That richesare not tobecondemned andreieîled. 21f choke the good feedofthe word,and mares to intangle andLuk.r6.,. drowne vs in perdition. To which I anfwere, that our Sa- Mat.r;.zj, uiourin calling them fo, aimeth not at riches as they are in r.Tim.6.9. their owne naturc,thegifts and bleflingsofGod,nor as they arepoffefhed and viedby the faithful! to good purpofes; but as theyareabufed by wicked worldlings vnto finne, either by their vnlawfull getting ofthem, or as in theirpoffcifion theyare puffed vpwith pride, or null in them more then in God himfelfe; or finally as they commonly abufe them, as their in('truments , to accomplifh and bring to paffe their wicked defignes. And to this purpofe one faith,that there is neitherbalines in pouertie, orfault inriches;but as Iuxurioufne.r Ambrofia infameth anddifcrediteth wealth,fo holinef commendeth po- teertie. And elfewhere he faith, that riches are very good to Pfal.t them thatknow how to vfe them,but to him that knoweth it not, Crimen non efë theydoe indeed become euill. Hebath dillributed andgiuen to in rebas,fed in thepore, (faith the Pfalmift)his rkhteoufneff remained:for vfnagentis. euer. What therefcre is better then of thy riches to..iue to the Bernard° oore,b which God becommeth thyelebter, inacertain indeo Gr9.cap. 1. P 1 J k f lib.9 cap.a. godly vfurie. It is not therefore riches themfelues, but their finfullabufe,which Chrift condemneth ofiniquitie &coil!; neither doe they make a man better or worfe, but as they are vied. For as one faith,There arefame rich whole wealth loth not lift them vp in: pride, but exaltsheenby thework.e.t of mercie;and there arefamewho abounding in worldlywealth,doe notfeeke after the true riches whichare ofGod; neitheryst are in lone with their eternall cotentrie,becaufe they thinks itfnffi_ cient for them tobefnpported with thefe temporali things, And therefore it not wealththat is infault, but the corrupt affe- ilion. Forall thingsthat Godcreated aregood ; but he thatAbu. fethhisgoods,bebaueth himfelfe like.the elutton, who through greed:nefkilleth himfelfe with thatfoode, Where'ithhis life fhouldbe pre(erued. `Poore Lazarus attained Tinto euerlailing Lataratpast° refl,and the rich Gluttonwas tormented,butyet itwas richy1- häm "n,Abra` brahamwhichdid holdpore Laz.arus in his bofome,&c,'Again, fnum leuatus there are otherswhoare deflitute ofearthly riches, andyet are ell dines for. puffed vp in pride in theirowneconceit : thefemenWealth Both Aug.in.Pfal.9. -not lift aloft to makeoJlentation oftheir power, andyet the wit- ser.,r.tora.ae, p 4 kednef[e
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=