TheDelight of Thrivingand irofiverity, &c. '55 Was not for thee, to the pleating of thy defirei, that Gad bath prolpered me, but it mu for his 004 more blefred ends '; and therefore Iwill not ferveor pleafe thee bymy profperity,but him that gave it me] Do not think you have ever the more liberty to gratifieyour appedices in eatingor drinking, becaufe you are rich, or to gratifieyour flefh in inordinate fleep, or eafe, or fports, or idlenefs : but let the fiefh have as little aa if on had the meatteft efface, inwhich neceffity didnot deny you that which might fit you for the work of God. 4Qweft. But maynot a Gentleman fare better then a poor man ? andmay he not fpend more time in eafe or recreations ? or may he not wear more fumptuous. apparel ? Anfw. I. A Rich man that bath a greater family, mull have a greater quantity of provifion then a poor man that bath but few : and fo mull the pooreit too, that hath the like number. And for the Qaality ; many poor are deprived of that which is molt healthful through their neceffity ; and therefore here its lawful for the rich to go beyond them and to ufe fo much of the creature as is moil healthful and tZfefu I to their duties. But for all this, the Richefl man in England bath no more allowance to eat or drink one bit or cup for the meer pleating of his carnal appetite without anyhigher end, then the poor- eft man that is : It is a fin to both. It was a Rich Juan that was tormented in Hell for taking;up good things in this life, in being, clothed in purple and fine Sinnen, and faring delicioufly or fumptuoully- every day, .tink 6. z. And the fame anfwer I mutt give to the reft of the queftion; if a poor man want that eafe, or fleep, or recreation, that would fit him for'Gods fervice ; a Richmay takelt, but not a jot more. He may not lie one hour in bed, nor fpend one bow in talk, fports, or long dinners, beyondwhat is ufeful to his Chri- Itian ends, let him be never fo rich., Rich men have as much work to do as the poor, and as flinch need to watch, pray, and fait, and finely to prepare for death and judgement, which will not fpare them becaufe they are rich. If it be far hardeft for a Rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God by Chrifis own teflimony ; fife, its clear'that Rich men have far greateit need to bepainful to overcome their dangers, and X 2 make
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