524 Chap. 3 I. An Expofition upon the Boole of J o s. Verf.z4. As we fay in Engl;fh, Loe, Thre is the brave and Gallant man,you wot :.f. But who was this for a man ? He was one (faith he) that 3rsr¡qe.d in the abundance of bis riches. O'tis hard to ab ;ur.d is riches, and not to cruft in them. Hence that caution ( P/al. 62. 10. ) Ifriches increafe, fee not your heart upon them. Now what is the lettingof the heart upon riches, but our rejoycing and stuffing in them. And becaufe the heart of man is fo eafily per. fwaded into this finfull truft upon riches, therefore the Apoffle is urgent with Timothy to perfwade all rich men, not only meere worldly rich men, but godly rich men againft it; yea he urgeth Timothy to perfwade rich then againft two fins, which are worfe then all the poverty in the world, yet the uruall attendants ofri- ches, Pride and Confidence (t Tim 6.17.) C'bargethem that are rich in this world, that they be not high Minded. As chaftitieor the purity both ofmind and body is endangered among the pleafures and delightsofthe world : fo is humilitie among the wealth and riches of the world. Therefore charge them that are rich, and charge them home with this thing, that They be not high minded. How apt aremen tobe lifted up with the things of this lower world 1 Riches at once linke the mind down-ward in covetous cares, and lift it upward in proud conceits. A little of the world will make tome men great; in their own eyes; andothers defpica ble in their eyes ; They will not looke upon or fpeake to a poore man, fcarfely to any man that is not as rich as themfeIves; They carry it as if they were menof another world, or made ofano- ther mould, if they have got but a ftep in worldly things beyond their neighbours. Yea fome,who are counted the only wifemen, pride themfelves ( like that foolifh bird) while they looke upon their paynted feathers,and thinke they areofmore worth,becaufe they are worth more then their brethren. Many ( faithMr. Cal- vin) who boaft now a dayes of riches are as if aman fhould thinke himfelfe greatly preferred, whenhe is but mountedupon theblade ofanosion,and when they have only got upon a mole- hil, they beare themfelves as ifthey were carryed in the Chariot of the Surne. To fee a man rich in purfe and poore in fpirit is a great wonder. Now becaufe menare thus endangered topride by riches, Therefore ( faith the Apoftle) Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high. minded. And charge them fe- eondly,That they mill not in umcertaine riches, but in the living god..
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=