'7`,;
or THE RICH MAMI AND L4ZARVS. Ccrraine Sermons, By ROBERT HORNE. L VKE ;2. 21. So is le tbatqg atberet k riches to hàrnfèife, andis not rich inGod. GALAT. 6. ro. whilewehate (therefore) time, let vs doegoad unto Ali men but fpecialy to rhinowhichare o f thebouliold offatk, LONDON, Printedby Ber: .4lfop for IOHN HODG ET S. r619,
eegst ,,; wit . TO T H E \IVOR.- THr IvST l c E O F CHESTER Sir The,,,aschamberlaine, Chiefe Iufice of his Maietties Councell in the Marches of WALE S. . Right Worfhipfull, Haueprefumedunder your worthy Names, tefendforth a fewOhferssations (fetch as theyare) onthe Parable ofthe Rich man andLazarus : A Scripture that may well beletby the Preacher to an age effuch ful- meffe offinneas ours is : An age and time, wheresi vngodlineffe, which (as the(a)L. Prefiee to ofPletlis encefayde) waswont but towh/per the truncr'c men in theBare, and lsspingly to fpeakebetween the teeth,deth ofRel:Von. nowwog boldly, and without all blufboffhame, w ith open mouth, call vpon both Bench anti PulpitforproteEion. Dines bathmanyTonnes at this day,fprung from his laines ofcruelty, and thecontemptofthepoore : andfor hisbrethren among vs, they benot (b) fine enely,but mere then flue hundred; hll which, liming in no feare ofodor death, and impudently in all b L. t 6 thedeedes offnne, requirethe f arpefl edge of Difcipline, Gods 2L andmans. Therefore and towardthe reformationoffomany as Godfkgll inclineto reade with[ernecenfcience theenfuing D f ceurje, 1haue (tomy Poore skill) donefemewhat in this fearefull ParableofDines. That littlewhich is done,isacccrding to the Scriptures, andhumbly commended toyour Worfhip by One that cloth loueandreuerence You for thegoodparts of Iudiice andPiety,whicbare noted to be in youby thofe that knowyou ; andappearethby this, thatyon (pare no framed, ands accept no faces ofmen, orkiters imatter; ofpublake bearingswhether in Terme orout. A
The piffleDcdicatory: Andwho ton but commendthismind ofyours infofcarce a world of iuy? and painefull Magiftrates ? Your piety ix Cods ?natters ts teRtficdfisftsentlyard plainly by your exemplary ebedience to Gods Sabbothes : where yeargoed affeEronto the Werd, 14 a louitag effabilitie to the Preachers thereof, isobferued and reuertnced by as mar as truly knowyAu. Axdfor the in- tegrityofyour mind in Courtcanfe.., youhaue as many wit- netles as the Court heath cares. Ind meted how can I+ice badlyfollow that bathfogoodfore.leaders ? Itrrite not this to game titles : onely inyour perfon (Sir) Idefire toffirrevpothers f14place tobeare you company infogoodawayofpiet w,in- tegritie,and incorrupt iuftice, ifthey be behind. Alfo my defire is, byfo truea relationof fomanyrod&ffice,and ()Tells ofyour chideSteward fhip in theMarchesperformed among vs byyou (matters which haue a good report ofal men,&of the truth ic`felfe) humbly toproueke'you to óce forward in this narrow path,whereiis fofewnow wall¿e,offncere andconfriona le. lagi ¡Jracy. So'balletsone day beare this comfort. hlef eyi q : Mat. 25. 2/. (c) It is well done good feruant & faithfull. But 1 may notfaymuch íei the Preface,whereto little rr fayd in the Book!, it felfe : and therefore to conclude, 1fay,goed Sir, getgroundof the common enemy dayly, as .1 trufiyou doe,andkeepe what you get. Let noman, letnothiv pull this hope from you, Ants whichyen are entred, tallyossbsase finifhed the dayes of 'your faith here,andtbe 4ncientofdayes takeyou tothofe dayes of cndletfelife, which Hebath prepared in His Kingdome of glory for all that loue endWaite ter hisco stming, as Idoubt net you doe,andpray you may doefo fiill,andwit h increaf, that is more ana'more to the true loadofyourfeuerallcharges, and the litregoodofyour'ownjoule; for which beeprayeth,andwillpray : Who is Your Worfhips humblyto be commmaunded, for hisbeft in the Gofpell, ROBERT HORNS, FromMrs. Danetshoufe neere Ludlow. the 19ed.May. tGrp.
OF TH E RICH MAN AND LAZARVS. a erewatt 4Cart the Richman whichWas clothedinprtrple and finelannen,andfared.will anddelicately, emery day, Vic. His chapter is chiefelydireded Sc writ- ten againLl Pharifaical couetoufnes and delicacie ; exhorting to liberalitie, and a careofthepodre, and thisvnder two parables; the firLi ofthe Steward, who did wifely,thoughnotiutlly : Dec. 16. r.2.. &c. theother ofthe richman and /Amaru.r,v. rg. 20. &c.Thcparable ofthe Steward doth not wart tnt any pickery or vnfaithfulnee in fie wards ; but on'y doth implie, that as heemadehimfriends vniuflly; fo wee (Mould both iullly and wifely make vs 9. friends ofthis Mammonof wealth,v. 9. by difperfng a- Vcr, inroad ; that the fouttaines of ourliberatitie mayrunneo- tter to all that necde, Prou.5. z G: The Pharirer,thatwere couetntis,bearin this,v, r 4. thought Ver.I.4 that Chriflfpakefoolifhly, anddangeroufl_y in fo laying, they could not endure that their fore of couetoufnes Mould be touched; and,whenhishand cameneere it, they put itfrom them with a fcofre, and mocked him: they , Wouldneuerbeleeaebut any man might ferueGod, and gather riches ; or how Mould the Common-wealth Band ? andhow thould one wan bee aboue another ? or, 13 c+oX13
2 titheRicbmoynel Lazarus. wouldhee hale all men alike ? as ifchey had thus rea!oned again( him , as again( one that fpake bothabfurdly and Ver.i 5. impioufly. But ver%r 5. hee tels them, thatdefire ofriches and loue ofthemfelues , had fo blinded them , that they fatenot where theywere , nor in what dangerous wayes and that becaufe they held rhemfelues wife, therefore they iudged him foolifh,and his doìrine (that was wife)ridicu. lous : but that that pleated them, Cod abhorred : andfo he commeth to the Scripture, now read,v. r9. which I take to be, not any f}ory or thing done, but as was faid, a parable wherehis chicle purpofe Is to dif wadethefe Pharifes from cruell hardnes and a carnall life by the exampleof this rich man,hung vp (asit were) in chaines in h( 11 for terrour to others,becaufe hefedhimfelfccurlouíly, and fed not poore .Laz,arp.r. And heere vnder the personsofthe rich manand Laza: rats, we haue two forts or (aces ofmen ; fuch as were them in theworld, arenow, and 11-ia11 be to the endoftime. In both which, we Lay note their different Oates , and that hich is common to them : their different flatesare heere on the earth,orafter they left. It in their Hues theydiffered eerymuch,and after their deaths, much more ; for, the rich man was finely clothed, or clothed with foft and gorgeous raymerit : and for hisfare,it wasdelicateandofthe bell cue. rydays.19 the beggar and Lazarus vasvexed with fores and hunger, delring the courfë( bread , or crummesof bread that fel from the richrnans table.v: 20.2 a After death, the beggars foule was g?orified in the boforn of fidraham, being caried thither by the Angels : hurof his burial! there is no mention. I'herichmans bodywas gloriouflyburied in the earth,and his foule pittifully buried in hel.v.22.23.and this is common to moth , that they both died.v.2. z. Thus (andeth the fcope and íurnmeof thefefue lira Lac, 164 verfes,and tlae femme ofall is to aduifemen to fpend their goods well,and not %Ton their lulls : not to forget mercy, and to be. liberal! to Chrif}s poo4e , that theirfountaines, that is, their elate and poiTefIions may be bleffedveto, tliena.
oftheRicb naan,anel Lazarus: 3 themProu.5. 18. But, let vs returne to the rich man, and heare what is Paid ofhim, Tberewas acertaine Richman,erc; The text ipeakethofa certainerich man, but without a- by naine j or ofa rich;man, not named : becaute (as one faith)God takes no care ofthe wicked , neither remembreth their names: Where we learne that finners are in nocredit Doetr. with God : the wicked,and him that loueth iniquitie, doth his foule abhorre, faith Dauid,P /41. a 5.that is,fuch are fo farre from hauing credit with him,that hehateth them ;and not fiuperficially, but fromhis veryf3uïe. Yea,they (hail well know that bee hates them, by rainingvpon them the raineoffnares,of fire and brimttone, and [formic tempeff. v.G he whole countenance beholdeth the ,v.7.will not fuffer finners to (land beforehim.Pf. I.4.5. lob faith, God wiL' not take it michedman by the hand. Iob 8. zo, robs mea- ningmay well be, that hewill not glue him fo much coun- tenance , as men giue to a man , when theygiue him their hand ? orhewill not offerthemhis hand ; and ifthey offer theirs,he will pull awayhis : flare it is , that as he will not caflaway aperfit man , fo he will not helpethe euill doer. Iob. ibid. He that made the remembranceoflofiahashonk in all mouths , Syr.49. r,put out thememorial' of4malek; Exod. 17.14. andbee that Paid to Mops , 1 know thee by name, Exod.33.12) faith to all wickeddoers, 1 know you tlot.iWatth.7.22.& 2 4.1 2. God bath threat ned to ediAowO'r them : ,T .Samuel. z. Rearms. 3°,AndDauid, Gods king and foíower, will make no mention ofthem.Pfal. i 644.Secondly,theybe the enemies that he will roote out,and who, exci pt hemeane toditfemo ble, (whichvileaffec`Uon is farre fromGod) will counte- nancethofe,whom he manes to dettroy ? Thirdly, other- wayes God fhall thould doe as much for the children of wrath as hee dothfor his Beare children ; and that which hehath forbiddenas euill,to fpeakegood ofeuill,Eja.5,2O. B 3 himfelfe
4 oftheRich mIss,andLa4arus. lnimfelfefltouldoffend in, whichoncs rhinke,werebuur. phemy. Fourthly , Mane is an infe ,arablecompanion of fnne , as glory is ofgoodnes : which fhould not be fo, if fanners Mould hauecredit with God , whoMould receiue íbam e both fromGodand godlymen. fe. i. lifese. A terrour towicked fanners, for though they care not for the fauourof God ; yet, by roofing it, they flail b ofe that which they more of}eeme, the fauour ofmelt They thinke, becaufethey fet againfi Cod by flelhlycour_ fes , theyfhall (at lea) be fet by,by Heftily men: but they cannot be hid long, e.To.o.2 S. and this hope will fails them,as it halt donemany, who for a while fpread as the greene bay, P/a.3 7.3Sand after a little while , were cut downe as the greene grails, fal. 9a. 5.6.Htff.7, 1.8.9, to day ï great graceat Court, to morrow;or beforenight n greatdifgracein prifon. In the turneof the wh.eele,turned fromhonor to bafencife, and from open liking toopen contempt -. A comfort to the righteous:for, theyhaue Godscourto senance, though theycannot haue bad mens good willes theyare in with God, who can and will maintaine their true credits,whrfoeuerfpeakes again if them > andifGod be with them, mensculiwines (hall be reconciled , or doe them noharme. Nay, when the nameofthe wicked íhall rotte,Prau. r o.7.thatis,rotteaboue ground, as his carcatfe doch under;the memoriall of theheft fhall bebleffedj and a Mot.26 their glory (a) _without end. X 3. He that bath the keepingof their names, will preferue their good name as fare ache doth their faluation : there+ fore is it written , that they fliall, be had ineucrlafling red xnembrance.P/al, a i 2.6, And is it not fo ? Is not Nabob: namenow in allrouthes better then either thecurfed natneof ñhhab that was fold.to fine, or the carrion-name of hoebeithat was gïuen to dogges ? and who Both not nowmore honour Mardacharthat was fo poore anddiis pifed , then hee loth in.falent Haman-, vvhofc natale f© 3iaone for a tine' 1ightnedwith the gloriousbeamcsofhis Prince
of theRichman,and emaruf. Princes countenance upon him e And what comparifon now betweene Peter,Parel,laroes, with other Apoflles and Martyrs ofChrift , and their periecutors g the one to firma pie in the warid,and the other fo great t Whtc; wa1 clothed inpurple,. fie. Out now againe to this richman; who is defcribedhem' by hisclothing, and byhis fare : for his clothing, it wastog curious , and with to much pride and affe&ation 9 elfe both colonrand-fnenei e might hare tolleratcdin fo rich a man : for it is not vraiawfull for great Mento pue on other,that is morecoftly, both apparel! and colours, then. pooremenmay. Bic this manput onpride with his appa. r-ell, and worehfs garments as the efreets ofa lofty minder with thecolatempt of ehepoore: or,hewore (Irangeappa, roll, and fuck as flood altogether in the putting on :there fore ishisapparell cenfured,and he for wearing it Where learne,that all intemperance in appareil, and a- Doer:,, bufe of apparel!, is vnlawfull toall : as, when it isother then belongeth to thefete, Deut. 21. g.which may caute, and be leader to fotne-horrible fìnne: when it is coffly, that is, shoneour eflateand meaner, with eaceffe, or with firet. chingofthe cloth, t.7tm..a.9.u'hen it is light for thefa(Hon or colour; called, Prow.7. ao.whorifh apparell,andZephapes i.8.flrangeraiment:when it is not made.according to tern-- perance and firamefa(lr:es, which is theApoflesfalbibr,,r 1"eí.3.3 but according to entrynew fathion that comes a when as heere it is putonandwornewith the impeachment ofhofpitaiitie, andethercharitable deeds to the poore: for, fo attiring our , weafter a fort vnclothe theta ;and wearing ourappareil with filch contempt,wcare out theirs. And lafily, when itisworne, as theenfgneofaaarrogant and hautic mrnde: filch was, the flaringapparelf of the daughters ofSion , fo much and Iharplycenfured byEfsty 3.16,17.1 8.1g.&c.AndGod-will cloth fuck, for then, gar- 3ent ofglory, which garments of fhame. Keaton :they B3 gl;
fe. I. 6 ofthe RichvonAndLazarus. that were fuch appareil , forget their Chriflian calling, which is,towalkefoberly.?'it. Z.Iz.SecondIy,fuchput their heauen in their apparell, and make it theirhappines, not to goe modeflly in their clothes as Saints, but curioufly and finely in them, as this rich man thirdly,fuchmake netsof theirapparell to intrappe themfehaes and others in it and not onely nets ofwantonneffe , butfponges todrinkevp both theirowne,and the poores prouifion. A reproofe to the maner of attiringvfed inourdayes, and to the proud and chargeable apparell that is fo corn. mon now: for doe not meaneperf©ns nowoffend heere. in,as well, andordinarily , as Gnfull Diue3 ? They that can not fparea penny to a Poore man,can find inough tofpare for their great ruffes,and Glke fhooe-firings: euen feruing men,and feruant maids,thac receiuebut final wages,haue a common hand in this vanitie ; and by their apparell it is hard to know, who is Dicser,and who Lazarsss. It is but a fimple maide that weares not as fine litinenas her mif}reife: and that man is as no body,andofno fafhinn,that is not af- bone in the fafhion as his mailler, or, (ifhe be fofer in his clothes) beforehim : How neare doth thiscone to the cu+ riousand vnmercifullapparell ofthis rich man ? therfore it is not curiofìriein Miniflerstodealein thefe matters , buta neceifarie and charitable labour in them to preffe them to the full in their Sermons and exhortations: for, though fine garments beGods gifts, and the riches ofthe earth , Gods goodnes , yet the abufe of thefe to all proud and vnfober couerings;is our fhame, Our apparell was giuen vs tohide our nakednes ; Gen. 3.21. which nakednes camefrom our fall and iinne : and fhall weglory in that,whichat firfl was, and to this day,is the couer ofour fhame: Is it feemely that a theefe, faced from the gallowes, fhouldbe proudof the halter that fhould haue hanged him : or ifthis bevnfeeme. ly, as littleand ill doth it become Chriflians to beeproud ofthat , that fhould as much humble them , as the halter the theefe ? What difference then, I meane for anygood or foundmatterofreioycing,betweene thy proudclothes and his
of the Rich Ingn,andLamm. his poore halter t Adam , inhis innocencie, though naked, needed no cower; his nakednes being then fo full ofgIori ous brightnes,or astheSunne in hisftrength : our appareil, the braueli we ruton, wouldhaue as much obfcured it, at a dance cloud no.o., cloth thecomfortable, Sunne : but euer fince I'nne intred ; all is contrarie :and what thould haue beetleour glory , is now become our flume. Therefore to make fo muchofour fhame , and with fo great neglec`l: of betterduties to our neighbour and the poore, fo to trimme it, what is it but an int; llerable andcruel I vanitie e Againe, who would glory of the ragges that arewrapped about his wounds ? Ourattire, what cloth it but hide, in our bodies, thewoundofou f Il : andwhat glorying thenofour pou deli couer, there being no better matter in it ? The world, while it was yong; was Pimple and plaine ; now in the do* tageofit, it is clothed with double,not garmentsonly, but hearts, Prors.3 t.2 s. Ourfathers kept fheepe,Gen.43.2.we,their children,fcorne to were the wooll : the garments that God made to fldam and tohis wite,,ourfirli parents,were coates ofskinnes.Gen® 3.2i. Chri(is garment was plain, and fimple without feame.Ioh. t 9.2 3.andmany,whom theworldwas not word thy of,wandred about in theepe-skinnes. Hebr. t r .37.that is,in leather coates,being deliitute,affiieted,and tormented: which I fpeakenot,to bind all,rich and poore, toone kind ofapparell without difference ; or as if I thought that rich men might not put on more rich attire then other men : but iufily to reprove by theword sand by filch examples of holy men,all fond affeetatioM and lightnes t his way. Jacob knew his fonnescoatefo foone as his ether fonnes letpbs brethren,brcughtit to . 3 3 him. Geri.; 7.3 .He knew that it was the f,mc coate which he made to his fonne lo.;ph. The coates offantafiicall men and women of the faf rion,at this day,cannot be knowne to be coatesof Gods making : for, bring them to God, and the Poppets in them ; andwill he fey T'hefe are my fonne s coates : or. may net the diuell ra+ Cher fay; Thde are my fonnes ; for I, made them there- 33 4 coates ;
s oftherich man,arrdLazarus: coates ? But nay fpeechof thefe vanities rather crauetharei formation then any imbittering ;and therefoecpraying all humorifls in appareil t©confiderbetimes , and before the decree which is gone forth, be fealed with force notable iudgetnent,what GodbyZepharz; bath thr atned again flall that are clotbedwithf$range,thatis,ronflrousgarmëts ;which is that he for there , by act-suing ofof mannndGeafi, Zeph. r .8.I leaue,what might befurtber fpoken,tocenfidera. . ie.2. tion, andcome to a fecondv fe. For, ifinternpfrance in appa cell be cenfured by the word ;then it is not true that the Scripture tnedlethnot with appareil,neitherbath any mea !tire tomake it by :for the holyGhofi (as hath beene !hewed) loth in it, fend vs a moafit meorurefor all thegarmentswe pnr on. And where foie, that fay-to their proud coatesand vpflart fïwdingales, as Saul to Samuel, honour me before this p- ople,t.Sam. t5. 3 o. are of opinion -that the appareil is not to be reg,rded,butthe heart ; heere we fee,that theapparell is the fureafhewinglgne and infcriptiora of the fool ifhheart that weareth it. Itadcede, the intemperance ofall ourfrange erpparell is from our heart; but when our heart hath once laidit yvpon our backe, we mayreade an intemperate heart there : and fo long as the leafe is greeneen the topofthe tree, weknow that allfappe is notgonedonne to the roote. There. fore, when we feefuch fireamers ofpride info manygarifh tires andattirings ofmen andwomen , andofwomen !pea cially ; we may fay there dwelles a proud heart, a vaine heart, a wanton heart, and a heart of nomodeflieorgood flay. Suchwas the.clothingofthis richman; which is tiler, fore branded by the holy Ghoft, vneler the taamesofpHrple andfneltnnen, andvnder the daily and wanton vfeoffuch pride. fwolneclothes. Heerein, there is no'doubt but hee offended greatly ; but heercinexprcfly and principally,that in all this wafle andgloryofappareil, hewas cruell.to Lao a;artus :and in this, hehath but too many followers at this day, whocarry all goodhoufekeeping with them in their trunkes to London, orfnme other great Citie'or Towne that theypurpofe to line in,andnot atthe Epbrathaboftheir owne
of the rich max,andLazarus: ®wnehomc,RiItk.4. Ix, And heere it is true which is Epos ken by one ; that there sear newer good hou/e kept dy Gentle- men,/ince the Tailor rtsea(teredtheir/ ni by thejard. Sornuch for the Rich mans clothing, his funaptuousfare followcth. endfaredfu, pttse ripener) day. What , cuery day and that fumptucrufly, orchoifely cuery day ?this was a double finne: one,thathewas glum fa much to hs belly ;another, that he was giuen foconti. nually to it : one, that hefed fo curioufly and daintily ; an- other,that he fed fo, not at certaine times, but daily :and by filch fiiiingc.f the belly with I:wares , and fluffingof the headwith drinkes , made himfelfe altogether vnfit for any goodduri s calling. I doe not fay but the cup may iomi times overflow : and that a - Chrifiian maybe morecheer, full, and feede more liberallyat one dale, then at another. For, euen Chrifl at a marriage in Cana, appror tied a more liberall and fill diet, then at another time het wouldhaue done, loh. 2 9. But howdoth this iufifle that ftelnesofbread which wasSodcmr, and thisrtchm2nr finne? .Etech:I 6.49, Cs r, howdoth it warrant at any time,anycar ting out of Godsfeare e and if no fuch eating at Any time, how much leffe then anycómonnesthis way? Two things thereforeare reproueablein thisvoluptuous rich man. The firll,tl:at he was fo curious for his belly : the fecond, that he was euery day fo, for whichhis foule is in hell. Out ofbothwhich welearne,that all abufeofineatesand Doc`lr. I. di inkes to excetfe,is a finne to hell. In the 13 ,Chapter to theRorn nes,the dpoftle ofthe Gentiles, Saint ?R.'1, hauing exhorted fucbbelecuers at Rome as hadpot on tine ar41e ît of liQht,to keepe the path of life; faith, Not ingluttonyand c¿runkennes : as ifhehad faid, thefe are out ofyour way to filuation :walke therefore honefily, that is,in temperance, and not in thefe , ifyou meane to be faced, Rom.. 3.13. From whence it muff nc:edes follow,that they offend to damnation, who di inke as much as a Horfe,andnot fo fo- berlyas lice : and who make it theirexercife to Bate 2nd C drinke
to (ftheRice man,and Lazarus. drinke : eatingasbealls,who eate all the day and partofthe night. But the fame Apolille fpeaketh plainely as much, Phi/.1.19. telling the Church to whichhe there wrot,that theirend is damnation,whofe belly is their God,For,thefe are the vncleane hogges that the Diuels of intemperance enter into, andcarie with violenceinto the great deep, Luc. g.3 3. So Efate) louing his belly fo nnch,and the bleffing fo litrle , is fir-named prophane,or one that could not be faued,H,Ì'r. t 2 .16. And,what dothour Sauiour 'mane, Luc. .2 ì.34,ff carefully to forewarne his difciplcs and folio. tiers with a take hecde, that yor.r hearts be not overcharged with [rsrfettis:g anddraan *ennes ; ifhehad not held thefe to be Prong lets to faluation ? They that aremaried to thefe ; faynot as theother ghells did, who refufed to come tothe great upper of Chri; Ipray thee haue vsexcufed; but with. out all blu 1h of shame, we haue married wines, and there- fore we cannot come: Luc.14 2o.That is,we will neither be good;nor feernegood. And for this, fore haue netvn- htly compared our Tap houfes and Tauernes (as men vfe thet'n now) to the lave of the /reinSamp/ons hand , which laid the Philàflim s heapes vpos heapes, ludg. i 5.16, For the world hathflaine histhoufands,. but thefe haue flaine their ten tbounds, r.Saìs.18. ,and not with a mortali wound, but immortal to eternall death. But that allabufe of the creature to excetfe is a finne to hell, may further bee prcued. The reafons. For (fins) it is a wafleof the goodcrea. turc , a?ufng that to (-nine which might haue comforted many,perhaps,haue faued the lines of force, And what are Rich but theeuesto their brethren ,Prow.3.27,and murthe$ rers of their brethren, and thetnfelues ? He that robbesa man of that which is his, ioa theefe: And fuch thecues are they that eate thepoore,that is, that which is theirs, at their tables ofexceffe. Sohee that keepes away the oile from the lampe, puts it out as well as he that quencheth it with wa- ter : and filch are they , who deuoure that bread which is the poorc mans life : tbcir hand is in his blood as well as theirs
OftheRichMa»,anALazaras. t i theirs,whooppreffe him todeathby taking awayhisbread. Now, doe theeues andmurtherers offend to damnation : and doe not voluptuous theeues,and murtherers offendfo too ? Secondly, filch an abufeof the creatureoppreffeth the heart with frtrfetttvg and drrankennes : and how can the heart fooppreffed,and perfon lining in fucha tradeofeaceeding looke to be faced e Thirdly,it is flat idolatrie, making the belly a God. Old idolaters turned the image of a heat intoGod , and thefe new , turne the imageofGod into a beaft. But idolatrie is a finne; and are not idolaters fin- nersunto hell ? Fourthly,it is a chaisew adultery todrawe it in.For fuch eaters in'exce1Ì ,anddrinkersout ofmeafure cannot be (b) chafl'eperfons ;or there is no fleeping in thefe, and watching again ftadultery :and who can lay on b Prou. more fewerbut bee hail haue a greater flame e Ier.5.8. 2 3 :3o. Now,can not adulterers without repentancebe faced? and 3 3, Thal' not thatthat makethadulterers, be a fin= to dam. nation 2 Heerewe fee in what a fearefiull (late they flandofwret. chednes, and perdition fromGod, whofollow that curfed fellowhip which men call good f llowhip. For whither Both it leade thefollowers, but to'the houfewhere thedead are ; Prof,. 9. t 8. De4th is in the pot : 2. Ki41..4.4o. Hell and death in their drunken pors : but ifwe will not be damned with fuchmatcs,wemuff not follow theirdamnable wales; that is , their potter of exceifo , and pipesof fmoke :and where filch liueto gate, we that wouldnot be iudged fuck, muff Bate to liue toGod. There aremanyEf«ssnow,and their number is without number that hunt all for the belly in thewidefield ofan Fpicurih-life :but we muff be ofan- other number,andfollow another courfe,that meane tofol. low the Lambe,or to be the.fir( frafitcs to God,a»dto Crrff : Apor;. x4,4. And we that hanethe hopeoftheSaints, muff feparatefrom inch, alwai.es in affe c ion,and as muchaswee may in body;felfe,as we delightin their company on earth, we muff looke to beare them company in hell. Let them confider this, who can take no filch delight in the fel. C 2 ltwt'thip MEW
Vfe.z, I 2 of the Ricbmos,andLazarac. lowfhip of the Saints, as they take plcafurcin the large ref, lowfhipofthofe drunken companions, who likeafprea ding canker ínfc&Towne and Crauntrie. hmay be,ifwe mote not ,rith them voeto thefameexcef feof riot , or be not combined infellowthip with them , when they thuspoure ant their heart to wiekednes,they iril1(peakemill ofvs, z . Pet..¢, 4:yet let vs turnefrom fuch,ifwe wouidnot be turned into hell with them, and with this rich man, one ofthe conipa. nk : for better bewill fp®ken offer gooddesdes,thcn well for bad. A terrour to all that snake it their trade to cate and drink.ein excel-Fe :for finch offend to eternal' death. In the days ofNoe theyate,theydraniZe,that is,they did both cef- fuely : Luk. i 7.i7 ÿ and as they weredrownedin filch ex cef e, fo they were in the waters that tooke them away. So' Sedom, burningwith fuch lufis, was burnt with fire, and burneth now in hell fire, Itede.7. Chriflians are called to íèruein the hall, not in the kichen; to fèrae God, and not that which carnal' men make their god , the belly. We muffprat an the Lord lefees Chrü1, Rom. 13 . z4: and ¡hall we thinke to put on him, and to keepe onflefh eThebody is but thegarment ofthefoule eand is the garment better then the body , the body then the foule ; Or is not the body more worth then raiment ? and fo the body leffe worth then the foule, being but the raiment of it ? Why then is there fo much care for thebelly to f ede it, when the foule is fo little cared for, to fane it ? fpecially feeing that in fuch careofour be'flies,andlittle careofour foules, we can haue nohope to befaued ?Let them confider, whoglue their time and foules to this vngodly lout ofmeates anddrinkeg in cxcefle.There are that gather by theOmer,andgatebythe Ephah, Exod. z 6.3 6, that is , whereonedifh were inough, they muff haue tenne: andplaine Maifler Noma'mull feat} like a King, i awn. 2 á.3G. Though therewas oddesbe. tweene Beniamiat meffeandhis brethrens,fiue for one : Gotta' 4.3.34,yet nowmen fare but couríely,except they fare bet- ter, oras Well' as farre their betters doe. The fanne o Ens
Ofthe RichmanandLazarus z his Con nes hash taken holdvpon thefe dayes, wlieregn the cu(tom eofour. temperate Ancellors is notkept. Fortneanc perfons are not contented with foci fle#h : theymufihauc Manna and Q.Diles, fodand rolled too , or they-firenot well .t.Sam.a, a 5; In our quaffing cuppes, wefacrifice to health,and fpeake ofhealths,when weprepare for nothing fedTe, and thecontrarie followed: ; wherein we doeas fame ofthe heathen did in the daies of facrifice to their idolsfor health for facrificing for health, theybanqueteddrunken- ly.-to t-hepreiudice oftheir health. But takewe heedeofthe pottage to red, Gen.2 5.3 o, that is, cfthe:rivewhen itfZew- eth redin theoil z3.3,r :andofourmorfellswhen they baitevs with their pleafantnes in thedifh , leaf with Efacr (that wasprophane, - and acunninghunter ofthefe things) we thinke the time long , till we haue eaten and drunkea- Way theblefing. One telles a tale of a certaine Bird,which bath theface ofa man , and yet is fo fierceofnature, that imetirne in her hunger fhé will prey vpon Man. This Bird (faith myAuthor) comming to the waterto drinke, and feeinga facein it (which is her owne) like theface of that Manwhichbefore fhe dcuoured ; ingreat farrow for one flainby her fo likeher felfc,rheneuerafter eithereats or drinkes, but beates herfelfe to death. I will not iu(fikethe tale :but methinkes all- drunkards and great dettourers,. (not for any'want,as that Bird,but for wantonand damna- blepleafures) Mould conceiue great farrow ; great er then that Birddid , for killingof one-; notlike themfelues, but their very felues. Me thinites; ifthey would fee that face in their cuppes ofwine,and glafresofífrong drinke,the faceof that Chriffianman, whofe graces andvertues, fo many in one man theyhaue beene the deathof theycouic not; (hawing reafon , which the Birdwe fpakeofhath not, and being greater murtherers by farre) but pierce thetnfe1nes` throughwithmany forrowes, nottodeath, but to true life by foundrepentance. Or,how can they heare either of a flrongman , or a fober man, or a wife man , and not be wounded with flings ofhorriblefeare, in the lends crieof C 3 . their
14 oftbeRichwan,and Lazarus. their coiifciences, telling them that they haue flainéfoma, ny men in themfelues ? And may theynot fay :ofwife, we haue made our felues fooles; oftlrong,weake ; offoberby calling,druiaken and more then brutifhby the cutlome of finne e But when they fha',l enter intomeditation ofa farre worfe ¿late, by fuch lulls in the body cruelly pulled upon them to damnation, ifGodbe not mercifull to them; nay ifthey benot mercifull to themfelues to weepe prefently and bitterly for all their vnfober conuerfation and turne to God, in a iut} hatred ofa courfe oflifefomurderousand ungodly : I fay,when they Thal thinke rightlyoftheir èf}ate fo pittifull and terrible,caufed by themfelues; howcan they but beamazed with a horrible dread,and fo pailee therellof their dayesin feare, that they cone not intocoridenv nation ? But (fecially) this cruell rich man wascondemned in that which he did , becaufe he did it with thecontempt of the poore. Then, thougha man goe not apparelled as this man dìd,nor fare as he fared,that is,fumptuoufly or choife. lyeuery day : yet, ifwith him', he forget to (}retch out his hand to theneedy , hemay bedamned as he was: though he haue not that which he had, yet ifhe lacke that which he hadnot, namely, the care ofthePoore; he may goe tohell, For, there are more waies to hell then one: and thevnmer- .. cifull,as well as the theefe and rnurtherer (hall goe thither. Not onlyhee that getteth his goods ill ; but he that fpends them ill andwantonly, or holds t ,em in couetoufly and cruelly 1 when there is neede of his mercy, Ihall beare his condemnation, whofoeuer hebe. Wemay fee it heere in this rich man : for we doe not reade either that he gatehis riches and wealth iil,orCookeany thing by oppreflion from the poore and Lazarus ; it was fufficient matter to hiscon- demnation in hell, that he did notvfe his riches well, and' to the reliefeofrhepoorein nliferie. Doan. 2. Where learne againe, that Chritlians (ifthey would not' bedamned) mutt not onely not oppreffe the poore memo berso&Chrifl, but reline, and doe for them in their near- fide)
of theRichman,andLazarus. I y fitie,as Godbath dealt the meafure unto them ofhispower andgift to doe it with For the fentenceof the great day proceedethagainfl the damned on Chrifls left hand, in this formeofwords : Dcpartfrommelee occurred intoeuerlaf ng fire. The reafon isgiuen : For Iwas an bunk red,andyeegat:e m. nowore : 1 thirJled, andycegame me no drin1Ze r 1 was Jiran er, andyee lodged me not : naI ed,andyee clothed tee not fccke,andsnprifon, andyee virited lase not. The Judge dothnot fay ; I was hungry , and yee woke away my bread : and thirily, and yee deceiued meofmy drinke : or, I was hare boucles, becaufe yee mademe fo : and naked, foryou kept away my clothes.Nor dothhe fay ; I was ficke, and yeea£ flit edme, nor yee call meinto prifon ; but I was ficke and in prifon , andyee carne not to me. So the inhabitants of Meroz were accurfed ; not for taking part withthe enirnie, but for not tak t the Lords part againffbic enimies, Iudg. 5. 2 3 . And the axe is laid to the mote ofeuery tree that 6rinAeth forth nogoodfroit,though it bringforthno bad;for the cutting ofit dow;setodeath f,e14 2at.3.to,thoughChriflians,wlio fhould be trees of ribhteoufnesin the Church , as it were garden ofGod,beare noeuil fruit,yetiftheybeare rogood, there hangeth ouer their heads an axe ofcutting downe Our goodworkes cannot faue vs ; but our euill, or want of good,are able to condemne vs. This plea in mans Court, that we haue done no manharme, is good : but it will not hold in that Court , where not onely the cull! done is iud- ged, but the goodundone mull be anfwered for. To this agreeth that prouerbiall fpeech ofSalomon : He that turrerl> away his carefrom the trieof thepoore , he faith not,he that makes him cry,fhalcry timefeefe,andnot be heard,Prsti.21.1 3. That is, thoughhe fall into fuck miferieas !hall make him crie, and that to God andman for helpe ; yet neither God nor man flailhelpe him. So it isproued,not only that we flhould`not hurt the prore, ifwe will be faued ; but that, (as their needes !hall require) we rnuf helpe them, to our bca abilitie, ifwe will not perith with the cruell thatcannot be faued.
_ of t heRich woodLazard: The reafonsare. Euery breach of the commandement deferueth hell and fecond death :Gal.; .so rand this is one: Secondly, and moreparticularly; to omit thisduty when there iscaure,and we haue abilitie,what is it but with finne, to keepe in our hands that which is Godq part, and the pooresportion ; and fo to beguilty of,both íacrilegeagain God , and robbery againfl men ? Prou.3. zy.When God makesvs rich, hemakes vs but rich Stewards, with a charge not to keepe the Maiflersgoods inour owne hands, but to giue them to the proper owners , the poore. Neither is it robbery onely to raeglea this feruice of God to Gods poore, buta kindofmurther: Ecclur.34.22,orakilling of thofe by cruelty , whofe liues we might faue by aimes. If then,either theft,or ,facriledge, or rnurther, or all three dc. ferue deatheternal' ; then that whichis all the three,not to minifler to the neceffitiils of Gods poore , deferueth it Thirdly,thevifr-uitfull tree cret dcznse for theßre.Math.3: io, and fo muff all vnfaithfull, that is,vnworking Chriflio ansbe for hei-lire. %, t: A reproofe of thofe who thinke and fay, they may doe what they will with their owne :where, firff, theyare much deceiued, by calling that theirs, which is their Ma- ilers, Lu4. 16. i, z. For the earth it hit, Pfalm.z4. t. and thefe things that are in it he hathdcliuered vnder account to rich men, as tohis Stewards, to lay themout; not as to Treafurers,to lay them vp ; or, if as toTreafurers, to lay themvp : yet fo tokeepe them, that they be ready alwaies tobring them cutfer the feruiceoftheir Soueraigne, and the goodoftheir fellow fcruants : or,ifthefcearthly goods were theirs, were it lawful' orreafonable to vie them, a. gainfl the glory of the bountiful' Giuer ? If my Prince fhould rayfenice to honour, were it tolerable, were it not vilany to turneit again(} his Crowne and Honour? or, if a man fhould giue mee a dwellinghoufe in the mid(' of a Towne, migh_ I fet it on fire becaufeitis mine? and,may I kill a man with a wer+pon , becaufe the weapon is mine wne, wherewith I flew him,? Did Noah well to bee ,1r:rna
oftherkch mt s,anaitazarus; 17 í vunket with thefruiteof his owne Vineyard? Gett.9. 2o. z z. And who knoweth not that a man may abufe his owne ? and that he lhould doe, (not all he may) but what he lawfully may ? But to put thenatter out of queflion He that. is Lordofall thefe things , of whomwee hold in capite, that is, in chiere, hath ba leafed them out to the fonnes of men : and hee that is Mailerofthis great houfe, wherein weare but Tennantsfor Bues, as kath pleatedhire to fit our terme therein , hath comni;ted his goods to wealthymen , but with a limitation to vies appointed by himfelfe,who is abfolute,&may dowith hasnone what bemit, Math.2o. z 5. He is theowner, and foueraigneowner of all, and wehaue but leafesin thefe thingsfrom Him, and that with certaine tefiuations : As firtl;that we makeno wade or fpoile: forwemay notconfume thefegood things on our luth. Secondly , that weperforme the Lords fer uice,keepehis Sabbarhs,as itwere Court-daies,and appeare in thealiembly, when thepeople come together to wor/hip be- fore theface oflehorta. Thirdly, thatwe doe not dense hind his rents, the prallèwhich it diteDaato his name :andwhen hee fends tovs by the poore hisreceivers, that we fend to hire by them thefruits of hisowne ground, by dealingmerci fullywith them;and mot mill entreating them,as did thefe cruell husbandmen in the Gofpel, whom therefore the Lordofthe Vineyard clftroied,Math.2 7 03 4.35.3 6. &c. For thegodly poore are his Baliues , and the gatherersofhis rents,wh© hefendeth tovs.Fourthly,that weacknowledge ourhomage by fubmirting to his lawes, and theordersof bit Court. Fifcly, that we abufe not our Lords land and goods to themaintenanceofhismimics as they who feede the bellies ofthe wicked, and flame his poore. Sixthly, that we pluck e not vphis quick, fets, andioi-ieland to land, till there be no more roonse, Efa.5 .8, or place it to wit to be taken for our money. Andlattly,that when anyferuiceis to bedone for him, in the Church by the Minitler, and in thecome mon-wealth by the King andhis Miniflers,wegiuewiling_ flyvato Cafar his tribute,and tothe Minuter his tithes.Fai. I) ling
z, tS oftheRichman,andLazarus. ling in there, the Lord of our wealth and hues buy take thefele3fesfrom vs, andpronounce all theelates we hold ofhim , forfaited and voide by mifbehauiour. So he dealt with hisSteward, from whom he tookeaxvaythe officeand place whichheabufed, Luk i 6. 2.3.And it is his great mer- cy, that he Both not, in like fort, prefently enter vpon vs, and our eflates,whohaue fooften and long by fundry naifi prifions, deferued a caflingoff. Now (then)letvs giueall there conuderati.ons their duerefpeet,and fay,ifthefe thing: maybecalled our owne , for the which we are tègiue to the Maifler fo !Idaaccount, when he fhall fay bydeath, to euery oneof vs ;them canfi no longer he Steward, Lake 16.2. whichbeing fo,men haue final caufe to beproudof this,that God bath let themvpin worldlyrichesand greatnes. For, towhommuch iscommitted , of themmuch (hall be requireda. áaine,Lt41 2.48. The more menhatre,the more menhaue to anfwere for : and the more wealth ; the more billes of debt to further, either their faluationor condemnation by Godsiufl iudgement. An admonition toail, vpon the penaltie ofdamnation, to giue to Gods poore,as God bath giuen to thenn,andblef fed them.God bath fo cómanded,'Veu. i S. i i.He that giues ell,commands vs to ttuetoail thatflandinneed.E/ay fo fàith,and fheweth why.His reafon is : theporeareourfle/h,Efa.58.7. Brethren are neere ; but our felues arenearere. One bro. ther may doefor another:but who is fovnkind that he will not doe for himfelfe ? It is a finiteofthefpirit to cotter the naked with aparr ent : Ezeeh. i 8. 7 : but fgneof an illjpirit to vncouer him,or to keepehis couer fromhim : Andhe is n® goodman who hauing two coates, will not giue one, ra- ther then fee his troth. r perifhfor want of one, ¿uk3.1 Our Sauiour, whobeing rich,maele himfelfepore to make vs rich, will haue vs togiuealines offueh things aswe haue,Luk x i.4r. That requireth vs togiuealmes,either in moo ney, or in that which is money worth. And therefore, in Lstk. i z. 3 3,hebids vsfell th it we haue, that we may haue to giue to furti as neede. For fome might fay , I would wil. Tingly
ofthe Rich rnan,d,adLazar ': 19 linglygluefomething to Clirill in hispoore,but I haue lao thing to glue. Therefore faith Chrifi ; you fay youhaue nothing togiue; buthaue you nothing to fell ? no corne in your Barrie ? no 1luffe in your houle ? Ifany,rather then your brother Mould perifh, fell it, andwhen it is fold, giue it tohim. Neither doth Chritl limply command this, but with prornifeofa recompence, who may command with. omit. Forhe faith : Giueout of thefe bagges, and will giue you other and betterbagges. And it is lure, ifwe lay vp a penny in heaven, we (hall find apound there : hethat fcatters there(hall finda large increafe.Ifwefowe any thing vponChrifl lefus, the feedeofreliefe that is call vpon hies, is bellowed vpon a thankful! Toile ; it will returne with vo fury what we lay out vpon it. Chrifl is nobarren ground, and a cup of coldwater fowen vpon him , will rile to the great haruefl of a cupof glory. Alfa and further, forthe temporali returne, theLord by Efay telsys, that, ¡fivere- fre/h thehungry and troubledPaine, hee willfatisfie our foule ín drought , andHake our bonesfat ;andwe jlealbe likefpringt of rater, whole water: faile not. E¡a.5 8.i o: Heere are very largepromifes,lndhe that maketh them isfaithful], for is it not agreatblef3ingofGod to beprouidedoffpririgs ofwaa ter in agreat drouth ?isnot the fattingof thebones in fame common Jeanne Ire fent vpon others for a punilhment, fomething worth: Is itnot good prouidence so lay vp that in our daies of plenty, which will bePure, not onely to comeagaine, but towatch the time, when forour rieede, it (hall be moll welcome tovs aand whowouldnot giue, fo to rcceiue againe ? But all this is pronaifedhereby theLord vnder the broad feale of his word. And why fhould wee (then) be foflacke in the liberal.l layingout of fomething for an euill day e whyMouldwe feare tocall our breadvp. on f ich waters,where it will befound againe ? and tomake Godour pay- wtai(fer by gifting to hispoore , Prou.i9. i 7,feeing all that wefogiue lhallbe repaid fo finely , and with filch increafe ; But filither to prouoke vs toa worke ofcharitie fogainful' , andfo commanded : let vsremember that it is D z not
d Ofthe Rieb rna$yandLazarus. notonely a deede ofmercy, but workeofittftice t®glue to' Gods poore: fo faith Dautd, Pfal. t i 2.9 ; wherehe telles vs that agood man is alway doing good,and that his righte, oufnes, that is, worke thereofabideth euer ; and not for a while, or for a fewgood fits, Byrighteoufnes, he meaneth the vvorke of mercy to the poore, which hee calleth not changeable, but conaant mercy: and he calleth it righted oufnes, bccaulcit is not an arbitrarie but commandeddu. t r : nor at our ow nechoife,vvhick we maydoe,or leavevnm done ; but ftraightly enioined. And therefore as the rich haue right to the maineeflate by Gods bowlry5fo theouer. phis ,and that which theymay ípare,is thepoores byvertue of that donation. That therefore whch they may fpare is nottheir ovine, but thepaores ;from whom , ifwith this richmanand merciles, theywithhold thecrunm;nnes oftheh: fuperfluitie,with him theymaycry, when there fhall be no bearing. Looke lam 5.1 . 1 tell thee, thepoore haueas good right to thewalk bread of thy ellate, .as thouhaft to the full table it felfe ; and it is ratified to themby the fame authori- tie,that the larger portion is fealed vrrto thee.Butheere flan. d M.Io. deth the differenceas (d) one faith; Godbath giuen vnto Down. who thee thy riches immediately, but to them hegiueth theirs bathwrit- mediately bythee. But toprecceede a little farther: Chrifl ten fully and Iefus in his lait dayofiudgement,wilpronounce thattobe done tohimfelfe which is done to his oore A4ath.2 ofthis Zr- p r 540% gument,in and contrarily,that to be taken from him,which is eieried to booke thcm,v.45. Now tell me , ifChriil himfelfe Mould come ofbenefi. tobegge lodging ofthee, wculd(t thou not glue him led- cn£e. ging,and (ifnee were) thevfeofthineowne bed ? When a poore Chriflian Both as much , it is all on e, V5 if Chrift raid fo by him: and thereforewhatthoudenie t to a Chriftie an , thy Sauiour will take' as denied tohimfelfe in that Chriftian, and fay; Forafmueh a, yeedid it net to the leafl of thefe, yeedidnot to me ; t'hereforefhallyee goe ettoester/afling paine,as the righteousíhal'pap to life eternal4Mat. 25.45_46. .But, Jell any fhuld thirke hinfdfenot tobe charged with gluing bccai%heis not riche theApoftle S.Pwtsl ieweth thaT
OftheRicbink;landLdzitrilit that this dutybelongeth both to richandpoore;Eph.4. a.. Wherethepoorelabouringman is commanded topracflife loue, and the duties of loue uponhis needy brother. And ifwe would haue an example for it, we have agood onein thepoore widowwheca.iher twomites into theeoferoftbepoore, enrich was allthefigfiance thatfhe had,CAi!ar. i 2..43.4.4.God. will haue the poore (therefore) to fpare fomewbat oftheir pouerty , to the comfort of Ct,riil in his needy members. Now , ifthefe arguments and examples cantaot moue vs-, let vs knowa that the iudgements are certain -and will come, that are threatned again ft all mercileife rich nien fuch as Dimes heere. TheLord foabhorreth thiscrueltic of turningaway from the poore, thathe threatneth it,as onecf Sodom finnes,withfireandbrimfonefroraabeauen,Ezech.i Go. .49.And as he that gir:ethvnto thePoorefhallnot lace ; fo bee that brdeth hiwfcl fefrom him, Bald bane many acurfe,that many a plague from God , Prou.2 Q. :7. One is,he iball beg a drop ofcold water in hell, and it (]gall not be gicaen him>: Another, and that which containth all niiferies , plagues and curies is :bee hie, f lfe{hallcrie,and not be heard, Prore, 2 t > 13. Apittleffe eye that will not via his brother,and amere ciic(Te care that will not heareofhis brother in his neccfíity, God will not fpare , and goodmete will not pide : and fo that (hall be verified which lames faith, and threatneth p filch , or the holy Choi byhim : There f>a11be i# Inert iatcrcilefa to :im who bath l ewed no mercy, Iarrs.2.1: 3. The fruites that he reapeth, are fuch as the f_edewhich he bath fowen : He hash fowen the feeder ofcruelty , and he flrall reapeit : he lowed not mercy , and his iudgement (hall be withoutmercy Ï hewould not open his gates,to the poore;. and God whoopeneth his gates to them, will flint them a, gainfl him :bee' would not glue them the bread of his dogges,and God will not giue him the bread ofheauen.Hc' hated thepoore,and he that loueth his poore,will hate him: he denied the crurmes which Lazarus asked , and could not haue in hell that dropofwater whichheaslsed,.Somuch D 3 for
s oftheRich odn,andLaedar s: for that which is fpoken ofthe richman while heWasvpon the earth ; that which is fpokenof Lazarur,foIloweth. Verfe. tO. And there was a certaineTeager; namedLazarus. This poore man may be the patterne or mould ofthat other L }ate of men which we Lhall haue alwayes with vs: but f®,as by neitherflatesofrichorpoore,itcan beknowne or itidged whether amanbe lotted or hated ofGod, Ecclef For no man can fay: This is a rich man,therefore God lo ueth him. My reafon is , the one ofthefe was rich,andnot loued ; not becaufe he was rich,but becaufe he was naught : Theo- ther was loued, though poore ; not becaufe he waspoore, but becanfe hewas good. So that thisdiuerfitie offlares is indifferent, and from God : prouided that the rich man be. come lawfully rich , and the poore man be madepoore as Lazarusheere by fickneffe and fores,not by any intern. perate fpendings. Do&. t, And this teacheth that pouerty and riches arenot (imply cuill,but by abufe., Abraham,lfaac, lofeph, lob, and others were rich men,and yetgood men : AndRuthandLa4arur were poore, and not euill. Paulan excellent Apoille, and yet a pooreman, t. Cor.4,8 r Alfo, Peter, a worthy Apoflle, laid to thepoore creeple; Siluer and gold I haue none: and rich Salomon was a figure of the riches which we haue in Chriff. The reafons. The Lordma4ethpoore , andmaleth rich : 2.Saw.2,7 : or, thepoore andrich together, as patlingers who comming fromcontrarie quarers,meetein onemid way: and fohe that is rich to day, maybepoore tomorrow : but what f©llowes?The Lord is the maker ofthem both : That is,he that made them,makes thischangein them, Prou.t a.t: Nowwhat Godhath made, or dothmakecannot beeuill. Geu.t,31, Secondly,
oftheRichmn,itiidbluras; secondly,itis good that foreMould be fullto giue,and fore empty to receiue what is giuen, Deut; z 5,1 z. And if noman were inwant , who &hall be ferued a and who woulddoe feruice,as now,neceffitie compelling theme or, how cnuld mercy be (hewed, ifthere were not any to ex. ercife mercy on ? Thirdly ; God that by his lawehathforbidden to ileac, dothby thhe fame lawe allowe to a man his intereff and peace in that which ishis,exod.aoet S. And ifhe hauefuch title to it by Gods allowance : his hauingof it cannot be (imply euill. An inaru6tion,con tentedly to beare a pooreeaate, fee vfe. z; ing it is not euill ; and not couctoufly to affec`i: a wealthy life , feeing it is not good, but by good vfe. Ifourpurfe be full ofmoney, and ourfoule be esfull ofwickednes, what better are we : or rather how much worfe ? For, we haue cuili in our heart , andmore opportunities by a wealthy eílate (beingeuill) to vtter it : A rich euill man may farce goe beyond a poore euill man in deedes of wickednes. Andwhat doff thou knowe what bad wares are in thy heart, which thevenomofrichesmuff needes makewerfe, becaufe more corm .csbleby the infectious aireof thy example andauthoritic,beingmade rich andgreat: Which being fo ; what haft thougotten by thywealth fomuch de. fired , but more weapons to wound thy foule deeper to death? Befides ; can thy riches fauethee from death ? Heere we haue a man that was very rich, and yet died : or,can theydeliuer thee from hell ? Be as rich as thou maitl,as rich asthou hauegone to hell. Nay, they cannot cure theeofa poore ague, or from the leaf( of Gods firoakes faue thee : howmuch letTe can theyface thybody from death, or thy body and foulefrom eternal' death ? This fecondiv,Mould excite vs,ifwehauewealth, to be Vfe.2. thankful' to God for it ; forhee maketh rich : or ifwe be poore,to becontented ;for he maketh Poore. Nottohelpe our felues by vnlawfull or cunning fhifts, when we are poore: nor when Godhath made vsrich, todefiehim (as it D 4 were) 23
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