Chap. 3r. .in Expofiaion upon the Book of j O a. Vert. 25. 53 a__ from the pollution of the world, how puce, how crnire to God Secondly , This adminifters fupport to the Godly poorer for as theywant many comforts which the rich envoy, fo they are freed fromwary temptations which annoy the rich. R ches are a traercy ( they are fo wih the bleffing and grace ofGod) yet they are a dangercae mercy. And though povertie be a trouble and a burden, yet it is a fafe trouble, and ( comparatively to ri- ches) a light burden. I doe not intend pinchingpoverty,or their poverty who are ina neceflitous condition, but theirs w ho are in a meanecondition. Gold is good, yet both an inferior good and an uncertaingood ; riches make cloggs for the foule in its cootie to heaven,but they make themfelves wings and fly as an Eagle to heaven. Gold is good, hut a deceitfull'good ; riches promife much, but performe litle ; and while they payour debrs,they doe not pay their owne ; Gold is good,but'cis fo to us only when we ufe it wel ; Grace is fo good, that it makes us ufe it wel ; Gold is fuch a good as makes molt who have it, ufe it ill and enjoy it worfe e As `lob plainly intimates in the wordswhich follow. For as in thefe words 76bbath renounced all hope in gold, and confidence in the finen gold,fo in the next(which is the common fin of thofe whoenjoy muchgold ) he proceeds to renounce all inordinate joy or rejoycing in it. Verf. 25. If I rejoyced becaufe my wealthwas great, and 6e- coifsmy hand badgottenmuch. This argues the frame of Pi fpirit yet more fpirituall, and more refined from the droffe of earthlines. Poffibly a man may not make Gold his hope, nor fay to the fine gold, thou art my confidence whole heart is over affetîed with his wealth and flufht with fecret rejoycings that his hand bath gotten much ; But, faith rob, I did not fo much as rejsrce becaufemy wealth was great, Mr. Broughton tranflates, If 1 Toyed that my wealth grew. Wealth, in Tome mens hands efpecially, is a growing thing, it grooves like a plant, it (hoots forth buds and bloffomes fromday today, like a tree planted in a fruitful) Foyle, and by the waters fide. lab was a growing man in wealth as wel as in Grace, but this latter growth, not the former, was the matter and occafion ofhis joy. Y- y y 2 BPhyring
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=