Meditation 1. Of mans pilgrimage while he is in this life .

ALl the while we liue in this world , 2 Cor . 5 , 6 wee are absent from the Lord , saith the Apostle Paul : Therefore thou art a pilgrime in this worlde , and trauellest toward heauen , in regard we haue here no Cittie durable or continuing , Heb . 13.14 . but we seeke one to come . Hence is it that all trauaile is laborious , & so not stable or delightsom to thee , because thou art but a passenger through this worlde : and hence comes it , that the pilgrime suffers hunger , thirst , heat , colde , losses , molestations , infirmities , & many other miseries whereto wee are all subiect in this worldes pilgrimage . The traueller goes farre from his countrey and family , yet is desirous to returne thither againe : Euen so wee as banished from this worlde , shoulde long for our returne to heauen , our true borne countrey . And like as pilgrims are cheerefully welcommed into Innes or lodgings , yet ere their departing some account of expenses is made vnto them , so thogh wee haue a little shewe of pleasant entertaynment in this worlde , yet at our deathes we must render a seuere and stricte account for the same . Then since thou art a pilgrim seek not ( fonde wretch ) to buylde houses or vnfruitfull habitations in this world : hauing so rich a father , and a country so fertile , abounding and stored with houses , that expecte thy comming . The Apostle Peter sayth , 1 Pet . 2. I beseech ye as pilgrims & strangers that ye abstaine from carnall desires which fight against the soule : instructing vs hereby to lead our liues like pilgrims . What though they liue in afflictions , disgraces , meer strangers in the world , and haue no friendes to respect them : be thou in like manner as little mindfull of friends , whome thou shalt find preiudiciall and dangerous to thy soule , neither seeke after things pleasing to thy appetite , in regarde thou art a way fairing man & traueller , which if thou wilt but remember , thou shalt preuent many euils . Seest thou not what speed a Post makes on his iourney ? hye thee then as fast from this worlde , so full of miseries . He that comes to a poore cottage or country sheepcoat , to take shelter there vnder while a storme of raine bee blowen ouer : for the small time he hath to abide there , neuer busies his brains to make it greater , or to builde it in more beauty then it is : No other shelter , roome or harbour haue we on this earth , because wee arriue heere to day , and departe againe hence to morrowe . Then neuer care to get honours , riches , & worldly bubbles of vanitie , in regarde tyme swiftly paceth on , and thou in a moment passest hence : therfore thou shalt not do amisse by example of that traueller , who on his iourney hath nothing els in his minde , but at what place or Cittie hee is to arriue , to remember continually the lande of the liuing , where the Saintes doo ioy in Christ : and when thou goest towarde thy fathers house , thinke with what minde thou oughtest to come thither , howe thou art to be entertayned , and forgette all thinges that would confine thee to this present life . Moreouer , seeing for halfe an houres tarrying in a country , thou wilt seeke neither house or Inne , excepte thou wert certain to bide ther longer time : I cannot choose but meruail thē , why thou desirest to build high houses and make such prouision for many matters , thy life while being so shorte and vncertaine , the hower of death so doubtfull , as thou knowest not if thou shalt liue an houres space or no . How worthy then art thou of most sharpe reprehension , for laying such fast hold on this false and slippery worlde , as if thou wert to remayne here for euer ? Thus many build houses , that neuer stay to dwell in them , and while the swifte houre of death coms stealing on , they make but a ieste of sounde approued trueth , thinking they runne away with a riche robbery of worldly vanities . Why doth the traueller beare so patiently a badde nightes lodging in his Inne , but that hee hopes to sleepe at better quiet the next night in his own house ? This one consideration ( me thinkes ) might suffice to make thee patiently endure all the turmoils and troubles of this life , remembring how short a while they wil last , and forthwith thou must returne to thine own house in heauen , where thou shalt repose thy self quietly for euer .

Blessed is that pilgrim , who at all times , and in all places of his abiding , forgets not in this life his heauenly habitation , seeking there his perpetuall quietnesse , where the Saints reioyce with Christ in eternal glorie . Blessed likewise is that pilgrime , who seekes not his dwelling here in this worlde , Phil . 1. 23 but desireth to bee loosed from this flesh , and be with Christ . And lastly , blessed is he , Apo. 19.9 that is called to to the Lambes supper : and though he bee not placed at his table , yet sighes and mournes for it here in this world . Haue therefore euer before thine eies these words of Dauid , thus speaking to God , I am a stranger before thee , psa . 39 , 12 and a pilgrim like all the rest of my fathers . Wherefore if thou well considerest how eternal & durable the life which wee seeke for is ( for it shall neuer haue end ) and compare it with this present transitorie shaddow : albeit thou shouldest liue a thousande yeares in this world , yet equals it not half an hour in respect of the life to come . Thē cast both forwarde & backward thine account , & thou shalt truely find , our whole life here is not a pointe in comparison of that should be desired .

This mooued the Apostle Paul , paciently to support the paine and trauell of his peregrination , as hee writ to the Corinthians , Wee are afflicted , 2. Cor . 4 but not in distresse , wee are in pouertie , but want not : wee are cast down , but we perish not : I say wee want not , because our tribulation ( for the present time ) is but short & momentary , if wee liue not contemplating those things which we see , but those wc we see not . Thus was the Apostle Paule enforced hereto , remembring the breuitie of present tribulation , & that he iourneyed to arriue at the heauenly Citty . If hee was such a pilgrim , let not like trauell seem laborious to thee : If when thou iournyest it fall out irksome to thee , and that men thinke scorne to knowe thee , repute it not to bee vile or molestious , because thy trauel wil soone be ended .

S. Paule speaking of the Saintes of the old Testament , saith : That they confessed themselues to be strangers & pilgrims on the earth . Heb . 1. Therefore they remained in caues & poore cottages , neuer hauing any rest at al in this life , trauelling continually , because they woulde not liue as determinate dwellers in this worlde . Caine first began to buylde a Cittie on the earth , and lost a better Cittie , the Cittie of heauen , Gene , 4 because hee was the first that would liue in this world , as a firme inhabitant , and not a stranger , & therefore he stood condemned by God . Peter the Apostle was reproued by many reasons , that being a pilgrime , Mat . 17. he would build a house ( like an earthly dweller ) vpon Mount Tabor . They that wander through forrain prouinces , returning home to their houses , buy not in their trauell any weightie things to carrie about them , except iewels , and other smal portable matters of some value , thou then that art a stranger and pilgrim , consider hereby thou canst carie nothing at all with thee out of this life .

Then here must needes be left all thy honour and riches , onely thy iewels & precious stones , which are thy faith and good works , them dooe thy endeuour to carrie with thee . Poore miserable wretch , why then doest thou so busie thy selfe to gette and buy such thinges which thou must needes leaue by the way ? why couetest thou to bee so rich , to ouerlode thy selfe , and trudge about so seriously , to liue poorely afterward , and die with famine in the self same house where thou thought'st to liue for euer ? Alter this fond & friuolous purpose , seeke no abiding here , but in the place thou wast borne , for let al other trash and trifles alone , ouerlode thy selfe with those iewels before named if thou canst , so shalt thou come rich●y home to thine owne house in heauen , there to liue honourably and blessed for euer .

Meditation 2. Of worldly riches .

Psal . 61. IF thy riches increase , set not thy heart vppon them , saith the prophet Dauid : therefore the seruant of Iesus Christ ought to abhorre all such things as would withdraw him from God . Seeme not these worldly riches vaine vnto thee , that haue their ending altogether vayne ? Psal , 72 The rich men haue slept their sleepe , and nothing left to bee founde in their handes : Then doubtlesse most vaine are all those thinges , that would hinder thee from an end so much to bee desired , I meane the true passage to thy heauenly habitation .

Those kingdoms & Citties which the deuil shewed to our Sauiour Christ vpon the mountaine , Mat . 4 were not true riches , but fantastical & sightly in the eie : euen so all the riches , honor , and glorie of this world , are no perfecte goodes , but fained , dissembled , and ( as Saint Iames saith ) a vapour that appears a while and in a moment is dispersed . Iam . 4 , Then set not thy affection on such transitorie thinges , which bring nothing else but a desire of them , because few or none wrappe themselues vp among riches , but their hartes are soundly attainted with the corruption of them .

Eccle , 31.8.9 Blessed is the riche man , that is founde without blemish , and hath not gone after golde , nor hoped in money and treasure . Who is he , & we will commende him ? If there bee not one , in what danger are they then that lincke and fasten themselues to such folly ? The way to heauen , Mat . 7. is narrowe & troublesome , not to be found without the especial fauour of God : then thou rich man whatsoeuer thou art , craue thou the mightie & wonderful assistance of Gods fauour to bee thy guide , & all little enough , yet the poore in spirit find the way readily , by the very least helpe of their Lord & maisters grace .

Then if the rich will be saued , the greatest and most excellent fauour of God is needfull for them , for their perill and danger of saluation being so great , the meanes to obtaine the same must bee much greater : hence is it that riche men are called wicked , & the heires of euill , because they resemble the ful gorged Faulcon , that will not know her maister , & turne vnto him .

Luk . 15 , The prodigall sonne no sooner became rich , but he forsooke both his father & his house● necessitie & misery came & but pinched him , then he sorrowed and wold needs returne to his father : wherby we may gather that riches seperat● men from God , & pouert● bringeth them back agai● vnto him . Num . 32. The children o● Reuben and Gad desire● Moses that he wold leau● thē there in the country o● Iordane , where was goo● feeding for their cattel : neuer caring to go to the lan● of promise . In like mane● there are many that refus● the kingdome of heaue● promised them in perpet●al possession , for the loue of riches and corruptible goodes they enioy in this false world . If therefore thou wilt truely giue thy self to God , despoyle thee of all loue and affection to worldly thinges , because thou art busied and troubled about many matters , Luk . 10. and yet but one thing is onely necessary , and if thou haue that , giue present discharge to al other whatsoeuer .

When our first parents were in the state of innocencie , & busied onely with spirituall consideration of God , ●hey had so little minde of their bodies , Gen. 3. as they neuer saw themselues to bee naked : they had no sooner sinned , but they discerned their nakednes & misery , & presently sought means to couer themselues withall . Paul the Apostle rapt vp to the thirde heauen , said himselfe , he knew not whether he were in bodie , or diuided from himselfe , therfore they make no reckoning at all of their bodies , that are lifted vp to heauenly thinges , where they are so busied in spirit , that the bodie is quite forgotten . This forgetfulnes is reputed a weightie consideration , and thus not to know our selues , is verie great wisedome .

The disciples of Christ being busied in the doctrine of their diuine mayster , gaue no regard to exteriour occasions , and so forgot to wash their hands when they sate downe to the table : Mat . 15 but the Pharises minding outwarde ceremonies , woulde needes know of Christ , the cause why his disciples washed not their handes . Wherefore the seruantes of this worlde , troubled about base and slender matters , giue no attention to the great and higher : so that by trifling about bodily businesse , they want time to thinke on the affaires of the soule . Hence is it , that fruitles thoughtes are the children of riches , and the works they bring with them , doo nothing els but choake and confound the spirite . Therefore thou shalt do well in making no account of these corruptible treasures , that thou mayest the more freely giue thy selfe to God : for thou canst not flie vppe to him , except first thou cut the corde which hanges at thy heart , and still pluckes thee backe to the worlde and vaine wealth , whereto thou art fastned with too much affection . Then not to seperate thee from the loue of Iesus Christ , seeke after his sweetnes , and despise this base worldes bitternes . Oftentimes in good and sauorie meates is poyson receyued , and they that haue eaten thereof are forthwith ready for the graue : Sweete are the riches of this worlde to such as loue them , yet vnder them is death hidden , because they make a man proude and vicious , and so he takes them with him to death eternall . We read in Ecclesiasticus : He that loueth riches , Eccle . 1. shall receyue the rewarde of his loue : & what reward that is , the Apostle Paule declareth , They that will bee riche , 1 , Tim . 1. fall into the snares and tentations of the Deuill : for all creatures are alike vnto man , as man is to himselfe . Therefore ●he good mind cannot be contaminated or abused with thinges so farre different from it , nor can the wicked man any way help himselfe by them . Tell mee , what helpe is aboundance of riches to this frail fleshe of ours , which is borne to die , and putrifie in the earth ? they cannot defend it from the corruption whereinto perforce it must fall , a constant and good minde is that , which is not subiected to riches . The Psalmist sayth , The proude and rich Lordes haue slept their sleep , Psal . 76. but he doth not call thē Lords of their riches , because they are seruants , slaues & drudges thereto , and not maysters or controulers of their riches .

Gaine gotte with euill fame is reckoned for losse , and he is to dread it , that is affraide of pouertie . Seruants serue their maysters but to ease them of labor , cares & troubles : bad seruants then are money and goods that not onely doo not lessen their maysters molestations , but encrease and lay more heauie loade vppon them . What els is gold , but rust , & drosse of the earth ? What is siluer and precious stones , but very froth of the selfe same earth ? what are our finest Veluets and silks , but excrements of vile worms ? what are your purest cloth , but wool of beastes ? what are your richest and most esteemed furres , but cases of dead beasts ? what are painted pallaces , and great populous Citties , but meere earth ? what is honor , but a winde ? and in briefe what thing soeuer els in the world , but dust ? Canst thou then loue all these earthly thinges , which the worlde falsly cals goodes , when the very best of them is but a peece of vile earth ? Seeke but to knowe the vanitie of those things the world presentes thee withall , and thy hart will hate to be set vpon such base matters . Aske but of the prophet Esay the worth of worldly thinges , and by this aunswere thou wilt somewhat be satisfied : All flesh is grasse , and all the glory thereof is as the flower of the field . Isa . 40.

Why then , if the very best thing in the vniuersall world be man , and all the glory of man ( as the prophet sayth ) is but like the fieldes flower : whereto may wee compare all the rest beside , which thy self wilt confesse ●uch inferior to man . Now here maiest thou learne thē some knowledge of thy selfe , that thou being so excellent a creature , created onely for the loue and seruice of God , wilt so much imbase thy selfe , and shewe such want of spirit , as to forsake thy Creator , and dedicate all thy endeuours to such vile and worthlesse things . Do but seeme once to haue a holy pride in thee , thinke thy selfe to be made for reason , know the nobility & excellency of thy birth , which thou hast receyued from God , loue noble things , ( I mean spiritual riches ) according to the noble inclination , with God himself endued thy royal hart withall , when ( after his owne image and likenes ) he created thee .

Consider what the value of gold and precious stones is , when Salomon ( according to the saying of our Sauiour ) adorned with silks , iewels and precious stones , yea , Mat . 6 in all his glorie and royaltie , coulde not come forth clothed like one poore flower of the fielde . And yet wee account him a foole that termeth grasse to be richer thē golde , which made the Queene of Saba meruayle at the wealth & wisedome of Salomon , 3. Reg . 10 but neuer a whit to wonder at the Lillie of the field .

Great is the fondnes and errour of men , that ( like to thinges which onely seeme but faire ) they iudge the beautie of them that are truely and really fayre indeed : and this is the reason of our peeuish appetite , when wee fancy a gaudie shew , and make no account at all of the goodly substance . Thus it happens stil with vs , who ( like greedy and couetous desires of we know not what ) would seem heere more beautiful in our garments of golde , then the Lillie growing in the fielde : But if with the eye of t●uth we wold wel regard the case wee shoulde find our selues more whipt for our golden and silken garmentes , euen at mens handes that make them for vs , then the Lillie is at Gods hand , who made it : and yet all our brauery not equalling that one flowers beautie . What is sayde of the Spouse in the Canticles . Like the Lillie among the thornes , Cant . 2 so is my loue among the daughters . Loue then true beautie , and the rich celestiall treasures , and neuer set thy hearte on the filth of the earth .

Oh Christian brother , why doest thou heate thy blood , grow impacient and desperate about temporall treasures , when thou art promised heauenly & eternal ? It is a matter too much inconuenient , that thou being ●o disciple of Iesus Christ , called and chosen for the i●y●s of heauen ? shouldst esteeme such thinges as were contemned , euen by the Philosophers of the Genti●●● alas , alas , thou louest mony much , & it helps thee but little . Admit thou hadst in thy power all the treasures of the worlde , shalt thou thereby be made more young , more wise , more strong , or more fayre then now thou art ? Thou wilt tel me that by riches thou shalt attaine to many pleasures : Doo then but consider how vaine , swift and short they are , for true pleasure ▪ & delight indeed is the onely repose and tranquillity of the mind . Thou wilt tell mee , that with riches thou canst purchase honours : remember then withall 〈◇〉 that men admire not at thee , or honour thy person , but the garmentes and riches thou wearest , so then that honour is none of thine , but thy clothings .

But could men ( at that very instant ) beholde the poore naked beggerlinesse of thy soule , they woulde hardly iudge any creature in the worlde to bee more miserable , because the true honor of man , is to be beloued of God , & not for vaine pomp , or to bee gazed on by men . Thou wilt say , that with riches thou canst gette thee friends ▪ thinke then they be no true friends , but false , & thou gaynest nothing thereby but manifest losse . Poor wretch , that thy riches which loues thee not , but deludes thee , that they who giue thee fayrest lookes , & friendlike huggeth neerest thee , should desire thy speedie departing , for nothing else but to enioy thy possessions .

Thou wilt say , that hauing riches , thou canst giue almes to the poore , and doe many other good deedes : indeede these are rich mens wordes , that promise most , and performe least : but if Christ were nowe on the earth and shoulde say to them , as he did to his Apostles , Leaue all and follow me , he were more like to walke without Apostles , then they in any hast to parte from their riches . Ah open thine eyes ( deare brother ) & look on the deceytfull labyrinth wherin thou liuest , is riches , dung & dirt of the world so precious to thee ? why loue selleth the louer for the thing beloued , so that he is no more his owne , but quite giuen ouer to that he loues : so thou thy selfe valuing much more then this trashe which thou louest , commest to giue the better for the worse , and sellest away a precious iewell , for a matter of no estimation at all , euen thy hart which is Gods and none of thine , for mudde , drosse and filth , then which nothing is more base .

God commands , that we should loue him onely , not because he hath any need of our loue , but for our owne profit : Now if thou wilt sel thy selfe to God , loue him , thou shalt better thy self by the bargaine , giuing a trifle for that which is inestimable , & a thing scant precious for the which no price can comprehend . For true riches encreaseth more by diminishing couetous desires , then greedy gathering wealth together , which prooue oftentimes most daungerous to them that possesse them : & such as God hath chosen to liue with him , hee is wont to depriue of so maine a hinderance , lest their own folly ouercomming them with riches & vain prosperity , they should be blinded with the smoke of these friuolous honors , and so loose the inestimable dignities & treasures laid vp for them in heauen . Consider withal in how smal esteeme God himself holds these earthly treasures , seeing on a sudden , and at the instance of Sathan hi● enemy , he quite dispossessed his seruan● Iob , being one whome h●e loued and not a little esteemed .

Lift vp thine eyes ( deare brother ) and consider howe vile and contemptible worldly riches shoulde bee to thee , fasten not thy affection on such vanities , but on thy Sauiour Christ Iesus , pray him to change thy former wretched purposes , & with him that intirely wisheth and desireth thy saluation , lay hold on that which neuer will deceiue thee .

Meditation 3. Of true riches .

LAy vppe ( for your selues treasures ) in heauen , Mat , 6. sayth our sauiour . For it is but folly to seeke preseruation of those thinges which are lost by preseruing , and found by loosing , or may be compared to the graine cast into the ground , which multiplies by losse , and being saued perisheth . If our worldly goodes be giuen to the poore , they fructifie and bring profit : but being kept vp , and no way imployed , destroy both them selues & their couetous keepers . Loose thou thy money for thy brothers and neighbours sake , Ec●le . 29. and let it not rust vnder a stone to thine owne perdition . If the children of Israel had saued their Manna , it would haue corrupted and beene filled with vermine . The like may wee say of this worldes vaine riches , which are no way sooner lost , then by too much sauing them . Truely a most wounderful way is it , to enrich our selues , by giuing and dispersing abroad , yet wee repute it rather to hoording vppe , and gathering together : but if in this world we distribute to the poore , we lay vp our riches in heauen , where it wil increase , & we shall bee assured to find it .

We see how men send out money to Cittyes and Prouinces farre off , and their safest way to doo so , is by letters of exchaunge : if then thou intende to sende thy treasure securely before thee , and to the cittie of heauenly Ierusalem : here are letters & exchaungers ready at hand for thee , euen no other thē the poor , which banckers & reanswerers of money , are different from those vsed now a daies in this worlde , who when thou wouldst haue thy money in a farre countrey , where thou hadst need of it , thou must perforce sustain some losse , for they wil not pay thee so much there , as before thy iourney thou didst disburse out here . But if thou trafficke with the poore , they haue so certaine a banque in heauen , as thou shalt not loose the smallest myte by the bargayne , for not onely shalt thou truely receyue what thou layest out heere in earth , but an ouerplus : yea , much more then I am able to speak of . No man in this world will assure an others merchandise , except the owner wil endure some losse thereby : so that hee must pay a parte to him , who assures him but the remainder . In this custome house for the poore , thou shalt be sure of a most especial surety euen Iesus Christ himself , who without receyuing one peny for thy assurance , will warrant thee all , nay more , thou shalt find it double encreased in his heauenly treasury . Make thy banque ●hen in this vncorruptible storehouse of riches , where not any thing whatsoeuer can wast or impair it Hoord vppe in heauen , where thy treasure shall haue infinite multiplying : Send forth thy goods into thine owne proper countrey , among thyne owne friendes , and where thou art to abide for euer . Why shouldest thou put forth thy treasure here , the place being perillous , thy abyding vncertaine , and no profit but payne returning to thee for it ? A wise merchant sendes his goods to that place , where hee hopes to make quickest dispatch , ha●● best sale , and endure least losse .

Too ful of folly then are they , who not hauing to stay aboue two dayes in this worlde , but with the nexte post must away to the other : that they will lay vp any riches here , where they are no otherwise then as pilgrims and strangers , and make no care at all to enrich themselues in heauen , their naturall countrey and perpetual habitation . Send then thy treasure before thee by the hands of the poore , & there thou shal● finde it ready for thee againe in their treasury , all in currant ●oyne , and none false or counterfeyte . As for brasse money , base and vile thinges are vsually bought therewith , but rich and great matters with golde and siluer . Let then thine almes bee in mo●ey of good mettall , euen in money of golde , when thou dost it on meere zeale ●nd for the pure loue of God , then his diuine loue will double the value of it : ●ut if in a brauery thou gi●est thine almes , or for vain glorie , it returnes to base ●rasse mettall , and nothing ●is can be bought therewith but worldly praise , proude opinion , and no such great matters as are the eternall ioyes of heauen . Iesus Christ our redeemer hath promised to him , who giues but a cuppe of colde water in his name , it shal not passe vnthought on : hee woulde haue the almes done onely for his sake , and commands into be done in such secrete manner , as thy left hand may not know what thy right hand doth . Mat . 6. He that enricheth himselfe , doth it in secrete , because he wold not be robd , then rob not thou thy selfe of heauens inheritance , by Pharisaical pride and ostentation , but giue thyne almes for Gods sake onely , and if they happen to be more publike then thou wouldst haue them , or they ought to bee , let yet thine intent be holy and secret : for those that giue to God , in his secret store hee layes it vp for them , and augmentes it against the time of their necessitie .

If there were one , who had his handes of such vertue , that by touching things putrified and corrupted in our handes , coulde make them sounde , and returne to their former good estate , as also to encrease their perfection more and more : were it not great wisdome in vs , to labor for the touch of such powerfull handes ? yea & vpon our knees hourly to intreat it . Such and no other are the hands of God , as of them in the scripture it is thus spoken , His handes are full of all goodnes , Cant . 5 adorned with rings of gold and Chrisolites : Then for our least deed of almes , if wee put it into Gods handes , in a moment will he conuert it into a great peece of fine golde , adorned with pure Chrisolites , like the colour of heauen , where likewise for vs they shal be made celestiall .

And as in a treasury , they vse to mingle no false mony which outwardly hath a little golde , and seemes to bee good , yet inwardly is a mixture of most base mettalles : euen so , & no otherwise are the workes & almes deedes of hipocrites , who outwardly wil appeare iust , as if they were no sinners , but inwardly haue seared and foule deformed consciences : no money of theirs comes into this high treasury , this is no banque for them , they trafficke quite contrary .

And when our Sauiour said , Mat , 6. Lay vp treasure for your selues in heauen : presently he named hypocrisie , aduising vs to flie from it , to the end we should send no false money to heauens treasury , but be aware howe wee medled with such counterfait coin . Herevpon God will haue our alms giuen in the estate of grace , that our inwarde hart be as good as our outward worke . Therefore he that will giue almes acceptable to God , must first make a free gift of himselfe . The Apostle Paule writing to the Corinthians , but speaking of the Philippians sayth , 2 , Cor . 10 They first gaue themselues to God , and afterward● distributed to vs ▪ And wee read in Eccles . Eccles . 10. Haue mercy on thine own soul , by pleasing god ▪

He that taketh compassion on his neighbour , hath it of himselfe first , & on his own soule , because the mercie that is extended to others , is to take originall from a mans owne selfe . Then how can hee haue compassion on his neighbour , that hath none on himselfe ? and he that is wicked to himself how can he be good to another ? Eccle . 14. Who giueth his almes not in due time , giues the almes to God , but to himselfe it is sinne , saith Iob , who was clothed with iustice , adding afterward , Iob . 29 , I was an eye to the blind , and a foote to the lame . Here it appeareth Iob had mercy first on himselfe , hauing put on iustice & sanctitie , then came hee to remember his neighbours necessity . Then seeing God regardes more the hart then the gift , make cleane thy heart from all corruption and hypocrisie , if thou wilt haue thy almes to bee acceptable in his sight , and thus shalt thou send good money ( and not counterfait ) into his treasurie , if thou vse mercy to thy selfe , & art the same within , wherof thou makest an outward shew .

Now that thou mayest the better knowe the true value of this money , poyze it with the weight of diuine loue : because then shall it be more ponderous , of better reckoning and account , when it counteruayles the iust weight of loue and charitie . Diuine loue is that weight of the Sanctuary , whereof God sayth , Euery peece must bee poyzed by the weight of the sanctuary . And with those scales must wee weigh the money which we offer to God , thereby to try if it be light , or how many graynes it wants . In this case then , if wee cloath the naked , wee must trie the worke by the Sanctuaries weight : if we feed the hungry , or doo any of the other deedes of mercy , all must bee censured by the weight of the Sanctuary , for auoyding of ostentation , and worldly singularity . Therefore if our charity shall bee founde too light by the weight of Gods loue , it is no coyne for his treasury , but reputed as base & counterfeyte money : then my dear & Christian brother , whatsoeuer sinfull escapes haue past thee heretofore , begin now at length this holy and christian purpose , to make no hoorde heere on earth , where it is subiect to all casualties , but send good money before thee to heauen , where thou shalt finde it double and treble encreased .

Meditation . 4. Of worldly wisedome .

THat which before God is foolishnes , 1. Cor . 2 in mens iudgement is reputed wisdome , sayth the Apostle . The world accountes him wise , that ( dissembling his vices ) practiseth howe to come by honor and dignity : condemning him likewise for a fool , who despiseth & maketh no reckoning of such vanities . The wise man speaking in the person of worldly men , sayth : We held his life to be foolish , Sap . 5. and his end without honour . Contrariwise the world calles him wise , who cloaking his false faculties , labors with all his thoughts and study , to become wealthy and pompous , whereas they that hate to followe such courses , doe find such worldly wisedome meere death vnto them . And therfore the worldlinges dooe make a scorne of them , as people ( in their opinion ) deuoide of wit : whereas themselues , ( not discerning the worldes foolishnes , that the seruants of Iesus Christ are kindled lampes , Iob . 3. this worlde but a wind ( as Iob sayth ) both to kindle and extinguish ) thus seemely sooth themselues , while heauen condemneth and laugheth them to scorne . Therefore they that are wise indeed , euen for their owne security , doo hyde themselues not caring to be regarded by any but God onely , whom they most desire to please , as hauing more minde of the inward parte , then the outwarde pleasing .

From hence it proceedeth that the wisedome of God , and this other of the world are so contrary : for as the one is despised by him , so is the other condemned by men , and thus they that haue no iudgement at all , bande their wits against the Lorde of all knowledge and ●udgement . When Samuel went to annoint ( as king ) one of Ishai his sonnes , 1. Sam . 16 hee left al them that the father most esteemed , and annointed Dauid , who was in no reputation at all among men , & those other sonnes of Ishai , whom men so much regarded and made account of , were refused by God , as vnmeet for such dignity : thus they whom the world held to be wise , God reputed as fooles , and him whome the world despised , God chose to be a king . Balaam , albeit he was a wicked man , ( the holy Ghost making him the instrument ) spake by his mouth , when hee sawe the tents , & fields of the people of Israel : Num . 24. Oh how goodly are thy tents O Iacob , & thy habitations O Israel ? And when . Balaam spake this , fortie yeares were ouerpast since the people of Israel went out of Egipte , and then their tents must needes bee very olde . Hereby it appeareth , that the world neuer prayseth but by outward beautie , and exteriour paintinges : whereas God respecteth the inwarde onely , and what to the worlde seemes poore or opprobrious , is by God commended and exalted to the cloudes .

He that hath a plaint before a learned man , that hath skill and knowes the course of iustice , neuer greatly cares to bee condemned by an ignorant iudge , because hee can recall it before this man more learned , whose sentence is indeed worthy to be regarded . Iudges are many times worldly men , respecters of profite , and vertuous persons are sometime tryed before them by men of slender estimation : where they are accounted but as fooles , and so all their life time must they beare this sentence , till they come before him better learned , who will doo them better iustice . Euen so princes of this worlde haue reckoned holy Martyrs to bee fooles , seeing with what prompt will they gaue themselues to death : And many wise worldlings haue held euangelicall pouertie for foolishnes , tearming them all fools and beggers that followed Christ Iesus .

A wise man of the world saide to the Apostle Paule : Thou art a foole Paule , Act. 26 much reading hath made thee loose thy sences : whereto Paule answered , I am not mad but speake the wordes of truth & sobernes . So Festus ( not vnderstanding the misteries of the Apostles doctrine ) tooke him for a fool or mad man , like as the world now a dayes doth the very same , to such as knowes not , nor is acquainted with their cunning practises . And this is the censure which the worlde giues of good men , that they are ignorant and knowe nothing , but when this case shall bee tryed before the great learned iudge which is God himself , then it wil fall out otherwise , hee will condemne the worldes sentence as vniust , deliuering an other , which shal be irreuocable , that worldly wise men , who florished in this life , were vaine fooles , sencelesse idiots , and bragd of that they had not . Then let it not offend thee , if the worlde condemne thy life , seeing thou hast such a iudge to appeale vnto , and who will speedily giue thee comfort . Moreouer , the day wil not be long ere it come , when this high & supreame Iusticer will approue that which the world reprou'd , & the most curious contriued policy , wil appear to be but bare & tottered folly , euen they that by wit labour most to despoil others , shal like fooles be shaken out of their rags , & sent away empty . When this fleshe that swimmed in pleasures and delights , becomes food for worms : then wil this worlds goodly wisedome bee euidently discouered , and hee who by his witte lyes most richly entombed , a poore wretch shall passe by & say : there lies the wise man , that prou'de himself a foole : was not Christ our redeemer accounted as a foole ? did the worlde reckon otherwise of him , when in Herods house they clothed him in a white garment ? when the great & profound wisedom of God shall bee reprooued by the worlde : neuer let flesh and blood thinke to escape vntouched : but thus resolue with thy self , howsoeuer thou seemest in the eies of worldly men bee it wise or foolish , thy purpose aymeth at a world excelling all worlds , thereto thou framest al thy hope , directest all thy endeuours , thou art not of this worlde , the other thy soule thirsteth and longeth after : thus pray with perseuerance , & God will blesse thy purpose .