A Reuerend opinion ( Right Honorable , Right Worshipfull , and beloued in our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ ) is exacted fiem vs in regard of the Author of these words . T' is a King that speakes , a wise , apreaching King , King Solomon the Preacher . Nay , loe ! a greater , a wiser then Solomon is here : He was a wise King ; the wisest ; had a wise Spirit giuen him of God . Here 's the King , the spirit the God of wisdome himselfe . Solomon onely , the Penne-man , who winged with this heauenly spirite , did ouersoare and escape the vaine things which are done vnder the Sun : One of which hee here entreates of , and call's it Nalum Infirmum , a sicke ilnesse , or an euil sicknes . There 's an euill sicknes I haue seene vnder the Sunne .

This Text hath two parts : First , an Assertion , There 's an euill sicknesse . Secondly , a Probation , or euidence , and that 's double : First , I haue seen 't ( saies Solomon ) Secondly , the place where . Vnder the Sunne . The Assertion is a Description of Couetousnesse , It 's an euill ; it 's a sicknesse , and ti 's an euill sicknesse .

Couetousnesse ( sayeth Austine ) is in all things , in euery desire , as of honour , knowledge , &c. and so is term'd the root of all euill : but more strictly taken , t' is defin'd by the three causes : First , the formall , an immoderate desire ; 2. the material riches ; 3. the efficient , a diffidency or distrust in Gods prouidence . Which vice ( sayes the Philosopher ) consists especially in three things . 1. An ouer-earnest , and couetous desire of getting . 2. A griping and ouer-carefull keeping . 3. basenesse and beastlinesse in dispensing . Now though Solomon speake principally of one , or mixtly of two of these ; namely , the anguishing Now though Solomon speake principally of one , or mixtly of two of these ; namely , the anguishing and torturing of the couetous soule , receyuing no ioy in the enioying of his wealth , no quiet or contentment , but on the contrary is hurt and endammaged . For so it followes in the verse . I haue seene an euill sicknesse , to witte , Riches reserued to the owners thereof , for their euill . Yet since hee speakes in the 15. verse , against this vaine desire in generall , and calles it there by the same name , Anouill sicknes : Therefore I purpose to discourse of the wordes , as a generall description of this sinne . And indeed I may discourse and handle it at my pleasure , but to small purpose . For what should this assemblie heare of couetousnesse ? Is this a fitte Text for the Assises ? I might haue kept this Sermon for the Citie , among Tradesmen and Vsurers : But I will rest a while , and shew you the fitnesse of such a Theme for this time , place , and persons .

First then I must intreat you to vnderstand and remember ( Right Honourable and Christian audience ) that Couetousnesse , as it is an immoderate desire of riches , in the interior affections of the soule ; so it 's opposed to liberality ; but as it imports an exorbitant and vnmeet acception , and keeping vp of money : so ti 's contrary to Iustice , and in that regarde not vnfitte for the time . Againe , because this sinne is a superfluous loue of hauing riches ; it exceedes in two things . First , t' is excessiue in retayning : and on this part arises hence an obduration and hardnesse of heart against mercy , when a man turns clemency into vengeance , and is not relieuefull to the poore : Secondly , it exceedes in taking , and so it fals two wayes into consideration ; eyther as it is in the affection , and so thence arises anguish , and disquietnesse , superfluous cares and busie distraction . 2. or as it is in the effect : and thus whiles it couets other mens goods : it vses somtimes force , which belongs to violence ; and sometimes craft , which craft if it bee committed in any businesse , then as it respects the things themselues , it is deceipt , but as it concernes the persons , t' is betraying as in Iudas . But be the craft vsed in word onely , then t' is cousonage in a simple and bare word : and if an oath bee added , periuty . And all these ( saies Gregorie ) are the spawne and brood of Couetousnes .

Now wee all know , that these vermine , this generation of Vipers , will bee very busie at euerie Assises , violence and oppression , crafty deceipt , and cousonage , betraying & periury . Which being true , I feare me , the cursed damme will likewise finde a roome amongst vs . Especially , if wee call to minde , that Encomion of Basil concerning this sinne , which is ( sayes he ) the mother and mistresse of all sinne and mischiefe , which commits sacriledge , theft and rapine ; makes warres and slaughters , sels and buyes by Simony : askes and receiues wickedly , does commerce and take vsury vniustly ; dealing falsly by craft and cousenage ; dissolues couenants , and violates lates oaths , corrupts testimonies , & peruerts iudgement . And to come to examine the present times . What s now the reason , that almost halfe the worlde is turnde Inclosers , Vsurers or Banqueroutes , that the common Gaoles haue more poore debtors , then desperate fellons ? What s the fountaine of so many suites and law-cases , but onely this eu●ll ? Men are sicke of Couetousnesse . Achah would haue Naboths vine-yard . What makes so many periuries and false accusations , but Couetousnesse ? In any wrong done to our soule or body , by wounds , by disgrace , or infamy ; wee can many times put vp , and be quiet , but the least priuate endamagement is enough to set vs together by the eares . It our wealth bee impayred but the value of nine pence , oh then our Free-hold is touched : it will beare an action , let him looke to it . If once Meum and Tuum ( sayeth one ) any wrangle for priuate profite , bee on foote , then we presently bustle , wee ride , runne , crouch , kneele , vse the cappe , the barre , the tongue , the sworde . Then the young sonne enquires of his olde fathers yeares , and sendes out Form-dons after his death , quarrels with his mothers Ioynture , threatens his brothers with an entayle , and vpon question of Assets abridges his sisters portions . And therefore it so sittes the time , that if with old Latimer I should cry nothing but Beware of couetousnesse , Beware of Couetousnesse , it would ( peraduenture ) proue a sufficient preseruatiue against this poyson , which Saint Paul cals : radicent , the roote of all euill : and Solomon heere , an euill sicknesse .

The first part of which Text is ( as I tolde you ) a description of Couetousnesse ; and the first part of the Description is , It 's an Euil I.

Euill properly taken ( sayeth the Schoole ) and by it selfe , is not any thing created or existing , but signifies a meere absence of that good which should be present , and is opposed to good priuatiuely , not positiuely ; and as in Philosophy t' is double , Naturall and Morall : So in Diuinity there is Malum Culpae , and Malum Sp●●● , an euill , which is sinne , & an euill which is a punishment for sinne . And in both these kinds wee shall finde this sinne to bee an euill . First , it 's an euill of sinne ; a sinnefull euill , an euill full of sinne : nothing more sinnefull . Anaro nihil scelestius , nihil iniquius quam amare pecc●tiam , Ecclus. 2. T' is the roote , the element , the Metropolis of all sinnes . All other , as Bribery , Simonie , Vsary , Extortion , Deceit , lyes , Oathes are ( sayeth one ) Factors for this , and serue as Porters to fetch and bring her liuing in . A sinne first against God , therefore for bidden to the chiefe men , Leuit. 17.17 . For the couetous man despises him : Hee blesseth himselfe , and contemneth the Lord , Psal. 10.3 . He makes golde his hope , and the wedge of golde his considence . T' is flat and plaine Idolatry , Ephes. 5. preferring his coyne before God , as the Gadarenes did their swine before Christ : For he holdes it his creator , thinking himselfe made and vndone by it , and his Redeemer and preseruer from depth and danger , and differs from the Idalat●r in this , that where hee hath but one Image , the couetous man hath many Maumets .

A sinne secondly , against our neighbours , Venenum charitatis ( sayeth Austirte ) the poyson of charity , doing iniury to so many as hee is able to relieue : making men murderers , lyers and theeues : Marderers : They lay wayte for bloud , and lye priuily for their liues ; such are the wayes of euery one that 's greedie of gaine , Prouerb . 1.18 . And in Isaiah , 32.6 . The niggard will speake of niggardnesse , and his heart wil worke iniquity , to doe wickedly , and speake falsly against the Lord , ( there hee is a lyar ) to make empty the hungry soule , and cause the drinke of the thirstie to fayle : there he is a theefe .

A sinne euen against common honesty , against friendship , seuering very brethren : Luk. 13. A sin which as it makes a man monstrous , with such an heart as no man hath , without a bottome : so it is monstrous in it selfe , vnnaturall , infinite . Monstrum horrendum ingens , cui lumen ademptum ; wanting the light of reason , and naturall vnderstanding , which sinne if it may admit comparison with any naturall things ; they must bee eyther the two outragious elements ( for so t' is violent as fire , seeding on the subiected matter , and at once embracing another ; & furious as water , bearing downe all before it like a torrent , or a water-wracke ) or else it may be equalled with the deuouring Harpyes , and birds of prey , that are cruell to all , and therefore affect and select solitarie and vnfrequented places .

I ast of all it is an euill that makes a man euerie beasts fellow , nay , the worst beasts companion : for hee is an horse-leach ( sayeth Solomon ) crying , still giue giue ; a Moldewarpe , blacke by his wickednes , blind in his ignorance , and so many possessions , so many Mole-hils , in which he buries himselfe by perpetuall anguishing and torturing his owne soule . Like an Hogge ( sayeth Prudentius ) euer rooting , neuer doing good till hee die : and as the Hogge sends one Acorne downe his stomacke , chewes an other , and greedily snatcheth at a third : so this Hogge-mans hunger is insatiable . Like a Dogge ( sayeth Seneca ) that what euer is cast vnto him , choppes it in whole , and stands gaping for the next .

Thus you see it is Malum culpae , and euill of sinne , a sinne impious , vncharitable , dishonest , bloodie , theeuish , lying an vnnaturall , monstrous and beastly euill . And not onely thus is it an euill of sinne , but it is also Malum poenae , an euill punishment for sinne : In sese armatus furor : for it is a sinne against a mans selfe , his owne soule and body . His soule , so sayeth Austin , Amor terrenorum , viscus spiritualium pennarum : The excessiue loue of earthly things is the birdlime of a mans spirituall feathers , lyming and entangling both the soules wings , her vnderstanding , and her will ; and is therefore noted to bee a spirituall euill , Mark . 7.23 . comming from within , and defiling a man , alwayes breeding and begetting a swarme and Hydra , & wheele of cares in his bosome ; dulling his very heart , and making it like Nabals , hard and heauy as a stone .

Against his body : For the couetous wretch is carefull to rise earely in the morning , to goe late to bed , eating the bread of pensiue carefulnesse : hee tro●s vp and downe to the market , turnes ouer his Kalender , Fit ex Domino Procurator , ( sayeth Sencca ) of a Lord and Master , hee becomes a base seruant or a drudge ; base and sordide in his apparrell , vsing himselfe to meates , not onely vile , and of no price ; but euen hard and horrible to bee lookt vpon : defrauding , cousening his owne Genius both of food and rest . Surely , to a man that is good in his sight , God giues wisdome and knowledge , and ioy : but to the sinner he giues paine togather and heape vp , Eccles. 2. vlt. So that hee gathers riches , as the Phoenix doth drie stickes to burne her selfe . Hee is a meere possessor of wealth : for his couetous heart keepes the Key of it , and lockes it from his comfortable vse : He sits by his money , as a sicke man by his meate , & hath no power to take it : He couets to couet , labours to labour ; as an Asse , which all day carries treasure , and is much galled and bruised with his burthen , but enioyes no comfort in his carriage : And therefore Chrysostome compares a couetous man , to a man possest with a Deuill , who is vext and anguished in his body . So that , if a man will haue but so much care as Peter wished Christ to haue , to be good to himselfe : it will bee cause inough to draw him from this cursed euill , which is not onely an euill of sinne , but an euill punishment for sinne .

But because many euill and couetous worldlings esteeme themselues notwithstanding all this euill , to bee yet in good estate , and in health ; it now followes , that wee proue it to bee a sicknesse , and all such men in danger of their soules health : There 's an euill sicknes .

The couetous man imagines himselfe a possessor , but himselfe indeed is possest ; and wee may as truely say , this sicknesse hath the man , as this man the sicknesse . A disease then it is euen by Tullies confession : Illi morbo qui permanat in venas , & inharet in vi●ceribus , nec erelit potest . nomen est Auaritia , quae it a mentes hominum asirictas tenet , vt cas nullo modo respirare permittat : That disease ( sayeth hee ) which sinks into the veines and bowels , and cannot be drawne thence , giuing a man no time of breathing , is couetousnesse : So that it seemes to bee no acute sicknes , ( as Physitians speakes ) for foureteene dayes , but rather a Chronicall disease for longer continuance , and where all other diseases haue commonly foure parts ; this hath but two : a beginning and an encrease ; but neyther State , nor Diminution , and therefore in this there is no place left for a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to bee expected . Now as all weakenes and diseases of the body , are from some wickednesse , eyther from some defect in our conception , or disorder in our conuersation ; so this last giues being and beginning to this of the soule ; for it rises vpon a repletion , a suefet , an ouercharging ; not caused by the intemperature of the Heauens , or any externall violence . A repletion not of digestible food , but as if if a man should eate stickes and stones , and fire , and brimstone ; no maruell if they make him sicke : nay it is a dangerous sicknesse , a sickenesse vnto death : and if a man bee taken with it , wee may iustly seare his life ; for wee are taught , that he which hates couetousnesse , his dayes shall bee prolonged vpon earth , Prou. 28.16 . And this sinne it hath all the signs and symptomes of a disease ; First , vomiting . Hee hath deuoured substance , and shall vomit it , for God shall ( bee his Physitian , and purge him , and shall ) draw it out of his belly , Iob. 20.15 . Secondly , want of sleepe and rest : All his dayes are sorrowe , and his trauell is griese , his heart also takes no rest in the night . Eccles. 2.23 . Whose estate is therefore more base , ( sayeth Olimpiodoras ) then the most wretched seruants ; for the couetous mans money which is his Master , will not allow him sleepe . Hee cannot indeed possibly take any rest , but is euer tumbling & tossing , as King Achab , when desire of Naboths vineyard had once pierced and possest his soule , the Text sayeth , Hee came home heauy and euill apaied , throwes himselfe vpon his bed , and there hee languisheth , and winds himselfe , turnes away his face , and would eate no bread ; for he was maw-sick , stomacke-sicke of couetousnes .

Thirdly , to shew apparantly . that couetousnes is a disease , be the dreames of the ●●men , who are sicke of it : As the hungry man dreames , and be hold hee eateth , and when hee awakes , his soule is empty ; or as a thirsty man dreawes , and loe , he is drinking , and when hee awakes , behold hee i● faint , and his soule longs . Isaiah , 29.8 . So ( sayeth David ) When these men haue slept their sleepe , and haue awaked , they haue found ●othing in their honds : And as sicke men are 〈◊〉 by troubled with fant●sticall and terrible dreams 〈◊〉 no question but these mens dreames ar● ful● 〈◊〉 horror and affrightment , still thinking o● th● 〈◊〉 and robbers , that came to despoyle them of their goods , their gods of siluer and golde : or if theyr dreames , like allusions of the Deuill seeme merrie ; yet they are sadde and sorrowfull in the euent and interpretation . The rich man in the Gospell speaks betwixt sleeping and waking ; Soule take thy ease , Thou hast goods layde vp instore for thee , for many yeeres . This was his dreame , and it was a very fine one , and a merry ; but when Christ comes to expound it , you know what hee sayeth : Thou foole , this night wil they fetch thy soule from thee , then whose shall those thinge bee that thou hast gathered together , Luk 12.20 .

Thus you haue heard it proued an euill , and a sicknes : Now put them both together , and you shal find it an euill sicknesse .

For first , it is a Leprosie , a spirituall Leprosie , though it turnde to a reall and a corporall Leprosie in Gehezi ; who by Couetousnesse became a Leaper as white as snow , 2 Reg. 5. vlt. And as in the Leper , there is an vniuersall deprauation and corruption of all the humours ; and a generall infection of all his members : so in this sicknes all the humours ; that is , all the good affections of his soule are corrupt ; especially , the Humidum radicale , the moysture of his roote and heart ; his Charity , that is consumed and dryed away . Nay , in all the powers and saculties both of soule and body , hee is altogether corrupt , & become abhominable .

Againe it is an euill sicknes : for it is a perpetuall inward wasting and Dysentery : and therefore the phrase in Iude , is , that such men are powred out , or cast away by the deceit of Balaam ; wages : so violent is this euill , so raging is this sickenes , that it makes men dissolute and cast-awayes : It is an euill sickenes .

It is the Spleene : for as that increasing ; all other naturall partes decrease ; so the encrease of Couetousnes , is the downefall and decay of all Christian vertues , Liberality , Iustice , Charity , &c. Which swelling couetous Spleene so growes vpon a man , that it hardens it selfe against all soft and supple medicines . All their gentle pilles will not moue him , ti●l hee come at length to a consumption ; that hee may say with Dauid , My dayes are like a shadow , and I am withered like grasse . Psal. 102.11 .

An euill sickenes ; for its a Lethargie ; a dull and sleepy disease , causing a man to take no true comfort in heauen and heauenly things ; but setting and setling , and rooting his affections on the earth , neuer enioying one dramme or scruple of contentment , alwayes drooping and heauy . For the Diuell hath giuen him such a drousie Opiate , that all their Electuarium Exhilarans cannot rouse him from his Melancholy , nor their Latificans Galem shake him from his dumpes , and make him merry .

It is yet worse , to witte , the Greedy-worme . For the heart set on fire with couetousnesse , cannot bee satisfied or quenched with boughes and wood of riches ; but onely with the earth of the graue . This is Gods punishment ( sayeth one ) on the couetous heart , that neyther with enough , nor with too much bee should bee contented . T' is in truth more then the Greedy-worme , t' is the Wolfe , still eating , & yet still keeping the body leane : T' is past the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and is come to Caninus Appetitus , an l hungrie , a dogged disease , catching at others : nay , Lupinus a Woluish disposition , euen dispatching themselves .

An euill sicknes : for it is a burning Feuer , and as in that , so in this are commonly gnawing of the stomacke , intollerable thirst , watchings , and many times rauings . A burning Feuer : for so ( sayeth Bernard ) The insatiable loue of riches , doth farre more heat and torture men , then their vse doth coole & refresh them . Saeuior ignibus Actnae , ardens amor scruet habendi ( sayeth Boetius ) : A right Ague : for the couetous man hath three seuerall sits ( sayeth Gregory ) for while hee liues here , he burnes twice , in the hote concupiscence , and in the manifold care of getting and keeping his wealth ; Et post modum ardebit in Gehen●a ; and shall burne afterwards in hell fire : there is like to be his forest fitte , when he shall haue both an hote and a colde fitte , when hee shall both extreamely burne till he cry againe . There shall be weeping sayeth our Sauiour , when hee shall bee colde extreamely : for There shall bee gnashing of teeth : And of this Feuer let him neuer hope for recouery ; It will then turne to a perfect Quotidian Ague for euery day , nay for euer , and a day . An euill sicknes .

For it is indeed a madnesse , which commonly brings with it Debility and weakenes of the heade , watchings , thoughts , fancies , rauenous appetite , & hollow eyes : And as mad men are wont to conceiue strange things of themselues , that they bee Kings or great men : so those which are tainted with this malady , doe imagine many goodly matters ; making their riches a strong City , and an high wall in their imagination ( saveth Solomon ) Prou. 18.11 .

An euill sicknes , nay worse then vsually euill ; T' is the plague : And therefore as the ghost of Hector , in the fire of Troy , cryed out to Aeneas : Heu fuge Nate Ded , teque his eripe stammis , Flie thou sonne of a goddesse from amidst these flames . So the Apostle S. Paul , hauing called the desire of money , the roote of all euill , addes in the next place : But ò thou man of God flie these things , Fuge Nate Deo , Thou childe of God , she these things ; flie from this mischieuous desire , as from an infection : Per mare ▪ per saxa , & therefore our Sauiour giuing warning to shun this plague sayeth , Take heede of it Take heede of it , as an euill : Beware of it as a sicknes : Take heed and beware of it at an Euill sicknesse . Take heede and beware of Couetousnes , Luk. 13.1 . And we shall finde that this plaguy couetous mans company and breath are infectious , to eate and drinke with him dangerous : Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euill eye , neyther desire thou his dainty meare : for as though hee thought in his heart , so hee will say vnto thee , Eate and drinke , but his heart is not with thee : Thou shalt vomite the morsels thou hast eaten , &c. Prou. 23.6.7.8 . And to conclude , as men infected with the plague , are kept vp by others : so these men do keepe and hurdle vp themselues , hauing indeed the marks and tokens of Gods wrath in then flesh to be seene ( as Saint Iames sayeth ) Your golde and siluer is rusty , and the rust thereof shall bee a witnesse against you : It shall feed vpon your flesh like fire . ) And to whom wee may well say , as to men in that case : Lord haue mercy vpon them .

Last of all , it is worthily intituled an Euill sickenes : because it is a sicknes and disease incurable . So the Philosopher in his Ethicks cals it Malum insanabile : and therefore is it incurable , because th●se men being sicke , are notwithstanding vnwilling to bee eased , when that 's the first part of health ( sayeth Sencca ) V●lle sanari : to wish for cure . And Saint Austin , Ipse sibi denegat curam , qui suam Medico non publicat causam : Which the couetous man will not . He cannot abide any wholesome prescriptions , and vnlesse you will minister vnto him Vnguentum aureum , or Electuarium de Gemmis , hee will none of your Physicke : Wee may see it exemplified . The young man in the Gospell , who ( as with a Tympanie ) was swollen and growne bigge with great possessions : Our Sauiour would haue purged him throughly : Goe and sell all : but he would none . Such a plague is this euill , such a madnesse , such a burning Feuer , such a Greedyworm , such a Lethargy , such a Spleenfull Consumption , and so contagious a Leprosie , that there is no meanes to redresse or remedy the same , vnlesse these sicke Lepers ( like him in the Gospell ) will fall downe at the feet of Christ Iesus , and cry vnto him : Lord , if thou wilt , thou canst make mee cleane and whole : for with man ( sayeth Christ ) it is impossible .

Thus much for the first part of the Text , the Assertion , There 's an euill sicknesse . The first part of the Euidence followes , which is , I haue seene it .

In that Solomon the wise King dooth heere report that hee had seene it : wee may thence deriue this point of doctrine , that for a man to bee couetous is an high point of foolerie : for so hee seemes to infer . I haue seene it , and but seene it , seene it in others , not knowne it in my selfe : so that the onely seeing , and no more , proues Solomon wise , but more then seeing , seeking , and hoarding vp of wealth , argues men fooles and sots . I , you may call them at your pleasure ; but you cannot proue them so . No , Why ? what greater sign of a foole , then to do a thing for no cause , and to no end . The foole ( sayeth Solomon ) is wiser in his owne conceit then seuen men that can render a reason . So that rendering a reason is put for a point of wisdome , which in this point , the couetous man can no point performe . For so sayeth Dauid , Doubtlesse , man walkes as a shade , and disquiets himselfe in vaine , heaping vp riches , and cannot tel who shall gather them , Psal. 39.6 . There is no end of his trauell , neyther thinks hee for whom doe I trauell , and defraud my selfe of pleasure . Eccles. 4.8 . They labour for nothing : for the winde , as it is afterwards in this Chapter . They conceiue chaffe , and bring forth stubble : Isay . 33.11 . Hauing no end in their desire , no end for their desire , no finall cause : Onely couetous to hide it , as Achan confessed in Iosua : 7.21 . I saw among the spoyles a goodly Babylonish garment , and two hundred shekels of siluer , and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight , and I coueted them , and tooke them , and loe ! they lie hid in the midst of my tent . Was not this ( thinke you ) a goodly wisdome ? Cannot an Ape or a Iacke-daw doe as much ? Againe , is it not an high point of base foolery for a man to sit ouer his earthly trash , like an henne or a brood-goose ; and in the meane time to neglect the inward and and spirituall riches of the soule ? as though a Noble man or great Personage should trifle out his time in buying pinnes ; pinnes ? Nay worse , plaine Mucke ( sayeth the Scripture ) and dung : and therefore the Apostle cals it Filthy Lucre , because alway some dirt cleaues vnto it . Tirus did build her a strong holde , and heaped vp siluer as the dust , and gold as the mire in the streetes . Zachar. 9.3 . Shall not all these take vp a Parable , and a taunting Prouerbe against him , and say , Hoe ! Hee that encreaseth that which is not his : and hee that lades himselfe with thicke Clay . Habac. 2.6 .

Furthermore , would any but a foole forget heauen , his true , his new Mansion : and fall to building , in his Inne , to thinke of furnishing and hanging it with Arras , where he is sure hee cannot continue ? For God will but onely blow vpon wealth , and it will melte . Riches make themselues wings like an Eagle , and flie away : And therefore Christ speaking of Diues , sayeth , Erat , There was a certaine rich man . Dauid sayeth , Hee saw him spread and flourish like a green Bay-tree : Well ? what became of him : I passed by his place , Et non erat , and hee was not . He was ( sayth our Sauiour ) and is not . I saw him ( sayeth Dauid ) and hee was not . Ecce , Behold , Erat , & non erat , He was , and he was not .

And lastly , for a full proofe of this , wee may compasse our selues with a whole cloud of witnesses . Tullie , Nihil tam angusti , tamque parui animi , quam amare pecuniam : Nothing argues so poore and narrow a mind as the loue of money . The Rich man in Horace confesseth it ; Populus me sibilat , The people mocke at mee for a foole ; And Solomon implyes it : where he sayth : Trauell not too much to bee rich , but ●●●se from that wisedome : J , for that is a senseles wisdome , no better then folly . Pro. 23.5 . They that will bee rich ( sayeth S. Paul ) fall into many foolish and noysome lusts , and in the case of wrangling and going to law hee asketh them . Is there not a wise man amongst 〈◊〉 But the Prophet Ieremy more plainely . As the Partridge gathers the young which she hath not br●ught fort● : So hee that gets riches , and not by right , shall leaue them in the middest of his dayes ; ●nd at his end shall be a foole , Iam 17.11 . Nabals his name , a Churle & a Fool ▪ 1 Sam. 25.23 . and as though ●t were some Bable-foole : Iob sayeth , Euery man shall ●appe their hands and hisse at him out of their place . Iob. ●7 . 22 . And as he liues and dyes like a Foole ; so hee ●hall be buried like an Asse , euen drawne and east out , bidem , ver. 19. And therfore let euery wise man con●ent himselfe with King Solomon heere , to see this e●ill , not to feele it , to see it , and but to see it ; to see it in others , not to know it in themselues .

The second part of the proofe or euidence is from the place ; Vnder the Sunne . From whence we obserue the Generality of this Sin . T' is MORBVS EPIDEMICVS , euery where vnder the Sun : a disease and a plague infecting the whole world ; or at least , Maxima pars hominum , morbo iactatur eadem : possessing the greater number . The Prophet saieth all , From the greatest to the least of them : Euery one is giuen to couetousnesse ; And from the Prophet to the Priest , they all deale falsly . Ierem. 6.13 . And therefore the Wise man saith If any rich man escape it , hee is a blessed man , and works wonders in the world : for indeed this sicknes seizes all . All men haue confessed themselues Bondmen thereto : In Court of Record , Princes , as Saul and Achab : Prophets , as Balaam : Iudges and Rulers , as Foelix : Scribes and Pharisees , young men , women , and shepheards . Such a generall Pragmatique fellow is the couetous man , that hee is for all Companies . He will sometime bee at Court , but not much . In the Citie he is all one with an Vsurer , or Broker ; an Extortioner is his right hand . Nay , in these very astemblies ; hee will sometime bee of the great Inquest : sometimes a Plaintiffe pleading in forma pauperis : and which I maruell at , hee is frequent with all sorts of schollers : and with Lawyers in drawing Conveiances , not a quirke escapes him : A r●re Physitian , hee will let blood strangely : ô hee will plucke and sucke like an Horse-leach : and hee is very well seene in rootes : for hee hath the root of all rootes , Radicem omnium malorum , Of all Naladies , a true Paracelsian : All in his Alchymie , & extraction , deals with nothing but Minerals , & aurum potabile , and is as faire for the Philosophers stone , as the best of them . He is a very fierce Sophister & Logician ; wresting the premises any way : so he may bring or wring in his conclusion , regardles of either Mood or Figure : and a Musitian , but he neyther obserues time nor rest , full of stops and frets , and idle crotchets ; & in some moods a Grammarian : Marry , he is most in the Optatiue moode : his signe is vtinam : and ô si angulus ille proximus accedat qui nunc denormat agellum ! wishing euer for new purchases ; or if he grow so potentiall in the world that hee can passe to the Subiunctiue ; that he fall once to ioyne house to house , and land to land : then hee neuer leaues till he fall into the Infinitiue : And yet wee doe not heare all ; yet wee doe not heare the worst of him : for as before we heard it proued : that this sinne makes him a Murderer , a Lyar , and a Theefe : so it is a way to make him also a Coniurer , drawing the Diuell and all within his Circle ; It makes him a Iugler ; a Cheater , a Coyner , a Clipper , a Washer , and last of all , a very Impe and Zame of the Diuell . For as he can turne himselfe into an Angell of light , so this his puney can lurke and skulke vnder a light Angell ; sometimes we may finde him in a crackt Crowne , or a brasse shilling : So that as hee is euery where , so he does mischiefe in all places . Thus you see manie maine Inditements against him ; and therfore looke to him Iaylour , look to him Iurie ; Be wise now therfore and learned , ò you Iudges of the earth , that this generall Malefactor may receyue condigne punishment . If hee be found guiltie but in some of these matters ; you may touch him ; but if in the greatest hee be guiltie : of bloud , theft , violence , grassation , and oppression of the Poore ; you may touch him , and twitch him too : Trust him no longer , for it is full time he were trussed .

Againe , in this euidence of the place , we haue to obserue the opposition to that place aboue the sunne : I haue seen 't ( sayes Solomon ) vnder the Sunne . For ther 's no such thing aboue the Sunne . There s a God aboue : a bountifull GOD , gratious , and liberall , Rich in grace , abundant and plentifull in mercie . Nay ! the Creatures themselues , the starres of heauen are no Nigards , dispensing daylie their light and influence to th' inferiour worlde . The Sunne , the right Embleme of Liberality , continually shooting forth his glorious beames of Light . Nay : yet lower , the Moone , and th' inferiour Planets are not couetous : The three superiour Elements are all free from this euill : For that Tralucent Fire aboue vs is no deuourer like ours , fowle and foetulent heere below . And if Rich men were so good to theyr emptie Bretheren , ( saith one ) as the Ayre and water are to other empty things , as there is no voyde place in the World , So there would be no emptie person in the world . T' is then thus lowe vnder the Sunne , that it rests onely in the dull and Foggie Element of Earth : for that indeed is Couetous , neuer sayes Hoe : neuer sayes , It is enough : So then t' is the earthly and muddie minde , which is infected with this sicknes ; This disease is onely the Churls Sickenes , no sprightly nature : no vertuous or actiue disposition is subiect therevnto . And giue me leaue ( I beseech you , right honourable and Christian Auditors ) to follow this Allegorie yet a little ; because in it , by way of application , I purpose to shut and winde vp this discourse . Vnder the Sunne ; ( The Sunne saith Macrobius ) is the King of Starres : So wee may iustly say of our most gracious King and Soueraigne , that hee is the Sunne amongst men . Now then yet it holdes good that this disease is vnder the Sunne : For though Couetousnes hath bene prou'd to be Principium malorum , yet t' is not ( God bee thank't ) malum principis : Though it bee captaine and king of euills , yet hee 's free from it , t' is vnder the Sunne : Next vnder him , and those Noble Staires of honour fix't aboue is your place ( right Honourable ) who like those Planetarie bodies doe moue and Circuite about , for the preseruation and good of the whole . O let not , let not this vile and wicked Infection sticke in you , as it is vnder our gracious King the Sunne , so let it still descend farre beneath your Throne of Iustice : Bee not like those wicked Iudges which Sophonie speakes of , like Wolues in the Euening , that leaue no boanes vntill the Morning : nor like to Samuels sonnes , which turned after Lucre , and took reward , and peruerted iudgement : nor like to Falix , who lock't to receiue some thing of Paule , but such rather as Moyses elected by Iethroes counsell . Prouide thou among all the people Men of courage , fearing God , men dealing truely and hating Couetousties , and appoint such ouer them as rulers . Exod. 18.21 . Such indeede are fitte to rule : For a couetous Iudge is but a blind guide : For a reward puts out his eyes : it blindes the wise . Deut. 27.17 . Nay , it is a thing cleane opposite and contrary to Iustice ; as it should seeme by Saint Paules speech ; who , when he had warned Tymothy to flie from Couetousnesse , addes presently , and follow Iustice . Remember that you are here placed in Gods stead ; nay , Ipse Dixi. I haue sayde yee are Gods . God changes names with you : for as hee is called a iudge by Abraham ; so a Iudge is st●led a God by Dauid . Bee then in this like God ; This euill sicknes is not in him : no , it is Malum Infirmum , an euill of infirmity , of infirme , weake and miserable men . Thinke vpon this high and godlike function ; thinke that the inferior Iustices are in your hands , to frame their consciences ; to stirre them to action : And therefore in the name of the Lord take heed , and beware of Couetousnesse . O men of God flie these things , and follow Iustice , &c. Let no cunning shift make offendors slide through your fingers ; grow not dim n● , or thicke sighted with olde Isaacke , lest you like him bee deceiued in the feeling of Iaacobs hands . And the better to enforce this duety : Learne ( Right Reuerend in the Lord , to auoyde the respect of persons . For obserue what Solomon hath in Prouer. 28.21 . To haue respect of persons in iudgement , is not good . Why ? For such a man will doe euill , euen for a peece of bread : See a respecter of persons falles presently into this euill disease , this rauenous and dogged appetite ; that hee will snap at a Crust , do euill euen for a peece of bread . Shunne then wickednesse ; for it is not good to haue any respect of persons in iudgement : Hee thus sayeth to the wicked , thou art righteous ; him shall the people curse , and the multitude shall abhorre him , and follow Iustice : For hee that walkes in Iustice , and speakes righteous things refusing gaine of oppression , shaking his hands from taking of gifts , stopping his eares from hearing of blood , and shutting his eyes from seeing of euill , he shall dwell on high ; his defence shall bee the munition of rocks , bread shal be giuen him , & his waters shal be sure . Isa. 33.15.16 . Giue not the people cause to take vp the complaint of the Prophet ; Iudgement is turned backeward , and Iustice stands farre off , Trueth is fallen in the streetes , and equitie cannot enter : but rather affoorde them cause to say with Solomon : I haue seene vnder the Sunne , the place of iudgement , where was iniquity , and the place of Iustice ? where was wickednesse ? And that this contagion may yet descend lower . Let not the Iustices and Gentlemen suffer themselues to be tainted : Let not them fall into a violent grassation , and grinding of the poore , racking and cramping , and squeesing their poore tenants , like the cruell Nero , Hoe agamus , ne quis quicquam habeat : Let vs looke to this one thing , that no man haue any thing , falling vpon the poore like a tempest or a whirlewinde , leauing nought behind it . And you the sage and prudent Lawyers , beware of this sickenesse , take heed of tipping your tongue with siluer , or rowling it in golden eloquence .