AMongest the hole multitude of euyls throwen vpon mankynde , in this mortal lyfe A poore man leding a godly lyfe , is better than the riche that goeth in froward wayes pro , xxviii is to be feared most greuouslye . The prickyng thornes of ryches which these welthy worldlinges be endewed withal in soch superflus habondaunce , that alas it is to be lamented . Consydering the great daunger , & perel / those men be in , whyche possesse the same , & thinke it no part theyr bōden office , & dutie , to mynistre vnto the poore membres of Christe , accordynge vnto the Gospell , But continuallye laboure , and studye , to enryche them / & theyr posteritie euen , as the vse therof , apparteyned vnto them only , & none other inuentinge , by al the meanes they may possyble , to get & obtayne riches , landes & possessions , with great trauell and care of mynde / as though the thing ones gotten / shuld euer remayne / & Worldlye ryches is but a mutable thing ● passeth away like to ● dream styl continue with them / or else at the leaste / theyr chyldren and frendes / to enioye the same after the getters decease : These kynde of men , lytle pondereth , or weigheth in theyr mindes , This fearful sayeng of our Sauiour christ , spoken in the. xvi . of S. lukes gospel , wher it is said , Come and geue nowe accompte , of thy Bayly wyke stand forth , Let me see , what accompt thou canst render , of soche goodes as thou hast had lent to the , & how thou wilt dyscharge thy selfe , of the dystrubucion of them vnto whose vse thou wast appoynted to haue the kepynge of thy riches , & not vnto thy nowne goo to make a reconing quickly , Oh merciful lord , shal this street accompt , by thys of the ryche worldlynges demaunded , yea truly , for when the euening cometh , which is the end of this world , them shal Where the fayth of christ is , ther is loue to the brethren . euery man gyue a iuste reconing of his Bayliewyke , and take his reward good or bad , accordinge as he hath enployed his Talant here . Now if thou canst discharge thys thyne accompte , iustly and truly . Then was theyr neuer any earthly lorde , that so rewarded hys seruauntes , as thy lorde then thy audytoure wil reward the , for he wyl gyue the lyfe & ioye , euerlastynge , But & yf thou o ryche man , be negligent & regard not thine own velthe , & take no hede vnto thys thy reconing , no tong can expres the soro we & payne , that thou shalt suffre . Therfore , the desyre of so great ioye , & dred of so horryble payne , yea al thoughe thou haddest no loue of god in thy harte , yet at the leaste way it shuld make the continually to remember , that theyr must be accompte made of thy Baylywyke , Therfore be circumspect , & learne thys lesson of the wycked stewarde & make you frendes , of the wycked Mammon , which is your ryches , that when ye haue runne your course in this transitorious lyfe , & depart Luke xvi . hence , they may receaue you into euerlasting habitacions , Consider o thou ryche man , which wyth al thy studyouse diligence , laboureth & continually , trauelleth , with all thy wytte & endustrye to obtayne riches , & to be of great substaunce , to purchase ample & great possessions , as though thou shuldest inheret the yearth euer . Marke Luke , vi what is sayd to the in the gospell , Wo be to you that ar ryche . That haue therin your consolation , Wo be to you that ar full , for ye shall honger , Wo be to you that now laughe for ye shal way●e Luke . xvi . & wepe . &c. Oh how farre passeth the wysdome of the chyldren of thys worlde , from the chyldren of lyghte . For what soeuer he be whych loueth money and fyxeth hys harte vpon the vayne riches and substaunce of thys worlde , Eccle , v ●s neuer contented nor satisfied for all hys delyght , and pleasure ●s in ryches and yet , for all that saythe the wyse precher , he shall haue no profyt therof . Is it not to be greuously lamented and so ●owed , to se what insaciable desyre many men haue to get ryches and be so careful & studiouse for It is a helly payn to be infected wyth a couetous mynde the optayninge of the same , that in maner al theyr whole care & study is the way . And vnto what end & purpose , do they thus torment them selues nothinge else , but to heape vp , & gather in , to enryche theyr chyldren , wyfe , & frendes , to be lordes ouer the poore , and to lyue here in great welthines , hauing no consideracion of this streat accompt , to be rendred , both for the inordynat gathering therof , and also for the not helpyng of theyr weake brothers , whych peryshe for exterme neade , & lake of thynges necessary to mayntayn them and theyr familie , And many be The myserable lyfe of the couetous man is not to be excogitate . yet so myserable in gettyng goodes , and ryches , that they pynche theyr bodyes , aswell by the trauel labour , & payne which continually they take , but also be soch nigardes that truly it is to them a helly payne to bestow some part of ther money , vpon theyr owne belys . And many tymes for feablenes beinge exersysed in theyr couetuouse chrachynge vp / this worldly glase , whyche is all but vanitie , that they dye myserably To these men speaketh the wyse Eccle. xiiii man , whyche sayth nothynge is more wycked , and vngracious , than is a couetous man , for theyr syluer nor theyr gold shal not be Doph● . i. able , to delyuer them in the daye of the Lordes wrathe . Therfore beware o thou ryche couetous man that thou gette not thy goodes , wrongfully as by extorcion stelth vsury , or deceyte , yf that thou haue than wo shal be vnto the , at thys dredfull daye , of thyne accompt makynge , for thus sayth S. austen , Austen , i. yf he be cast into the fyre that hath not geuen of his own goodes iustely gotten . Wher shall he be caste that hath stolen other mens goodes , thynkest thou ? Or yf he shall brene with the fende ? that hath not clothed the naked . Where iudgest thou he shall berne , that hath made naked those that ware clothed . Oh howe fewe dothe thes ryche men cloth now a dayes . Almost none , but careth al to cloth him selfe ( & his ) Remember what the scripture Eccle , iiii . sayth vnto hym . That of his car ful trauel hath no end . And that his eyes cannot be satisfyed wyth riches , nor wil excogitate with him self , ( & saye ) for whom do I take this paynfull trauell . For whose pleasure do I thus consume my Eccle , ii lyfe . And yet after all hys labours , he shal be fayne to leaue hys goodes to another . That ne uer traueled nor swet for theym , therfore is it not a vayne thynge To it not a great follye & madnesse to be carful for those why the he ●oth not know and a great myserie , for a man all the dayes of hys lyfe to trauel laboure & studye to enryche other whych shal ( euen hys own sonne ) Caste ▪ hys armes abrode , & in all ●alcyuyousnes , & wantonnesse consume this riches which thou hast so greuously al the dayes of thy lyfe cared for , yea in a smale tyme he shal wast & spend it awaye ryotously , And vnthryftely , art y● goodes gotten by couetousnes is s●ent las●iuyously many tymes , of y● eyr●s not the cause of this euyl thy self whych by thy lyfe woldest not bestowe thy substance , according , as thou art bounden . Bothe by the commaundemente of God , and the lawe of nature . Doeste thou not vnderstande that the bread of the hongrye is the lyfe of the poore . And he that defraudethe him of his bread defraudeth him of his lyfe . And is it not also wryten . Prou. xi . He that trusteth in proue● . xi prouer. ix . riches , shal come to nought , And it is muche better to haue a lytle wyth the feare of the lorde , than great & insaciable treasures . Be holde sayth the holy prophet ●f , xxxvii● . Dauid in the thyrd & eyght psalme . He heapeth vp treasure , and yet knoweth not he for whom he gathereth it , is it not more than madnes ( yea ) very madnes it selfe . To be so desyrious of great ryches whiche is so daungerous , & excludeth many out of the kyngdom of heauen , it is sayd in the gospel . My lytle Math. xix babes , how hard is it for them that trust in theyr riches , to enter into the kingdom of heuen , wherby it is more easyer , for a cable , to go The entering of the ryche into heauen is is harde . thorow the eye of a nedle , than a ryche man to enter into the kingdom of heuen , Ponder wel these wordes o thou man , which art choked wyth the thornes of ryches , & worldly substaunce , weigh I say from the bottom of thy hart , what perel , & Ieoperdy , Esaye ▪ ● thou art in , whych ioyne house to house , & felde to felde , shal ye alone inhabit the erth ? The precher Eccle. ●i in the second of his boke sayth I made gorgious fayre workes . I buylded my houses orchardes & gardeyns of pleasure . I gathered syluer , & gold , plentie . &c. And I se al is vanitie vnder the sonne , shalt thou not leaue al these thinges To other , what madnes is thys sayth S. Austen , to lese lyfe , & ●u●u , ●●● grace , & to procure , the soules dampnacion to wynne gold & lose heauen , psalm , li●●● And therfore sayth the prophet psal. liiii . vnhappynes , shal compasse the , round about , trauel & vnrighteousnes , in the middes among them Abacuc . ●● . doth not the prophet Abacuc saye . Wo be to them that gathereth together . That whyche is not of hys own . And heapeth vp thicke clay agaynst him self : Therfore saith a holy Doctour . The clay of Egypt The claye of Egypt is f●eshlye cauetynge ●arnal plesures , and transytorious thynges of this worlde . is toughe stincking , & medled with bloode , & the slattes were harde to be vndone . For they were baken with the fyre of couetous , & with the layre or earth of lustes : Alas in this do trauel ryche men & in this thei watche lyeng await for poore men . Here what is said of soche . Thei haue led their dayes in vanitie & welth . And in a momente they be gone done into hel , this is a fearful sentence , to be feared of these ryche worldlinges But alas I feare that twoo thinges specially , make men thus to lyue by coueting & rape of other mens goodes . That is desyre of honor and drede of pouertie . But take hede & beware sayth S. Lu. in the Luke . v● vi . of his gospel of couetousnes . For no mans lyfe standeth in the abō daunce of thinges which he possesseth . And S. Austen sayth , we se Austen sayth he , that rauenous fyshes , haue some measure . For when they honger , they reap & eate . But when they be ful , they spare . But the couetous ryche man , he is neuer satisfyed nor fulfylled , but euer he taketh . And neuer hath ynough , Ryches endureth but a moneth & the owners also ●anisheth in the twync●lls of an eye ▪ zacha ▪ vi without dred of god or shame of man He occupieth dead mens goodes , as thoughe he shulde neuer dye To soche it shal be sayde : thou foole This night wyl they fetch away thy soule from the. Than whose shall thou thynges be , that thou hast so gredely gathered together . what vengeaunce falleth of thys synne of coueteusnesse . Rede in the Prophet zacharia the syxte chapter / and thou shalt se. Whan zachary was commanded of the angel to lyfe vp his eyes to se what it was that goeth out , the prophete askynge what it was , it was answered , This is the pot goyng out And that is the eye of the earth , thys potts couetyse , whych euer more gapeth after worldely goodes ryches and honoure / And as Ryches is the gods of the u●ady , the lycoure in the pot profyteth not to the pot self . But vnto them that drawe , & drinke therof , so worldly goodes , ofte profyteth not the keper . But other that come after for it is wrytten . He that hath money , shall haue no fruit of it , ful sore be the couetous persones blinded . That they se not howe they shuld come to heauen . But to win ne transitorie thynges , they haue as manye eyes as Argus had & mo , for they ar like to owles and nightroues that seethe better by He that hath not compassyon of the poore loueth not god , nyght than by daye . And thorow this vyle auarice / a man doth lose the pytie , he shuld haue of his own soule . For by that dedly synne is lost the lyfe of the soule . In gettyng ryches & therby is lost also the pytie they shulde haue vnto theyr bodyes , putting them selues in much great ieoperdie , both by sea , & land , & also leseth the ruthe and compassion , they shuld haue of Iob. xx other poore mens indigence and nead , for it is sayd when he is fylled he shal be stopped , oh what ty rable sayinges of the scriptures be these , wyl they not take away that inpietie whych is thus closed by obstynacion that this coue tousnes may go out of the ryche mans hart / by repentance / & to fol low the sayenge of christ whyche sayth in the gospel of S. lu. That Luke . xvi . he whych is faythful in that which is leste , the same is faythefull in moche . And he that is vnfaithful in the least , is vnfaythful also in moch So then yf ye haue not bene faithful Math. vi . in the wycked mammon , Who wil beleue you in that which is trew , yf ye haue not bene faythful in another mans busines , who shal geue you your own , As who shuld say Whosoeuer hath the substance of this worlde ought to be a distributter to the poore , the ryche couetous man , is but the keper for the poore , & ought to be a iuste & true mynyster , & a faythful distrubutter as wel in the least as in the moche , that is to geue of hys lytle as of his moche , quantitie for quantity , beyng his own for no man lyueth to him selfe but to benefyte other . And therfore yf the ryche men , be not faythful in the poore mans busynes , who shal geue hym his owne , for god shal for not doynge hys bonden dutie vnto his weake brethren , take psa , xxxv●● it from him ( for it is wrytten ) Thei beare no burdens , but be in al ease and riches . They be not oppressed wyth mortal myserye of men neather pinched wyth nead , lyke other men wherfore they ar pufte vp wyth pryde . They be droned in myschefe , & iniury , so that for theyr welthy ryches . They be geuen to al lustes & follow the desyres of theyr owne hartes . But lord how sodenly are they banisshed , & destroyed . And with sondrie myschefes consumed . &c. Wo to the proud welthy in Sy● , euen soche as thinke them selues sure vpon the mounte Samaria , lo these vngodlye The ryche do neglecte the necestie of their brethren ryche men , thynke to possesse theyr ryches perpetually , They drinke theyr wine out of goblets playeng vpon istruments , anoynting theyr heads with the best oyle , but no man is sory for Iosephs hurt . No man tendereth the nead of other . Euery man hopeth in vayne thynges . And prouideth for his own , he is a wyse man which can by his wit and pollicie get & heap ryches to gether & moch in estimacion with the wycked . O say they , se how the worlde goeth wyth thys man / he hath by hys endustrie in fewe yeres gotten great substance & possessions surely he is a wyse man . ●pot . ●●●● . But what is wrytten of soche worldly wyse . Wo be vnto them that ar wyse in theyr own syght . And thynke them selues , to haue vnderstanding ●uc . xvi Math. vi for that which is hyghly estemed among men is in the lyght of god . Ryches is a perelous trape , & many be taken in the snare , for by the inordynate coueting therof , many heapeth vp theyr own destruction , for the pleasure therof in the end it is verye greuous & bytter . The ryche glotton that had so great pleasure in his ryches , was caste down into hel . The great riche Epulo whiche Epulo fared so deliciouslye & hadde soch an insaciable couetous hart to haue treasure / had poured into hys mouth hoote molten gold as the hystorie maketh mencion . Couetyse , is cause that ryche men , eate poore men , euen as beastes eate grasse . And wyl not let them grow vp , but kepeth them loo not helpinge them in theyr necessities / but setteth theyr pasture from them . S Ambrose Ambro. de suo ubell● de ●●both wel painteth fourth these ryche couetous men , saying how farre wyll ye ryche men stretch oute your couetousnes , wyl ye dwel alone vpon the erth , & haue no poore men with you , why put you out your felowe in kynd & couite ryches & and possessions , which kynde & nature hath made commen to all both poore & riche , wil ye then ryche men chalenge propertie therin . Nature & kynde , knoweth no ryches , for she bryngeth fourthe all men poore . Naked we come & naked the earth taketh vs agayn , nature maketh no difference betwen ryche & poore , loke among the dead bones , and se yf thou canst know the ryche from the poore . What auaylethe thy ryches then o thou couetous man , whych arte neuer fully satisfied so long as thou art in this corrupt & stincking fleshe Behold how god hath plaged couetous persones , for Innocentius Innocen . speaking of the harme . That cometh of couetousnes saythe , Oh how many men hath couetousnes deceyued & spylled , for couetousnes Num. xxii sake . Wold not Balaam for gyftes that kyng Balac promysed to haue cursed Israel dyd not his own asse reproue his conscience , & hurt his fote at a wall & not wythstanding yet he was ouercome . And lead awaye wyth couetousnes : Achane was stoned for Ios●● ▪ ●●● couetousnes . Gyhesye was stryken with leprosy for sellyng of Amanes helth that came by the grace of god , & many moo as Iudas king Achab & other innumerable whiche couetousnes , hath broughte to distruction ( for it is wrytten ) . psalm xii . The couetouse man shall receyue punyshment when he dieth , & also it is wrytten in Hierime the. ix . cha. I●tem . ix . Let not the ryche man glorye in his ryches . For they be mutable and transitorye thinges . It was not with out cause that the wyse man sayde . Blessed is the man , that is found without spot , & hath not gone after gold nor hath had truste in the treasure of money . Whyche is he , & we wyll prayse hym , for he hath done myracles in hys lyfe ( as though he wolde say ) ther is none , or at the leaste very fewe / but al knowe & perceaue in them selues , what gredy desyre & loue , they haue to money . And yet to blear the eyes of the poore , this couer of shame , & vyce . Hath couetyce , whych they cal bodely sustenance , neadful to natur / vnder shadow of the which couetyse to obtayne ryches , doth labour īordinately , & vnsaciably out of rule & al godli measure , by al● meanes possible he can ymagen thus with al his dilygence , he goeth after gold , & trusteth in the treasure of his money , & wil not suffre hys money to followe hym / & that money may remaine for his sake . And not he for the money sake , lyke as a bondman to hys Mammon , to loue the money , & to set hys harte vpon it for wher Luc. xii Luc. xvi your tresure is , ther shal be your harte , also . For ye cannot serue God and Mammon together , & for thys cause the apostell ●aull he calleth no other synne Idolatrie . But onely couetousnes , for a couetous man declareth hys carnal wil , and how that he hath more trust in hys ryches , then in God . For he thynketh to haue more gayne by hys money than by god . It is to be lamented to se these wealthy worldlinges what maner of glorie and confydence , they haue in theyr riches , calling and substaunce , for yf they be not yet of the notable soorte , of the myghty ryche couetous men , Yet yf they be extolled to anye offyce but as feed men , It loke they a lofte wyth a lordly countenaunce vpon theyr inferyours , whyche hathe theyr lyuinges of the same fountayne , out of the which they same lycoure for theyr owne lyuynges , as though the same ware thrall or bonden seruants vnto them whych is contrarye vnto the sayinge of S. Luke , in the. vi . chapter ●u●e . vi of his gospel , whych sayth an euyl man , yet vseth lyberalytye vnto hys frendes . And the brutall beestes , of theyr own kynde be good , and lyberall , vnto theyr owne nature , how moch therfore oughte a christen man , thynke it a hygher thynge , that hys goodnes and lyberalytie , shuld helpe them , that be indigent . Euen those whych deserue it not . Yea , hys enemyes , and euen then that haue hurte hym . For except thou help thy enemy whych hath neade of thy help , and soccour hym in his necessytie , it is euen as thou haddeste stolen from hym . For thou arte bonden to helpe hym . So sayth S. Ambrose , ( fede the hongrye Ambrose . saythe he ) for yf thou fede hym not , thou kyllest hym , as moche as in the is , For yf thou be a couetous man , and dwellethe in thy riches . Thou hast nether charytie here in earth vnto thy brethren nor to God in heauen , for thou beareste thys pote as is before spoken of , Into the lande of Samar●e . That is to saye : into the land of stenche , ( that is hell ) for theyr is stenche in steade of swet smellynge . Beware o thou couetous ryche man . That liueth to thy owne comodytie . That thou go not with thys pote into the lake of darkenes . Consydre that thou muste render a streate accompt of thy bayly wike . Therfore bestow thy substaunce discretelye . And make the frendes of this wycked Mammon , whyles thou arte the vser of it ( for else ) Thou shalte be an inhabyter of euerlastinge death , & shalt there paye the vttermost farthing . Oh Lorde that euery ryche man wolde consyder what his dutie , and office ware toward his poore brethren . Then wolde he not be so gredy to heape and gather riches To that end to vse them as many doth , vnto theyr owne destruction , as it is moche to be feared . For amongest all kynde of men , ryche couetous men , be so blynded in the duste of theyr substaunce . That they wil not se , the necessytie of the poore , but with al diligence , loketh vnto them selues theyr chyldren and familie , Lyuing in all lustes and pleasures as in sumptious farre , Gorgyous apparell / gallant and fayre houses . Of these it is wrytten . They satte done to eate , and rose agayne to playe . Oh wold vnto the lyuing god , that the ryche men wolde remember who are theyr chyldren . Then shuld they fynde that the hongrye , thyrsty , naked , sycke and straungers , by theyr chyldren . For whom god hath Euery ryche mans house is an hospifor the nedy made theyr houses an inne , or an hospital , for them to be releued in . Take example of Lote whyche shewed mercy vnto the poore . And hyde them in hys house buryeng them by nyght , whych were slayne by the fylthy Sodomytes , and beware thou be not like vnto the ryche glotton whyche ●u . x● i ▪ ● despysed the nead of poore Lazarus . For the ryche man was buryed in hel , and Lazarus was receaued into the bossome of Abraham . By whych storye it is euydently declared , that the substance , of the ryche , appartayneth vnto the poore , and those whych haue not to defend the cares of this lyfe , thou art bounden to help in al that in thy lyeth , For a sacrifice well pleasinge vnto god , is to Ec●l . xxxv attende to his commaundementes , and to depart from al iniquitie , and vnryghteousnes , shewynge mercy vnto thy dettours , as the Mat. xviii Lorde dyd vnto hys seruaunte . And gather not your treasure vpon the earthe , where ruste and mothes corrupte , and where theues Math. v● . breke thorowe & steale . But gather youre treasure , together in heauen where neyther ruste nor mothes &c. That thou mayste ●u● , xii , be blessed as Salomon sayth in the iii. of his Pro. Blessed Prou , ii● is the man , that fyndeth wysdom and obtayneth vnderstandinge , for the gettyng of it , is better then any marchandyse of syluer , & the proffyte of it is better then gold . Therfore , there is no precyous stones to be compared wyth vnderstandyng applye thy mynd oh ryche man to vnderstande the dutye vnto thy poore brethren , whome thou art bounden to succoure helpe and loue . For saynete Jhon in hys secounde epystle saythe , he that loueth his brother , abydethe in the lyghte and he that hateth hys brother , walketh in darkenes , and cannot tell whether he goethe for darkenes hath blynded hys eyes . Se therfore that ye loue not the worlde neyther the thynges , the lou●ts of ●world loue not god . that a● in the world . For yf any man loue the world , the loue of the father is not in hym . For al that is in the worlde , is lust of the fleshe , Luste of the eyes , and pryde of goodes whyche vanyssheth awaye and the lust therof ▪ But the couetous ryche men , be of the world , and therfore speake Ihon. iiii . they of worldly thynges and the worlde heareth them , they be also louers of them selues , and make al the prouisyons possyble for the maynteynaunce of theyr owne belys , & to be estemed , had in reputacion , and great reuerence , for theyr ryches sake , seakyng and procuryng myghty frendes vnto whom they make great feast●s and banckytynge hauynge plentye and haboundaunce of al thynges thus the worlde loueth the world , and the ryche cheryssheth the ryche . But the nead ye poore brethren haue skase the crons or scrapes whyche falleth frome theyr tables . And yet many tymes , yf they gyue a halpenie or a peny to a poore man , it is thought to be a great benefyte vnto him . Or yf they call a poore house holder , hauinge wyfe and chyldren , hauing no help to get his liuing to soccour them wythal , yet yf he and hys wyfe haue theyr bely ful of meat at the ryche mans table Theyr children cryeng for honger at home , yet thynke they to haue done a charitable almes . Alas thys is farre from the almes and loue whyche thou oughtest to do vnto thy nedye brother , For o thou ryche man whych hast plentye of gold syluer and other substaunce , lyeng by the , beyng more then that shal be sufficient or requysyt for thine own vse , but only to horde & kepte it in thy store box , & the same to lye , vnocupied , hauynge ouer ( and aboue that , ) to mayntayne thy state and occupienge , accordyng thy tn vocation thou ar bonden to distribute lend and gyue it vnto soche as wante and as wolde therby lyue wythe moderacion and honestye ( for it is written ) he that doth aske gyue , and from hym that wolde borow turne not thy face , for we knowe S , Iohn . That we ar translated i , Ioh. iiii . from death vnto lyfe , because we loue the brethren . But he that loueth not hys brother , abydeth in deathe , & who so euer hateth hys brother is a manssear : Do we not herby ( saythe he ) perceaue . That for loue he gaue hys lyfe for vs , and therfore ought we al so to gyue oure lyues for the brethren , for whosoeuer , hathe thys worldes goods that is habundance of ryches , and seeth hys brother haue nede , and shutteth vp He that hath no petye of the poore loueth not god . hys compassyon from hym . Now is the loue of god in hym . Therfore let vs not loue in wordes & tonge , but wyth the dede and veritie . And so doyng we be fully sertyfied , that we are of the veritye that is of god , & can before hym quyte our hartes , that we haue loued our brethren / here is a confortable lesson , for the couetous ryche man , to learne and also to follow . But yf your hartes condemp you , God is greater than your hartes , & shal condemp you for he knowethe all thynges , he knoweth youre vnkyndnes , & ingratitude , that you shew to your brother in kynd . For though thou sayest I loue God , and hate thy he that loueth not hys ● brother loueth nyt god . brother , Thou art a lyer , for how can be that louethe not hys brother whom he seeth , loue god whom he hath not seen ? Oh most vayne man , whych blyndisheth thy self to know god . And eather in gettynge of thy ryches , other else in the abusyng of the same , thou nether knowethe God , nor thy brethren , for hauinge any superioritie ouer hym . Thou shewest a stately and a proud countenance , vpon hym , and as ready to consume & eate him vp wyth lordly wordes , as to ouerwhelme and deuoure hym , in pluckyng from hym , grounde & lyuing . Therfore ( it is wrytten ) be circumspecte and take the more hede vnto those thynges , whych ye haue harde , for doubte Paul ad Hebreus ii . chapter leste ye peryshe . It is a maruellous thynge that these couetous ryche men , doth not , or else be so blinded with auarice . That they wyl not remember what is spoken Eccle , v in the scripture agaynst theyr insaciable desyre of riches , that the abundaunce of theyr ryches wyl Iob , i , d. not suffre the couetous man , to slepe . He is so bussyed in hys mynd , nyght and day to bring it into hys kepyng . And yet ryches holden and kept . Is to the great ● , Tim. vi . deteremēt , and hurt of hym that hath them in possession for often tymes they peryshe wyth greate mysery and trouble . Yea and yf it happen he haue a chylde , yet getteth he nothynge . But as he came naked into the world , euen so shal he goo agayn , is not this a myserable plage . That the couetous ryche man shall not enioye hys ryches , and maye , theyr Eccle , vi chyldren neyther . For it is wrytten god geueth a man ryches and good and yet geueth he hym not leaue to enioye the same . But a nother man spendeth them . Therfore whyles thou art vser of thy goodes remember that thou must gyue a streat accompt of thy Baylywyke , & according as the scripture doth teache the do , That is , Eccle , xi lay thy bread vpon wete faces , & so shalt thou fynde after manye dayes , that is , hap thy nedy brother that wepeth for want of succour and thou shall haue manye dayes in perpetuall blesse for euer , for whan the cloudes be full they poure out rayne vpon the earth , Cease not therfore . Wyth thy hande to sowe thy seed , whether it be in the morninge or in the euening , for thou knowest not what frut shal grow therof vnto then crease of thy saluacion for god loued a glad gifte , quomodo potest esse misericors . And o , howe moche is it for to be mercyful to thi brother in kind for yf god hath endewed thy wyth ryches . Thou Math. v mayste not emagyn and thynke . That god hath geuen them vnto the for thyne owne vse and profyte onely . But that thou arte made but a steward ouer them to distribute , and bestowe them vnto the profyte of the comentie , for doubtles the ryche man is not the very owner of theym . But onely God he it is whyche is the owner , for he sayth by the Prophete Agget . Golde is myne , & syluer is myne and he hath but committed substance vnto vnto thy hand . But for a ceason to se how thou wilt distribute them to thy brother , for al is but vniuersa vanitas omnes homo viuens . Now yf thou be a faithful disposer of this wycked mammon , accordyng thy dutie and godes commaundementes and for by cause that thou shalt well knowe , it is thy office to mynister to thy brother , note the Parable of the ryche glotton as is aforesayd whyche was clothed in sylke faryng dylycately , & was buryed in hell Upon thys place sayth S. Gregorie that he was not dampned because of hys despoylynge and gettynge of others . But because he did not distribute his goodes to other as the processe of the texte dothe declare . And seynge thou must neades geue accomptes of all that is geuen the , Then canste thou not glorie in thi riches , but rather to feare & tremble in weiinge wythe thy selfe howe moche thou hast to accompte for , before the hygh iudge , & myghty audytor Christ , for he wyl not be deluded all though the world may be blinded & haue a perpetuall study , & by al the wayes & meanes that may be in the to benyfyt & do good to the neady & poore , for yf thou shut vp thy charitie from thy brother thou sleyth hym as moch as in the lyeth , for the prophet saith Wo be vnto the crowne of pryde ●●a , xxviii . whose great pompe is a flour that fadeth away , from such as be in welth & ouerladen with ryches . And therfore sayth he , trust not in thy riches , for it shal not help in the tyme of vengeaunce , & ther is nothing Iesus the sonne of Syrach , ● worsse than a couetous man , no nor a more wickeder thing , than to loue money for it is but fylthy dounge Heare these wordes o thou couetous riche man , which seaketh rest in thy substance , & taketh cōsolaci on & plesure in thy ryches , & wilt not vse it , as thou art appointed to the easment of thy poore brethren And according vnto the commaundement of loue , whyche is to loue thy neighbour , euen as wel as thy self . But alas who so doeth now a daies , in al thiges , do vnto his neyghbour as he wolde be done vnto , who geueth hym , who lendeth him , assysteth & eadeth him , in al his necessyties , as he wolde his neyghbor shuld do vnto him yf he ware in lyke neade , fewe or none in the world , for the wild asse Iesus the sonne of Cyrach . xiii is the lyons praye , euen so are the poore the meate of the ryche , for the couetous ryche man , he hath no compassion of the poore , but all hys eye is vnto hym self , & careth not for the misery that his brother endureth He doth not vnderstand what is written . Good & euel , lyfe & death Eccle , ●● pouertie & ryches , ar of god . As who shuld say , god may geue ryches , & make the riche poore , at his pleasure , for it is an easy thing in his syght to enriche a poore man quickly , & also to put downe the proud from theyr seate , & to exalte the humble . A perellous time shal come vpon the ryche as sayth the prophet Abacuc , which heapethe Abacuc . 〈◊〉 vp other mens goodes , And wo vnto him that couetousli gathereth goodes into his house , that he may let his ●est on hye to escape from the power of mysfortune . The very stones of the wal shal crye out of it saith this holi prophet & though it be far of for a tyme , yet at the laste shall it come to passe & not fayle . Oh then in that daye what accompt wilt thou make of thy Baylywyke , what answere wilt thou make of the wytholding a way the goodes of the poore / shalte thou not render a streat accompt therof yea truly , to thi vtter damnation . Therfore beware how thou getteth riches & when thou hast gotten them , that thou dispose them godly vpon thy poore brethren by kynde for whose vse they ar geuen vnto the & not onely vnto thyne own as I haue before declared vnto the in this simple tretyse , & learne of the wise precher Ecclesiastes what holsome & frutful instructions he geueth to Eccle. ▪ ii . soche eouetous ryche men , whych be so insaciable in gatheringe & heapynge vp of goodes & neuer contented , thus saythe he . I was weary of my labour which I had taken vnder the Sunne , because I should be fayne , to leaue them vnto another man , that cometh after me & who knoweth whether he shall be a wyse man , or a foule , and yet shal he be lord of al my laboures Is not this a vayne thing & a very vanitie . That a man shal leaue his laboures , vnto another that neuer swet for them . Therfore I perceaue ther is nothinge better for a man , than to be ioyful in his laboure , & to bestowe & distrubute his goodes whiles he lyueth , for that is his porcion , for who wyl bryng hym to se the thyng , that shal come after hym , for as they be al dust , so shall they all turne vnto duste agayn , now here hast thou hard by the word of god in what perel & Ieoperdie , The ryche couetous man standeth in when he shal gyue vp his reconing at the last day & how he ought to distribute & bestowe them , of the nedy & poore , so that in the so doying he may aduoyde the daunger of eternal dampnation . And to obtayne the celestial ioyes of heauen vnto that which god bring vs all .