Chap. 31. Ax Expafition xpon the Beoke of ) o s. Verf. 24. __.525.^ God. There's the rich roans temptation. Riches are a temptation two wayes efpecially ; Firft, they tempt men to doe unrighteous things, or to goe unrighteous wayes for the getting of them, Secondly, they tempt to vaine confidence as Toone as they are gotten. Let me give you three brief demonfirations,ro ffiew that there is an extreame tendency in riches to worke up the heart to a confidence in them. Firft , Riches, gold and Giver have a ftrength in them ; This tends and invites to a confidence in them ; And though the firength of riches is greater in opinion then in reality, yet it can- not be denyed, but there is a great deale of ftrength in tithes. (pro. to. 15.) The rich mans aoealth is hisfirong Citie the sie- /iruftior, of the prore is their poverty. The rich man teeureth himfelfe againii a.'.l affaults and doubts not but he fhall endure the hardeft and longei fledge in this wel fortified and wel Gar- rifon'd Citie, and therefore like a man gotten into a prongHold or Citie, he is apt to fcorne and bid defyance to all his enemies, to all wants and dangers. Whereas the prore mans poverty is his def realiion that is, he being p?ore Les open likea Citie without walls anddates to everyapproaching and invading evil]. Now if riches be, efpecially if men judge them to be their ftrength and fortification, their fafety and protection, no marvaile if they put confidence in them.. Secondly, As they have a ftrength in them, foan anfwerable- nes to, yea acommand upon all outward good things. Solomon faith (ecel. so. 19.) gooney anfwereth all things. There is ;' as forceconceave) an elegant Pro(epopeia in the words; fuppofing fpeech in all things, or all things fpeaking and calling aloud to money, and money fpeaking, yea giving a fatisfa&ory anfwer to all things that fpeake to it; nor can it he dcnyed but that money (in force fence) gives anfwer to all things. Firft, ordinarily and honeftly it anfwereth all our bodyly wants, and obtaineth all bo- dyly fupplyes. A man may have any fuch thing for money, that will buy what ever is needful] for or contentfull to this preterit life. Secondly, Money will procureaflìffance or the helpe of any mans labour and paints, of any mans art or skill. Thirdly, Mo- ney will buy our peaceand pacifie the wrathof man, 7ac(b fayd ( Gen. 32. 20.) 1 will pacifie himwith the prefect that goeth be- fore. Acd fo Solomon tells us, (°Pro,21. 14. ) Agift inferret pa. cifetk.
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