , shall be bound hand and foot , and cast out into vtter darknes , where shall be weeping and wailing , and gnashing of teeth .

Fiftly , men would make more account of Godlinesse , if they counted it as Gaine . Did they indeed account Godlinesse more gainefull than Gaine , they would not put Godlinesse away for Gaine , they would not prefer Gaine before Godlinesse . Yea did they deeme Godlinesse the gainfullest thing in the world , they would not forgo Godlinesse for a world of wealth , or for ought else that were in the world .

But it is with it , as it is with Time . It is a common saying in euery mans mouth , that r r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Theophrastus apud L●●rtium & Anti●ho apud Plutarch . Antonio . There is nothing in the world more precious than Time , and yet s s Quem mihi dabis qui preti● aliquod tempori p●nat . ●en . epist. 1. Non exig●ū temp●● is habemus , sed multum perdimus : non ●●●pes eius , sed prodigi sumus astricti sunt homines in con●inend● patrimonio : simul ad temporis iactur ●m ●e●tum est , prof●siss●mi in eo , ●uius vnius auari ia honesta est . Idem de brev , vit. c. 1 & 3. there is nothing generally more trifled away than it . So of Godlinesse the most will ( in word at least ) acknowledge , that there is nothing in the world more gainefull than it , and yet the most of them that so say , sticke not to make it away for meere trifles . t t Ad mere●●●●ij sumus ; ad mercedem impij . honesta q●ād●● aliqua illis spes inest , sequi●ur : in co●●ra●ium transi●●●i , si plus scelera promi●●●nt . Senec. epist 113. Et genus & virtus , nisi cum re , vilior alga est . Horat. serm. lib. 2. sat 5. Godly they are content to be for aduantage , so long as Godlines bringeth in any worldly Gaine with it , or so long as there is no hope of any the like Gaine by vngodlinesse . But let Godlinesse cease to bring in such Gaine , they grow soone weary of it : or let but the least hope of such Gaine by vngodlinesse shew it self , & they are ready presently to exchange Godlinesse for it .

u u Matth. 16. 26. What should it auaile a man , saith our Sauiour , to winne the whole world , and loose his owne soule ? It were no Gaine for a man to get the whole world by vngodlinesse ; since he must withall loose himselfe , his life , his soule for his labour . But we are ready and willing , the most of vs , to part with Godlinesse , and forgo good Conscience , for far lesse matters then that commeth to , for a penny or an halfe-penny toy now and then ; to exchange it for some small peece or patch of the world , for some sory snip or stired of the pelfe of it , or for ought else that we haue some fond fancie vnto , the couetous worldling for a litle temporarie treasure , and the lasciuious wanton for a litle transitorie pleasure : like x x Hebr. 1● . 13. ex Gen. 25. 33. prophane Es●● , that sold his birth-right for a messe of broth , and y y Pr. 28 21. Frusto pa●●● cō●●ci potest , vel vti tac●at , v●l vti loqu●●ur . ●ato in C●liu● apud G●lliū l. 1. c. 15. Salomons vniust iudge , that would d● 〈…〉 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 se●● of bread , and z z Ezech. 13. 9. the false Prophets in Eechiels time , that would pollute Gods name for an handfull of barly .

That which euidently sheweth at how low a rate most men value Godlinesse . For as a a a Abst●m : in fabulis . scoffing companion sometime told the Bishop that would giue him his blessing when he would not giue him an halfe-penny , that If his blessing had bin worth an halfe-penny , he should not haue had it . So if worldly men thought Godlinesse , and the Feare and Fauour of God worth but an halfe-penny , they would not venture to put either away for an halfe-penny matter : they would not so readily exchange either for trifles , did they not make but a trifling matter of either .

Neither may the greater sort of such men auoide this imputation , and wash their hands with b b Math. 27. 24. Pilate from the soile of this sinne , because they are wont to make Godlinesse away for greater matters . To omit c c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Plato apud Plut. de vtil. ex inimic . Thesaur●● omnibus pretiosior est vir●us . Apul. de Philosoph . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Euripid . apud Stob. ton . 2. c. 1. Vilius argentum est auro , virtutibus aurum . Horat. epist. Virtus praemium est optimum : virtus omnibus reb●● anteit . Plaut. Amphitr . 2. 2. that euen the greatest of them will beare no weight at all , if they be laid in the ballance against Godlinesse , when the whole world it selfe is too light to weigh against it . Thou thy selfe , who euer thou art , wilt cry out shame on some poore silly wretch , that shall forsweare himselfe , and so damne his soule , as thou thy selfe saist , for a penny , when thou dost thy selfe , it may be , in effect as much for somewhat more . But do thou consider , as d d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aristippus apud Laert. l. 2. Aristippus sometime told Plato , that a penny may be as much to him as a pound is to thee , and a pound no more with thee than a penny with him : and therefore doest thou value Godlinesse at as low a rate in stretching and straining of thy Conscience for the one , as he in tentering it for the other .

Lastly , men would be content to take more paines for the compassing and increasing of it in themselues , if they held Godlinesse to be gainefull . Men can well endure to sit telling and taking money , and it were all day long , from morning to dark night : But to heare the word , but an houre , whereby the spirituall Gaine is gotten , the most can hardly endure : they sit all that while on thornes , and thinke euery minute an houre , and are neuer well till all be done . They say , or thinke at least with themselues , as the prophane Iewes sometimes said , e e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Malac. 1. 12. What a toyle , or a tediousnes is here ? what needeth so much preaching ? what needeth so long praying ? they thinke they might be as well , if not much better , without either : Yea many can not endure so long as till the houre be at an end . To whom God may well say , as our Sauiour to his drowsie Disciples , f f Math. 26. 40. What , could yee not watch an houre with me ? So , Can yee not endure to waite an houre on me , that watch so many ouer you ? On g g Si ab isia hora , qua verbum Dei praedicare ceperim , gemm●s , vel annulos , vel monilia erogarem , an non filij mei stare & accipere vellent ? &c. Aug. homil. 26. worldly Mammon they could be well content to waite all day long , with forbearance not of disport onely , but of ordinarie diet too , that would thinke much but halfe an houre in the day to waite vpon him .

Againe , * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Antipha apud Stob. c. 10. Cogit auarities miser●s & caca cupido Noctes at● dies niti praest●●te labore , Lu●●●● . de nat. rer●m lib. 3. for worldly wealth men can toile and moile all the weeke long ; and yet are they not wearie ; they thinke not the whole weeke long enough neither : But for the heauenly Gaine , for the spirituall thrift , we haue but one day of seuen , and we thinke that too much too : we thinke the day all too long , the labour all lost , and the whole time cast away , that we imploy and spend to this purpose . We say as the same Iewes at an other time said ; h h Amos 8. 5. When will the New Moone be past ; and the Sabbath once ouer ? that we may returne againe vnto our worldly affaires . Yea many among vs haue not the patience to tarry so long , but spend a great part of the Sabbath , that is Gods Market or Mart-day , for the getting of this spirituall Gaine , either about their worldly affaires . or their bodily delights .

The Sabbath day , I say , is Gods Market-day . And those that seeke to take away the Sabbaths , attempt to put downe Gods Markets , and so do the Deuill good seruice , whatsoeuer their intent be . As frequenting of Markets maketh a Rich man ; so keeping of Sabbaths maketh a rich Christian . And as we count him a bad Husband , that followeth Game on the Market-day : so may we as well count him a spirituall vnthrift , that spendeth the Sabbath in that sort .

But may some say , when we haue bin at Church , and heard the Sermon and Seruice , is not Gods Market-day then done ?

I answer : If the Sabbath be i i Lecit . 23. 32. Matth. 28. 1. a day , then is it not so soone done . * * Debet totus dies festium à Christiano expendi in operibus sanctis . Rob. Grosthed Lincoln . Epist. in Decalog . pracept . 3. Gods Market lasteth all day long .

Yea , grant the principall , because the publike , of it bee past : yet as Market-folks returning from Market will bee talking of their Markets , as they goe by the way , and be casting vp of their penny-worths , when they come home , reckon what they haue taken , and what they haue laid out , and how much they haue gotten : So should we , after we haue heard the word publikely , conferre priuately of it with others ; at least meditate on it by our selues , and be sure to take an account of our selues , how we haue profited that day by the word that hath bin spoken vnto vs , and by other religious exercises that haue bin vsed of vs . And as the Market-man counteth that but an euill market-day , that he hath not gained somewhat on more or lesse : So may we well account it an euill Sabbath to vs , whereon we haue not profited somewhat , whereon we haue not either increased our knowledge , or bin bettred in affection ; whereon we haue not bin further either informed in iudgment , or reformed in practise , whereon we haue added no whit at all to our Talent .

To winde vp all in a word . If we hold Godlinesse to be , as the Apostle here saith it is , a matter of Gaine , and of great Gaine , that which maketh Gaine to be Gaine , and without which Gaine it selfe is no Gaine indeede ; that k k Omnia adsunt bona , quem penes est virtus . ( pietas . ) Plaut. Amphitr . 2. 2. it bringeth all good with it to him that hath it ; and that it neuer leaueth him , but abideth with him , and sticketh by him for euer : Oh let vs labour then to get of it , and to grow more and more in it ; let vs endeuor to out-go one an other in Godlinesse ; let vs call our selues to a reckoning how we thriue or pare in it ; let vs l l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Solon apud Plut. d●●ig●●● 〈…〉 & d●●tili● . 〈…〉 . & do tranquill . not put it away for such trifles and toyes as the world or the m m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Chrysost. tom 7. eclog. 30 & tom. 6. serm. 73. & in Math. hom. 3. Deuill shall tender vnto vs to bereaue vs of so pretious a pearle ; Especially let vs haue a care of frequenting n n Esai . 55. 1. Gods markets , of obseruing Gods Sabbaths , the principall meanes of increasing this spirituall wealth in vs . So shall it come to passe that we shall haue God to be our portion ; we shall be heires of his Kingdom , and coheires with his Christ ; we shall haue all the good things both of this life and the next assured vnto vs here , and the full fruition of them for euer hereafter .

The end of the first Part.