Certaaxtitti- mur, donix- opt KrtaQetinrNt. Ptalm.t4.r. Pfalme 117. 590 The uncertainty of obtaining lborldythings pay) dowithmore diligence performe their butnes, in hope ofgreater reward, for their greater labour, it quire fruflra.. tech themoftheir hopes, and not only denieth to giuc them more, but alto taketh from them that they haue. For how manyare there, who by their moderatelaboutshauing got- tenmany things, do in more eager feeking attermore, lofe that whichthey alreadie haue ? Howmanydo we fee daily before our eyes, who lofetheir certainties, whiled they la- bour for vncertainties, and not thinking that they batnee- nough, when they haue too much,do in ouer reachingcatch a fpreine, and while(} theygreedily feekeafter fuperfluities, do lofe not theirfuficiencie alone,but evenneceffaries?And this commeth to paife,not only becaufe theworld is vnfaith- full and vnthankfullto thole that ferue it, but allo bccaufe it is impotent and infu fficient : for howfocuer it isreadie (like Satan the prince thereof) tovndertake great matters, and to make large promifes, that it may moue men to leaue the Lord, and leane veto it, yet the truth is, that though it were willing,yet it isaltogether vnable to per forme; for theearth is the Lords, andallthat therein is, and he giueth to the Ions ofmen, as it feemcth befl to his infinit wifdome : fo that though the world brag neuer fomuchof it poffeflions, and great abilitie ; and proudly arrogating vnto it felfe Gods royallpriuiledges, doth what it can to robhim ofhis right; yet the truth is, that it hath not the worthofagenie at ab- folute command,becaufe euen the leaf'matters aregouerned and difpofedbydiuineprouidence ; neither is it the painful' indeuors ofgreedieworldlings,thatcan compaffe the things which theyfo much delire;keeing they whollyproceed from the bleffingofGod; for as the Pfalmift hath taught vs, Ex- cept the Lord buildthe hone, they labour in vain that build it; andexcept the Lord lteepeth the citie, thekeeper Veatcheth to vaine: and thereforethe world oftentimes(like aneedieand bare mafler, who notwithilanding his pouertie, flandeth much vpon hiscredit and reputation) dodgeth and paltreth withhis feruants, when in truth it hath nothing to pay, and deceitfully picked' quarelswith them, after long feruice fen- dingthemaway elliptichanded, becaufe by reafonof it po. vatic,
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