Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

That worldly things through our abrufe are hurtful!&c. 66 and neighbourhood. The which as it is true of all wealth im- moderately loued, fo cfpecially when in refpe61 of quantitie it is Browne to abundance and fuperfluitie; for as the fhip when it is is oucrlodcd cannot be kept from finking in the leafl tem- ppefl , by all the care and cunning of the skilful! pilot,.vnlefl'e it be vnbutthened of fome pits of it lading ; fo when our minds ate furcharged with thefe worldly fuperfluities, it is almofl im- poflible with al our careand.vigilance to keepe our foules from finking into the gulph of finne,vnleffe we vnburchen our felues of this abundance, bybeflowing our ftperfluitieson charitable vfes,and in thereli.euing ofour poore brethren.In regard wher- ofone truely faith, that hee who addeth to the wealth ofa co- limns man, giueth wine to him who is ficke ofa burningfe- uer, honie to a cholericke man, banquetting difhes to a f ckePlutarch.. and furfetted flomacke; which though they may pleafe the taf +, yet theyincreafe the difeafe, and hurt in (lead of helping: For they who abound in riches doe commonly keepe them like the vnprofltable feruants talent, doing no good with them to themfelues or others; or elfe imploy them in fuch fnfull ferui- ces, that they were better to haue lien hid flit!, then to become the in ftruments of wickedneffe, and furtherances vnto fin. As for example, when they are abufed to furfetting and drunken - ncffe,andfpent vpon harlots and parafites, in gaming and re- welling, in exceflìue brauerie, or in furthering reuenge,op- preflìon and cruelty :. for then they become the harbin- gers of hell, and like pioners, fmooth and lay open the way which leadeth to deflru &ion. In refpee& of which finfull abufes,the Wife man faith, that hee had obferued, riches re- EcdéC..ra feruedto theowners thereof for their euill : and the fonne of Syrach aflirmeth, that many are deflroyed by rearm of gold, andEccletailicus- haue found theirde/iruflion before them. And in regard ofthis 3s.6' harmefulneffe of abcired riches, they are by one compared vn- tothornes,asourSauiourChrifl alto hiwfelfe lskeneththem fdr asthornes are barren of fruits, fo they of good workes; as' they pricke the hands that touch them, fo there the hearts that are fet vpon them ; as they are eafily caught with the fire,' and are hated of the husbandntan;fothere being hated ofGod are early confiwned with thefire ofhis difpleafure; and finally,Chryfofl.io as inthetnharmeful beafls,vipers,and féorpions 'do,hidethem- loan.homiJ:23. felues