A prentise is bound , but for nine yéere and then hee is free : but if the couetous might liue longer then Methusalah , Gen. 5. 25. yet they woulde neuer be free men , but prentises to the world while they haue a foote out of the graue .

It is a woonder to see , as the deuill compasseth about , seeking whome hee may deuour : so men compasse about seeking what they may deuour , such loue is betweene men and money that they which professe good wil vnto it from their heartes , will not take so muche paynes for their life as they take for gaine .

Therefore no maruaile if they haue no leysure to sanctifie themselues , whiche haue no leysure to refreshe themselues . Christ knewe what hee spake when hee saide No man can serue two maisters , Mat. 16. 24. ( meaning God & the worlde ) because ech would haue all . As the angel & deuil stroue for Moses bodye , Iudg. 1. not who should haue a part but who shoulde haue the whole so they striue stil for our soules who shal haue al. Therfore the Apostle saith , the loue of this world is enmitie to God . 1 Ioh. 2. 15 Signifieng suche emulation betweene these two , that God cannot abide the worlde should haue a part , and the worlde cannot abide that God should haue a part . Therefore the loue of the worlde must needes be enmitie to God , and therefore the louers of the world must needes be enemies to God , and therefore no couetous man is Gods seruant , but Gods enemie . Ephes. 5. 5. For this cause couetousnes is called Idolatrie which is the most contrary sinne to God , because as treason setteth vp another king in the kings place , so Idolatrie setteth vp another God in Gods place . This word doth signifie , that the couetous make so much of mony , that they euen worship it in their hearts , and would do asmuch for it , as the idolaters doe for their idols . Paul seing such sins committed , and such paine taken for gaine , thought with himselfe if they could be perswaded , that godlinesse is gaine , it is like that they woulde take as much paines for godlines , as they take for gaine . Therefore hee taketh vppon him to proue this strange paradoxe . that godlines is gaine , against all them in the verse before , which hold that gain is godlinesse : These two opinions are verie contrarie , and here are manie against one . A man woulde thinke that Paule should be very eloquent and sharpe witted , and that he had neede to vse some Logicke : For he hath chosen an hard text : what Paul , wil you proue that godlinesse is gaine ? You shal haue moe opponentes against you , 1. King . 22. 17. then Michaia had when he forbad Achab to sight : if you had taken the former verse which saith that gaine is godlines , then you shoulde haue had matter and examples inough , the marchant and mercer and lawyer , and landlord , and patrene , and all woulde come in and speake for gaine , as the Ephesians cryed for Diana : Act. 19. 28. but if you will be crosse to all and preach godlinesse is gaine , to them which count gaine godlines . Men will thinke of you as Festus did , Acts. 25. that you speake you know not what . These lessons are for Paul himselfe . Mat. 19. As Christ saith , All doe not receiue this word , Luke . 12 , 18. so all doe not count this gaine but losse , we count him riche which hath his barnes full like the Luke . 16. 14. churle , Dan. 5. 1. his coffers ful like the glutton , his table full like Baltasar , his stable ful like Salomon , 1. King . 4. 26. his grounds full like Iob , his purse full like Cressus . Iob. 1. 3. you speake against your maister : for Christ sent worde vnto Iohn that the poore receiue the Gospell , Luke . 7. 22. as though the godly were of the poorer sorte , Psal. 73. 38. 5. 12. and Dauid calleth the wicked rich , they prospeand florish , their seed blasteth not , their cowe casteth not , as if hee shoulde say , it is not as you take it Paul , that godlines doth make men riche . For this I haue obserued in my time , that the wicked are the wealthiest , Luke . 16. and good Lazarus is the poore man and wicked Diues is the rich man . Againe we read that the blinde man was asked , which of of the Scribes or the Pharisees or the Elders did follow Christ , yet these were counted rich men , though they had no godlinesse : and if ye should examine your selfe , it seemes you were no riche man for all your godlinesse , when you did worke with your handes for your liuing : 1. Thes. 2. 9. therefore if Godlinesse bee suche gayne , how happeneth it , that your share is no better : So they which are like Nicodemus ( when Christ saith they must be borne agayne ) Iohn . 3. thinke that hee can haue no other meaning but that they must returne againe into their mothers wombe : Iohn . 6. and when he calleth hymselfe bread , that hee must needes meane such bread as theydine with As the Iews hearing the prophets speake so oft of Christes kingdom , Math. 20. 20. and call him a king , looked for a temporal king which should bring them peace , and ioy , and glory , and make them like kings themselues : so the carnall eares when they heare of a kingdome , and treasures , and riches , straight their minds runne vpon earthly , and worldly , and transitory thinges , such as they loue : to whome Paul answereth as Christ aunswered hys Disciples . I haue an other meate which you knowe not of : Iohn . 4. 32. so there is another gaine , which you know not of , I sayd not that godlinesse is earthly , or worldly , or transitorie gaine , but great gaine . Godlinesse is great gayne . He will not prooue Godlinesse to be gaine , but great gaine : Godlines is great gaine , as if he shoulde say , more gainful then your wares , and rents , and fines , and interest : as though he would make the Lawyer and Marchant , and Mercer , & Draper , and Patrone , and Landlord , & all the men of riches beléeue that Godlines wil make them rich sooner then couetousnes . Aba. 1. 5. I feare this saying may be renued . Psal. 14. 2. & 43. 2 If a man tel you , ye wil not beleeue it , nay if God tel you , yet ye wil not beleeue it . As the Lord looked down vpon earth , to see if any did regard him , & saith , there is not one , so this sentence may go from court to citie , from citie to countrie , and say there is scarce one in a towne that will subscribe vnto it . Many ( saith Dauid , Psal. 4. ) aske who will shewe vs any good , meaning riches , and honour , and pleasure , which are not good , but when he came to goodnesse it selfe , hée leaues out Many , and prayeth in his owne person , Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance vpon vs . as though none woulde ioyne with him , yet Wisedome is iustified of her own children , and the godlye call Godlines gaine . To make vs loue Godlinesse , he calleth it by the name of that we loue most : that is , Gaine . As the Father calleth his sonne which hee would loue more than the rest by his owne name , to put him in minde of such a loue as he beareth to himself . Here we may see that God dooth not commannd men to be godly onely , because it makes for his glory , but because Godlinesse is profitable to vs . For Godlines is not called Gaine in respect of him , but in respect of vs : it is gain to vs , but it is dutie to him . So it is not called health in respect of God , but in respect of vs , because it is the health of the soule . so it is not called a kingdome in respect of God , but in respect of vs , because we are intituled to the kingdome by this difference from the reprobates . But all the good thinges in the world together , and the goodnesse of all is found in Godlinesse : and therefore godlinesse is called by the names of those thinges that men count . best , to shewe that the Godlie are as well , as merrie , as content with their loue towarde God , and Gods loue toward them , as other are with health , and wealth , and pleasures . Therefore it is said of the Godly . Esay . 33. The feare of the Lord is his treasure . Therefore saith Ieremy , 3. Lament. The Lord is my portion . as though he desired nothing els : and therfore it is said of Moses . Heb. 11. 26. That he esteemed the rebuke of Christ greater riches than al the treasures of Egypt . If crosses be riches , as Moses thought , what riches are in Godlines ? but is this al ? shal godlines be our riches in this life only . Nay ( saith Paule , 1. Tim , 4 ) Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of the life to come . And therfore christ saith , First seeke the kingdome of God , and all the rest shall bee cast vpon you , Mat. 6. Ruth . 2. 16. euen as the sheaues fel before Ruth : so riches shall fall in your way , as they did to Abraham , and Lot , and Iacob , and Iob , and Ioseph , riches wer cast to them they knewe not how , but as if God had said , Be rich , and they were rich straight . For all good thinges were created for the good , and therefore they are called good . Gen , 1. Because the good God created them for good men to good purpose : Gene. 25. 30 Gen. 27. 8 and therfore as Iacob got the blessing , so he got the inheritance also : to shew that as the faithfull haue the inwarde blessing , so they haue the outward blessings too , when they are good for them . For ( sayth Dauid , Psal. 34 ) They which seeke the Lord shall want nothing that is good . He sayth not , that they shall want nothing , but , that they shall want nothing that is good . Now God knowes better then wee what is good for vs : as the Nurse knoweth better then the child when the milke is ready for it . Therefore Christ saith , Your heauenly Father knoweth what you haue need of : he saith not that we know what we haue need of , but that our father knoweth : as if he shoulde say , when you haue neede of health , your Father will sende you health : when you haue neede of riches your Father will send you riches : when you haue néede of l●●ertie , your Father will send you libertie : for he saith not onely , that his Father knoweth what we haue neede of , but he will giue vs the things which we need . Therfore as children take no care for their apparell , what cloathes they should weare , nor for their victuals , what meat they should eat , but leaue this care for their father , so saith Christ , Take you no care , for my father careth for you .

Hee was not content to call Godlinesse gain , but hee calleth it great gaine , as if hee would say Gaine , and more then Gaine : riches , and better then riches : a Kingdome , and greater then a Kingdome .

As when the Prophetes woulde distinguish betweene the Idol gods and the liuing GOD , they call him the great God : so the gaine of Godlinesse is called greate gaine . The riches of the worlde are called earthlye , transitorye , snares , thornes , dung , as though they were not worthye to bee counted Riches : and therefore to draw the earnest loue of men from them , the holy Ghoste bringes them in with such names of disdaine , to disgrace them with their louers : but when hee comes to Godlinesse , which is the riches of the soule , he calleth it great riches , heauenlye riches , vnsearcheable riches , euerlasting riches , with all the names of honor , and al the names of pleasure , and all the names of happinesse . As a woman trimmes and deckes her selfe with an hundred ornaments , onelye to make her amiable , so the holy Ghost setteth out Godlinesse with names of honour , and names of pleasure , and names of happinesse , as it were in her iewels with letters of commendation , to make her to hee loued . Least any riches shoulde compare with Godlinesse , hee giues it a name aboue other , and calleth it Great Riches , as if , hee woulde make a distinction betweene Riches and Riches : betweene the gaine of Couetousnesse , and the gain of Godlinesse , the peace of the world and the peace of conscience , the ioy of riches , and the ioy of the holy Ghost . The worldly men haue a kind of peace , and ioy , and riches , but I cannot call it great , because they haue not enough , they are not contented as the Godly are , therefore onely Godlinesse hath this honour , to be called great riches . The Gaine of couetousnes is nothing but wealth , but the Gaine of Godlinesse is wealth , and peace , and ioy , and loue of God , and the remission of sins and euerlasting life . Therefore onely Godlines hath this honour to by called great gaine . Riches make bate , but Godlinesse makes peace : Riches breede couetousnesse , but Godlinesse bringes contentation : Riches make men vnwilling to die , but Godlinesse makes men ready to dy : Riches often hurt the owner , but Godlinesse profiteth the owner & other . Therfore onely Godlinesse hath this honour to be called great riches , such ●●ine , such ioy , such peace is in Godlinesse , and yet no man couets it : for this is the qualitie of vertue , it seemeth nothing vnto a man vntil he hath it , as Salomon saith of the buier , while he is in buying he dispiseth the thing which he buyeth , & saith , Pro. 20. 14. It is naught , it is not woorth the price which ye ask , but when he hath bought it , so soon as he is gon , he boasteth of his peniworths , and saith it is better , then his mony . So Godlines , before a man haue it , hee saith it is not woorth his labor , and thinkes euery houre too much that he spendeth about it , but when hee hath found it , he would not loose it againe for al the world , because hee is now come to that , which followeth , to be contented with that hee hath . Riches come , and yet the man is not pleased , honour comes and yet the man is not pleased : libertie comes , and yet the man is not pleased , pleasure comes , and yet the man is not pleased , Psal. 23. 5 vntill God come , & then he saith , My cup is ful . Shew vs thy father ( saith Phillip ) & it sufficeth . Iohn . 14. 7 nay shew vs thy truth and it suffiseth . Now my soul ( saith the Churle ) take thy rest : nay , now my soule take thy rest , Luke . 12. 19 for thou hast layd vp for many yeares . The godly man hath founde that which the world dooth seeke , that is inough , euery word may be defined , & euery thing may be measured , but enough cannot be measured nor defined : it changeth euery year : when we had no thing , we thoght it enough if we might obtaine lesse then we haue : when we came to more , we thought of an other enough : nowe we haue more , we dream of another enough : so enogh is alwais to come , though too much be there already . This is because we séek contentation in the things , when it is in the mind , for Godlines is in the mind , and the gaine of Godlines is contentation . The apostle speakes as though hée had founde a new kinde of riches , which the world neuer thought of that are of such a nature , that they will satisfie a man like the water that Christ spake of , Iohn . 4. he that drinkes of this water shall thirst no more : so they that tast of these riches shall couet no more : but as the holy ghost filled all the house , Act. 2. ( Act. 2 ) so the grace and peace , and ioy of the holy ghost filleth all the hart , that as Ioseph had no neede of Astronomy because hee had the spirite of Prophecie , Gen. 44. 15 so hée which hath contentation hath litle need of riches . Such a sweet thing is Godlinesse that it seasoneth al estates , like the Vnicornes horne , which dippeth in the fountain , & maks the waters which were corrupt & noisom clear & wholsome vpon the suddaine : so whatsoeuer estate godlinesse comes vnto , it saith like the Apostles , Peace bee to this house , peace be to this heart , peace bee to this man .

I may liken it to the fiue loaues Luke . 5. 9 and two fishes wherewith Christ fed fiue thousand persons , and yet there were twelue baskets full of that which was left , which coulde not fill one basket when it was whole : so their litle feast was made a great feast : so the godlye though they haue but litle for themselues , yet they haue something for other , like the wyddowes Myte , that they may say as the Disciples saide to Mark . 12. Christ , Math. 10 they want nothing , though they haue nothing . Contentation wanteth nothing , and a good heart is worth all : For if she want bread , she can say as Christ said , I am another bread : Iohn . 4. 32. If she want riches , she can say , I haue other riches : If shee want strength , she can say , I haue other strength : If shee want friends , she can say , I haue other friends . Thus the Godly and all within , that the Godlesse séek without . Therfore if you sée a man contented with that which hée hath , it is a great signe that Godlinesse is entred into him , for the hart of man was made a Temple for God , and nothing can fill it but God alone . Therefore Paule saith after his conuersion that which he coulde neuer say before his conuersion , Phil. 4. I haue learned to be content , First he learned godlines , then godlines taught him contentation . Now ( saith Paul ) I haue learned to be content , as though this were a lesson for euery Christian to learn , to be content For thus he must thinke , that as God said to Moses , when he coulde not obtaine leaue to goe to Canaan , Let this suffice thee to see Canaan : Deut. 26. so whatsoeuer he giueth , he giueth this charge with it , Let this suffice thee . As Ieremy saith , This is my sorrow , and I wil beare it , Ier. 10. 19 so thou must say , This is my portion & I wil take it . This is the signe , whether Godlines be in a man , if he haue ioy of that which he hath : for the thinges which god giueth to the righteous , Paul saith that he giueth them to enioy , 1. Tim. 6. 17. that is , if he haue much , he can say with Paul , I haue learned to abound : if he haue litle , he can say with Paule , I haue learned to want : that is , if he haue much as Abraham , & Lot , & Iacob , & Iob , and Ioseph , yet it cannot corrupt his mind , but as the net was ful of fishes , and yet did not rent , because they cast it in at Christs commaund : Iohn . 21. 11. so though the godly man be full of riches , yet his heart is not rent , his mind is not troubled , his countenance is not chaunged , because hée remembreth that these thinges were geuen him to doo good , as Hester thought of her honor : if hée haue litle , Hest. 4. 14. it is like the litle oyle , which serued the widdow as little as it was , 2. King . 4. 7. For a litle to the righteous Psal. 34. ( saith Dauid ) is better then great riches to the vngodly : for when a man hath found the heauenly riches , hee careth not for earthly riches no more then he that walketh in the Sun , thinks not whether the Moon shine or no , because he hath no néed of her light . Therfore we conclude with Christ ( Math. 5 ) Mat. 5 Blessed are they which thirst after rigteousnes , for they shall be satisfied : Not they which thirst after riches , nor they which thirst after honour , nor they which thirst after pleasure , they shal not be satisfied , but thirst more , as the ambitious , voluptuous and couetous do , but they that thirst after righteousnesshalbe satisfied , though they haue no riches , nor honor , nor pleasure : Gen. 2 euen as Adam was warm though he had no cloaths , though he was naked , yet he did not sée his nakednes , so long as he was innocent : but when he began to rebel , then he began to want cloaths , so thogh a man be pore , yet he doth not see his pouerty so long as hee is contented , but when hee beginnes to couet , then he beginnes to want riches , and from that day the curse ( in the first of Agge . 6. ) takes holde vpon him , Ye eat , but ye haue not inough : ye drinke , but ye are not satisfied : ye cloath your selues but ye are not warme . Indeed the couetous man séemeth to drawe the world to him with cordes , his coffers are of lodestones , his handes like nettes , his fingers like lime-twigges , there it comes , and there it comes , one would thinke that this man should be happie one day .

When the Churles barnes wer full , hee bad his soule rest , thinking to gaine rest by couetousnesse , Luke . 12. 8. that hee might say Riches gaine rest aswell as Godlinesse , but see what happened that night when he began to take his rest , riches & rest , and soule and all were taken from him . Did he not gaine faire ? would he haue taken suche paines if hee had thought of such rest , couetousnesse may gaine riches , but it cannot gaine rest , ye may thinke iike this churle to rest , when your barnes and shoppes and coffers are full : but yee shall finde it true which Esay saith , Esay . 41. there is no rest to the vngodly , therefore the wise man to preuent anie hope of rest , or honour or profite , by sinne , speakes as though he had tried , Pro. 12. 3. a man cannot be established by iniquitie . Therefore hee cannot be quieted nor satisfied by the gaine of deceipt , or bribes , or lies , or vsurie , Pro. 10. 2. which is iniquitie : therefore blessed is the man whome godlinesse doth make riche , for when the blessing of the Lord maketh rich ( saith Salomon ) he doth ad no sorrow to it , Pro. 13. 6 but ( saith he ) the reuenewes of the wicked is trouble , as though his money were care : wherefore let patrone , and landlord , and lawyer , and all say , that Paul hath chosen the better riches , which theefe , nor moth , nor canker can corrupt . these are the riches at least which wee must dwell with , when all the rest which wee haue lied for , and sworne for , and fretted for , and cosoned for , and broken our sleepe , and lost many sermons , forsake vs . Like seruauntes which chaunge theyr maisters : then godlinesse shall seeme as great gaine to vs as it did to Paul , and hee which loued the worlde moste , would giue all that he hath for a dram of faith , that he might be sure to go to heauen when hee is dead , though hee went towardes hell so long as hee liued .

It is said of this citie that manie citizens of London haue good willes , but bad deedes , that is , you doe no good till that ye die .

First you are vngodly , that you may be riche , and then you part from some of your riches to excuse for your vngodlinesse , it may be , that some heere haue set down in their willes , when I die I bequeath an hundreth pound to a colledge , and an hundreth pound to an hospitall , and an hundreth gownes to poore men . I doe maruaile that you giue not more when you are at that poynt , Mat. 27. 3 for Iudas when hee died returned all agayne : so yee die and thinke when ye are goue , that God wil take this for a quittance : bee not deceiued for God doth not looke vppon that whiche yee doe for feare , but vpon that which yee doe for loue . If you can finde in your heart to doe good while yee are in healthe , as Zacheus did , then God hathe respect vnto your offering , but before God hearken howe you giue your riches , first hee examines howe ye come b● them .

Thus you see the fruites of Godlinesse and the fruits of couetousnesse if yee bee couetous you shall neuer haue inough though ye haue too much . If ye be godly , yee shall haue inough though yee seeme to haue nothing .

Therefore what counsell shall I giue you , but as Christ counselled hys disciples , Lnk. 16. 9 be not friendes to riches , but make you friendes of riches , and knowe this , that if hee cannot say as Paul saith , Phil. 9 I haue learned to be content , Godlinesse is not come into your house yet , for the companion of Godlilinesse is contentation . Therefore as Christ saith , Iohn . 8. 39. if the sonne make you free , you shall be free in deede , so I say , if godlinesse make you rich , ye shal be rich indeede .